DKK-1 is a member of the dickkopf family and is a secreted protein with two cysteine rich regions and is involved in embryonic development through its inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway. DKK-1 is an antagonist of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway that acts by isolating the LRP6 co-receptor so that it cannot aid in activating the WNT signaling pathway. Moreover, DKK-1 was demonstrated to antagonize the Wnt/β-catenin pathway via a reduction in β-catenin and an increase in OCT4 expression.This inhibition plays a key role in heart, head and forelimb development during anterior morphogenesis of the embryo. Elevated levels of DKK-1 in bone marrow, plasma and peripheral blood are associated with the presence of osteolytic bone lesions in patients with multiple myeloma. Due to the role of DKK-1 in inflammation induced bone loss DKK-1 is under investigation as target for therapeutic strategies in medicine and dentistry.
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