Dickkopf-1: Current knowledge and related diseases

Dickkopf-1(DKK-1) has been identified as a secretory protein that can inhibit the Wnt signaling transduction pathway. It is well known that the Wnt signaling pathway plays an important role in embryogenesis, organogenesis and homeostasis. This signaling cascade is essential for many normal physiological processes such as cellular proliferation, tissue regeneration, embryonic development and many other systemic and local effects, and it can be regulated at different levels. Therefore, defects in the pathway may lead to some complicated effects. In addition, it has been demonstrated that defects in this pathway are closely linked to some diseases including cancer, rheumatism, bone disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer disease. Since DKK-1 is an antagonist of the Wnt pathway, it may be related to these diseases; in fact, many studies have identified this fact. This review will summarize the current knowledge of DKK-1 and DKK-1-mediated regulation of Wnt signaling in the development of these related diseases.