WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 3 (WFDC3)

WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 3 (WFDC3) is a member of the WAP-type four-disulfide core domain family, characterized by the presence of multiple eight-cysteine motifs forming four disulfide bonds. It acts as a serine protease inhibitor and is implicated in mucosal immunity, antibacterial response, and innate immunity. In cancer biology, WFDC3 is involved in the regulation of metastatic behavior, particularly in colorectal cancer, where it promotes the stability of estrogen receptor beta, suppresses EMT, and inhibits metastasis through modulation of TGFBR1 signaling. High expression of WFDC3 is a favorable prognostic marker in colorectal cancer but is associated with poor prognosis in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The gene is located on chromosome 20q12-13.1 and is also known under several aliases including WAP14 and dJ447F3.3[1][2][3][4][5][6][7].

Other names

WAP14dJ447F3.3Putative protease inhibitor WAP14Whey acidic protein 14Protease inhibitor WAP14

Protease inhibition (direct function—potential to inhibit serine-type endopeptidases) Regulation of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) stability, enhancing estrogen-induced anti-metastatic effects via the ERβ/TGFBR1 signaling axis in colorectal cancer Suppression of EMT and metastatic potential in cancer cells