Developmental pluripotency-associated protein 4 (DPPA4)

Developmental pluripotency-associated protein 4 (DPPA4) is a small nuclear chromatin-binding protein expressed primarily in early embryos and pluripotent stem cells[1][2][3][5]. It functions as an epigenetic priming factor, helping to maintain active chromatin marks and promoting the plasticity required for pluripotency and normal embryogenesis[1][4][5]. DPPA4 binds preferentially to GC-rich and active chromatin regions and interacts with key chromatin modifiers. It lacks intrinsic enzymatic activity but influences gene regulation, including collaborating with OCT4 to co-regulate genes involved in both stem cell maintenance and oncogenesis[3]. Aberrant expression of DPPA4 in differentiated tissues is linked to cancer, likely through modulation of cell cycle regulators. DPPA4 serves as a marker for pluripotency and plays direct roles in efficient reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem cells, but there are currently no known drugs targeting DPPA4, nor is it classified as a typical therapeutic target such as a receptor, enzyme, or transporter[3][5].

Other names

DPPA4FLJ107132410091M23Rikdevelopmental pluripotency associated 4