Pancreatic progenitor cell differentiation and proliferation factor (PPDPF)

Pancreatic progenitor cell differentiation and proliferation factor (PPDPF) is a conserved protein coding gene implicated in the control of cell differentiation and proliferation, particularly in the exocrine pancreas and potentially the liver[1][3][4]. It is believed to regulate cell cycle genes such as cyclin G1, cyclin D1, p21, and p27, and contains domains suggesting a signaling role (e.g., SH2 and SH3, potential kinase binding sites)[1]. Overexpression of PPDPF in cancer tissues, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), correlates with increased tumor size, higher grade, recurrence, and poor prognosis, supporting its role as a prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target in HCC and possibly other cancers[1][6]. PPDPF seems to have limited direct impact on human pancreatic endocrine differentiation, suggesting a more nuanced regulatory role in humans[2]. There are no current drugs directly targeting PPDPF, and it is not classified as a classical receptor, enzyme, transcription factor, or transporter but rather as a signaling/regulatory protein.

Other names

C20orf149dJ697K14.9exdpfexocrine differentiation and proliferation factorEXPDFpancreatic progenitor cell differentiation and proliferation factor homolog

no approved drugs, mechanism via modulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and cell cycle gene regulation