Prokineticin-1 (PROK1)

Prokineticin-1 (PROK1) is a secreted, small protein primarily expressed in steroidogenic glands such as the ovary, placenta, testis, and adrenal gland[3][6][7]. It acts as a potent angiogenic factor that induces proliferation, migration, and fenestration of capillary endothelial cells, with a restricted effect on endocrine gland vasculature and little activity in other tissues[3][6]. Prokineticin-1 mediates its functions mainly via two G protein-coupled receptors: prokineticin receptor 1 (PROKR1) and prokineticin receptor 2 (PROKR2), with higher affinity for PROKR1[2][4]. Its biological roles include promoting angiogenesis, regulating hormone secretion (notably progesterone), modulating immune cell activity, and contributing to processes critical for embryo implantation, placentation, and trophoblast invasion[1][2][4]. Dysregulation of PROK1 is linked to a variety of pregnancy-related diseases (such as pre-eclampsia, recurrent miscarriage, and fetal growth restriction), reproductive pathologies (like polycystic ovary syndrome), and some forms of cancer, especially neuroblastoma[4]. As of now, there are no approved drugs directly targeting PROK1, but it represents a promising therapeutic and biomarker target in several disease contexts[3][4][5].

Other names

Endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factorEG-VEGFPK1PRK1MambakineBlack mamba toxin-related proteinUNQ600/PRO1186PRO1186

Drugs (if developed) could act as antagonists or inhibitors of PROK1 signaling via blockade of the prokineticin receptors (PROKR1/PROKR2) or inhibition of PROK1 secretion/binding[4].