sPDZD2

sPDZD2 (secreted PDZ domain-containing protein 2) is a 37-kDa secreted protein fragment derived from the C-terminal cleavage of the 300-kDa full-length PDZD2 protein by caspase 3. It contains PDZ domains 5 and 6 and functions as an autocrine tumor suppressor. In normal hematopoiesis, PDZD2 is expressed in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and is required for proper erythropoiesis. However, in approximately 90% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases, the PDZD2 gene is silenced through DNA hypermethylation, resulting in a loss of sPDZD2 secretion into the bone marrow microenvironment. Recombinant sPDZD2 (r-sPDZD2) is being investigated as a therapeutic replacement to restore tumor-suppressive signaling, which has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation, induce G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, and promote myeloid differentiation in AML cell lines and primary patient specimens. This research is primarily led by investigators at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Other names

secreted PDZD2secreted PDZ domain-containing protein 2