Leucine-, glutamate- and lysine-rich protein 1 (LEKR1)

Leucine-, glutamate- and lysine-rich protein 1 (LEKR1) is a protein-coding gene located on human chromosome 3 (3q25)[4][7] and is conserved across several species[9]. The function of LEKR1 remains unclear, with no well-established role as a receptor, enzyme, or other canonical drug target[3][5]. Nevertheless, genetic variants in or near LEKR1 are consistently implicated in the regulation of prenatal and placental growth, and are associated with metabolic phenotypes such as birth weight, neonatal adiposity, and altered maternal adiponectin levels, suggesting a role in adipocyte function and early developmental programming[2]. Disease associations include birth weight reduction, changes in neonatal fat, risk modification for diabetic retinopathy, and weak associations with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder[2][4]. LEKR1 is not a known target of approved drugs; its molecular mechanism and protein function remain to be fully characterized[3][5]. Summary of Current Knowledge and Caveats: - LEKR1 is a structural, non-catalytic, and likely non-receptor protein (uncharacterized coiled-coil protein; InterPro domain reported)[3][5]. - There is no evidence that it is a therapeutic target (no drugs, no standard mechanism of action, not a defined receptor/enzyme)[3][4]. - Its biological roles are inferred from GWAS and genetic studies implicating it in fetal/placental growth and select metabolic/vascular traits, but direct molecular functions are not yet defined[2][3][5]. - Aliases include FLJ16641 and Protein LEKR1[4][7]. - There are no known drugs, mechanisms of action, or specific safety concerns reported for this protein as a therapeutic target[3][4].

Other names

Protein LEKR1FLJ16641leucine, glutamate and lysine rich 1LEKR1_HUMAN