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DKK1

Meaning

DKK1, which stands for Dickkopf-1, is a secreted protein that functions as a potent, extracellular antagonist of the Wnt signaling pathway, a crucial regulatory cascade involved in numerous cellular processes, most notably bone metabolism. In skeletal physiology, DKK1 acts to specifically inhibit the differentiation and reduce the activity of osteoblasts, the cells directly responsible for new bone formation. Elevated systemic levels of this protein are frequently associated with pathological conditions characterized by accelerated bone loss and diminished skeletal mass.