LAMA4: A Potential Drug Target and Biomarker (G3910)

Target Name: LAMA4

NCBI ID: G3910

LAMA4

LAMA4: A Potential Drug Target and Biomarker

Introduction

Laminin is a transmembrane protein that plays a crucial role in cell-cell adhesion and tissue architecture. It is a complex protein that consists of several subunits, including Laminin-8 (LAMA4), which is a subunit involved in the formation of the cytoskeleton and cell-cell adhesion. LAMA4 has been identified as a potential drug target and biomarker due to its unique structure, function, and involvement in various diseases.

Structure and Function

LAMA4 is a 21-kDa protein that consists of 118 amino acid residues. It has a unique organization, with the N-terminus containing a 10-amino acid residue, a 12-residue extension, and the C-terminus containing a 16-residue extension. The 12-residue extension is the longest extension in the family of laminins and is known as the C-terminal hypervariable region (HVR).

LAMA4 functions as a negative regulator of cell-cell adhesion by preventing the formation of tight junctions between adjacent cells. This is achieved by its ability to interact with the cytoskeleton and the cytosol. LAMA4 has been shown to regulate the cytoskeleton by preventing the formation of microtubules, which are essential for the transport of organelles to the cell surface.

In addition to its role in cell-cell adhesion, LAMA4 has also been shown to play a significant role in the regulation of cell proliferation and the development of various diseases. For example, LAMA4 has been shown to be involved in the regulation of cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and angiogenesis.

Drug Target Potential

LAMA4 has been identified as a potential drug target due to its unique structure and function. The C-terminal HVR of LAMA4 is highly conserved and can be targeted by small molecules. Several studies have shown that LAMA4 is sensitive to small molecules, such as inhibitors of the C-terminal HVR, which can inhibit its functions as a negative regulator of cell-cell adhesion.

In addition to its sensitivity to small molecules, LAMA4 has also been shown to be targeted by some anti-cancer drugs, such as taxanes and vinca alkaloids. These drugs work by inhibiting the spindle formation, which is a critical step in cell division and is necessary for the development of cancer.

Biomarker Potential

LAMA4 has also been identified as a potential biomarker for various diseases. Its unique structure and function make it an attractive target for diagnostic tests. For example, LAMA4 has been shown to be expressed in various tissues, including brain, heart, and liver. This makes it a potential biomarker for various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and liver diseases.

In addition, LAMA4 has also been shown to be expressed in various cancer types, such as breast, lung, and ovarian cancer. This makes it a potential biomarker for cancer diagnosis and monitoring.

Conclusion

LAMA4 is a unique protein that plays a critical role in cell-cell adhesion and the regulation of cell proliferation. Its unique structure and function make it an attractive target for both drug development and diagnostic tests. The C-terminal HVR of LAMA4 is highly conserved and can be targeted by small molecules, making it a potential drug target. In addition, its unique structure and function make it a potential biomarker for various diseases. Further studies are needed to fully understand its role in these processes and to develop effective treatments.

Protein Name: Laminin Subunit Alpha 4

Functions: Binding to cells via a high affinity receptor, laminin is thought to mediate the attachment, migration and organization of cells into tissues during embryonic development by interacting with other extracellular matrix components

The "LAMA4 Target / Biomarker Review Report" is a customizable review of hundreds up to thousends of related scientific research literature by AI technology, covering specific information about LAMA4 comprehensively, including but not limited to:
•   general information;
•   protein structure and compound binding;
•   protein biological mechanisms;
•   its importance;
•   the target screening and validation;
•   expression level;
•   disease relevance;
•   drug resistance;
•   related combination drugs;
•   pharmacochemistry experiments;
•   related patent analysis;
•   advantages and risks of development, etc.
The report is helpful for project application, drug molecule design, research progress updates, publication of research papers, patent applications, etc. If you are interested to get a full version of this report, please feel free to contact us at BD@silexon.ai

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