Prefoldin subunit 4 (PFDN4)

Prefoldin subunit 4 (PFDN4) is a protein encoded by the *PFDN4* gene in humans. It is one of six distinct subunits of the prefoldin molecular chaperone complex, which facilitates the proper folding of nascent polypeptides by binding and stabilizing them in the cytosol. The prefoldin complex, composed of two alpha and four beta subunits (including PFDN4), forms a heterohexameric structure that cooperates with other chaperones to maintain proteostasis by ensuring correct protein folding and preventing aggregation, particularly under protein stress conditions. Beyond its canonical role, PFDN4 has regulatory functions in cell cycle control and acts as a transcriptional modulator, with upregulation observed in certain cancers—most notably breast and colorectal cancer—where it contributes to chemoresistance and poor prognosis. Recent findings highlight its potential as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target in oncology, although therapeutic modulation must be approached cautiously due to the possibility of perturbing critical processes in protein homeostasis

Other names

PFDN4PFD4Prefoldin subunit 4Prefoldin 4Protein C-1C1

Drugs targeting PFDN4 may modulate chemoresistance pathways, potentially influencing the CREBP1/AURKA pathway in triple-negative breast cancer