The AKR1C4 Gene: A Promising Drug Target and Biomarker for Diseases

Target Name: AKR1C4

NCBI ID: G1109

AKR1C4

The AKR1C4 Gene: A Promising Drug Target and Biomarker for Diseases

Dihydrodiol dehydrogenase 4 (AKR1C4) is a gene that encodes a protein involved in the synthesis of dihydrodiol, a naturally occurring compound that has been shown to have a variety of biological activities and pharmacological effects. The AKR1C4 gene has also been implicated in several diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune disorders. As a result, AKR1C4 has emerged as a promising drug target and biomarker for a variety of diseases.

The AKR1C4 gene and its function

AKR1C4 is a member of the superfamily of cytoskeletal proteins known as thealkylamine kinases (ALKs). These proteins are involved in the regulation of a variety of cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, and metabolism. The ALKs are characterized by a characteristic domain that includes a catalytic active site, a hereditary instability loop, and a C-terminal hypervariable region (HVR).

The AKR1C4 gene encodes a protein with a molecular weight of approximately 18 kDa. The protein has four known functions, including:

1. Dihydrodiol synthesis: The most well-studied function of AKR1C4 is its role in the synthesis of dihydrodiol, a naturally occurring compound that has been shown to have a variety of biological activities. Dihydrodiol is a key precursor for the development of tissues, including hair, nails, and bones. It has also been shown to play a role in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and metabolism.
2. Cell signaling: AKR1C4 is involved in several signaling pathways that regulate cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, and metabolism. It has been shown to interact with a variety of protein substrates, including transcription factors, signaling proteins, and metabolic enzymes.
3. Neurodegenerative diseases: AKR1C4 has been implicated in the development and progression of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. Studies have shown that AKR1C4 is involved in the regulation of neurotransmitter synthesis, neuroprotective enzymes, and neurodegenerate protein synthesis.
4. Autoimmune disorders: AKR1C4 has also been implicated in the development and progression of autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. Studies have shown that AKR1C4 is involved in the regulation of immune cell function, including T-cell proliferation and differentiation, and the production of autoantibodies.

Drug targeting and biomarker potential

The AKR1C4 gene has emerged as a promising drug target due to its involvement in several diseases. Several studies have shown that inhibition of AKR1C4 activity can lead to therapeutic effects in these diseases.

1. Cancer: Several studies have shown that inhibition of AKR1C4 activity can lead to therapeutic effects in cancer. For example, studies have shown that inhibition of AKR1C4 can inhibit the growth of cancer cells and reduce their sensitivity to chemotherapy.
2. Neurodegenerative diseases: AKR1C4 has been shown to be involved in the regulation of neurotransmitter synthesis and neuroprotective enzymes, which may make it a potential target for neurodegenerative diseases. For example, studies have shown that inhibition of AKR1C4 activity can improve neuroprotective enzymes and reduce neurodegeneration in animal models of Alzheimer's disease.
3. Autoimmune disorders: AKR1C4 has been shown to be involved in the regulation of immune cell function, which may make it a potential target for autoimmune disorders. For example, studies have shown that inhibition of AKR1C4 activity can reduce the production of autoantibodies in animal models of rheumatoid arthritis.

In conclusion, AKR1C4 is a gene that encodes a protein involved in the synthesis of dihydrodiol,

Protein Name: Aldo-keto Reductase Family 1 Member C4

Functions: Cytosolic aldo-keto reductase that catalyzes the NADH and NADPH-dependent reduction of ketosteroids to hydroxysteroids. Liver specific enzyme that acts as NAD(P)(H)-dependent 3-, 17- and 20-ketosteroid reductase on the steroid nucleus and side chain (PubMed:14672942, PubMed:10998348, PubMed:7650035, PubMed:1530633, PubMed:11158055, PubMed:10634139, PubMed:19218247). Displays the ability to catalyze both oxidation and reduction in vitro, but most probably acts as a reductase in vivo since the oxidase activity measured in vitro is inhibited by physiological concentration of NADPH (PubMed:14672942). Acts preferentially as a 3-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) with a subsidiary 3-beta-HSD activity (PubMed:14672942). Catalyzes efficiently the transformation of the potent androgen 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5alpha-DHT or 17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-3-one) into the less active form, 5-alpha-androstan-3-alpha,17-beta-diol (3-alpha-diol) (PubMed:11158055, PubMed:10998348, PubMed:14672942). Catalyzes the reduction of estrone into 17beta-estradiol but with low efficiency (PubMed:14672942). Metabolizes a broad spectrum of natural and synthetic therapeutic steroid and plays an important role in metabolism of androgens, estrogens, progestereone and conjugated steroids (PubMed:10998348, PubMed:14672942, PubMed:19218247). Catalyzes the biotransformation of the pesticide chlordecone (kepone) to its corresponding alcohol leading to increased biliary excretion of the pesticide and concomitant reduction of its neurotoxicity since bile is the major excretory route (PubMed:2427522)

The "AKR1C4 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 AKR1C4 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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