Roles of DLK1 in liver development and oncogenesis

Abstract

Hepato Cellular Carcinoma (HCC) has an increased mortality rate in the last decade. Protein expression in HCC has similarities to the liver cells during the development process. One of the proteins expressions is Delta-Like 1 homolog (DLK1) that was found during liver development and oncogenesis. This permits the opportunity to study pathophysiology and signaling pathway of DLK1 and to find an early detection and therapeutic target for HCC. This review will explain the signalling mechanism and the roles of DLK1 during liver development, oncogenesis of HCC, as a tumor marker and targeting therapy.