DLX1 protein

In news- Recently, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, have discovered a particular gene (DLX1).

About DLX1 protein–

The DLX1 plays an important role in the development of jaws, skeleton, and interneurons in the brain.
It has an important role to play in the growth and development of prostate cancer.
The DLX1 protein is found at elevated levels in prostate cancer patients, the reason why the DLX1 protein has been used as a urine-based biomarker.
Homeobox protein DLX-1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DLX1 gene.
Now the team of researchers fromIIT Kanpur has found that the DLX1 protein, which is expressed at higher levels in the prostate cancer cells, has a huge role in the growth and development of the tumour and the spread of the cancer to other organs in the body (metastasis).
Using small molecules as inhibitors, the researchers have shown in mice a new therapeutic strategy to treat people with DLX1-positive prostate cancer.

Key findings related to prostate cancer & DLX1 protein-

Androgen receptor is responsible for promoting the development of prostate cancer.
Also, about 50% of prostate cancer harbors an aberrant gene which is a product of two genes (TMPRSS2 and ERG) being fused together and results in production of higher levels of ERG protein.
About 96% of TMPRSS2-ERG fusion-positive prostate cancer patients show high levels of DLX1 protein as well.
In concert with this, about 70% of the patients with high androgen receptor signaling also have elevated DLX1 protein levels.
The researchers have further shown that both androgen receptor and fusion gene product, ERG, are responsible for increased levels of DLX1 in prostate cancer cells.