DLL4 (Delta-Like 4) is a Notch ligand primarily known for its role in angiogenesis, with emerging connections to neurovascular unit function. This gene plays important roles in the nervous system and has been implicated in various aspects of neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis.
| DLL4 Gene | |
|---|---|
| Gene Symbol | DLL4 |
| Full Name | Delta-Like 4 |
| Chromosomal Location | 15q15.1 |
| NCBI Gene ID | 54567 |
| OMIM | 609967 |
| Ensembl ID | ENSG00000128917 |
| UniProt ID | Q9NRF0 |
| Associated Diseases | Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts, Alzheimer's Disease, Cancer |
DLL4 encodes Delta-like protein 4, a transmembrane ligand for Notch receptors. DLL4 is primarily known for its critical role in angiogenesis, where it regulates tip cell formation and vessel branching. In the nervous system, DLL4-Notch signaling is important for neurovascular coupling, blood-brain barrier maintenance, and neural stem cell function.
| Disease | Role | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| CADASIL | Modifier | DLL4-Notch signaling affects vascular smooth muscle function |
| Alzheimer's Disease | Modifier | Neurovascular dysfunction, BBB integrity |
| Cancer | Therapeutic Target | Anti-DLL4 antibodies in cancer trials |
DLL4 is expressed in brain vasculature and regulates blood-brain barrier function. Altered DLL4 signaling may contribute to neurovascular dysfunction in AD.
DLL4 is expressed in: