Fat atypical cadherin 4 (FAT4)

Fat atypical cadherin 4 (FAT4) is a member of the cadherin superfamily and functions as a single-pass transmembrane cell adhesion molecule distinguished by a large extracellular domain containing 34 cadherin repeats, multiple laminin G-like and EGF-like motifs, and an intracellular domain involved in diverse signaling cascades[1][2][3]. FAT4 plays critical roles in planar cell polarity (PCP), tissue growth control via the Hippo signaling pathway, and regulation of non-canonical Wnt signaling, impacting tissue homeostasis and morphogenesis[1][2]. It forms high-affinity heterophilic complexes with Dachsous1 (Dchs1), and its function and structure are conserved across vertebrate evolution, acting as a tumor suppressor and emerging disease biomarker implicated in cancer and developmental disorders[1][2][3].\n\n**Notes:**\n- No clinically approved drugs are currently known to directly target FAT4; the field is still emerging regarding its therapeutic modulation.\n- FAT4 is considered a tumor suppressor: loss of function or mutational inactivation is frequently observed in cancers rather than being a classical druggable target today[1].\n- Its role in Hippo, PCP, and Wnt pathways makes it a key node in cell fate and proliferation regulation.

Other names

Protocadherin Fat 4FAT4CDHF14FATJNbla00548hFat4FAT-JCDHR11Cadherin family member 14FAT tumor suppressor homolog 4Fat-like cadherin protein FAT-Jcadherin-related family member 11HKLLS2NBLA00548VMLDS2putative protein product of Nbla00548