Drug pipeline
Full profile accessExplore the programs pursuing this target and their development progress.
- Drug candidates
- Developers
- Development stage
Target intelligence / Profile preview
Adherens junction-associated protein 1 (AJAP1)
- Target
- AJAP1
- Molecular classification
- Other (transmembrane protein), Cell junction protein, adherens junction-associated protein
01
Overview
Adherens junction-associated protein 1 (AJAP1, also known as Shrew-1) is a transmembrane protein found at the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells, where it integrates into adherens junction complexes involving E-cadherin and β-catenin. AJAP1 plays a crucial role in regulating cell–cell adhesion and suppressing cellular motility, migration, and invasion, stabilizing cell–cell contacts and restricting processes that, if dysregulated, can lead to tumor progression. Loss or silencing of AJAP1 is observed in various cancers (notably gliomas), often due to deletion or promoter methylation, and is associated with an invasive tumor phenotype and poor prognosis. AJAP1 also appears involved in aspects of epithelial cell polarity, wound healing, and possibly developmental processes like tooth formation, but is not currently a direct therapeutic target.
- Other names
- Shrew-1SHREW1SHREW-1MOT8Membrane protein shrew-1Transmembrane protein SHREW1
02
Mechanism of action
None known, as there are no drugs targeting AJAP1 directly
03
Biological functions
Negative regulation of cell-matrix adhesionInhibition of cell migration and invasionRegulation of polarized epithelial cell differentiationCell adhesion (cell–cell contacts)Modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathwaySuppression of tumor cell proliferation
04
Disease associations
Cancer (especially gliomas/glioblastoma, breast cancer, esophageal carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma)chromosomal deletion syndromepotential role in dental caries through effects on odontogenesis
05
Safety considerations
Not applicable, as there are no known drugs targeting AJAP1. Safety concerns would relate to broader roles in adhesion and migration, which could potentially affect tissue integrity if modulated therapeutically, but this is speculative
06
Interacting drugs
None known.
07
Biomarkers
Reduced or absent AJAP1 expression may serve as a biomarker of more aggressive/invasive tumors (e.g., gliomas, breast cancer). Loss of expression can be due to gene deletion or epigenetic silencingPromoter methylation of AJAP1 is suggested as a biomarker of gene activity in certain gliomas
Beyond the preview
Go deeper on Adherens junction-associated protein 1 (AJAP1).
Explore the evidence, development activity, and competitive landscape with Gosset’s full data platform.
Clinical trials
Full profile accessFollow the clinical studies evaluating therapies directed at this target.
- Trial design
- Status
- Readouts
Competitive landscape
Full profile accessCompare approaches across drug candidates, modalities, and indications.
- Programs
- Modalities
- Indications
Literature & evidence
Full profile accessInvestigate the research and source evidence behind target biology and development.
- Publications
- Sources
- Analysis
Patents
Full profile accessExplore patent activity around therapies and technologies addressing this target.
- Patents
- Assignees
- Technologies
Research & analysis
Full profile accessConnect target biology, drug development, and emerging evidence in your research.
- Biology
- Development news
- Analysis
Bring the full picture into focus.
See how Gosset can support your research on Adherens junction-associated protein 1 (AJAP1).