InterPro domain: IPR044198

Protein DEK is an abundant and ubiquitous chromatin protein in multicellular organisms (not in yeast) [ 1 , 2 ]. It preferentially binds to superhelical and cruciform DNA, and induces positive supercoils into closed circular DNA [ 3 ]. This protein has two DNA binding domains, the SAP/SAF box located at the centre of the protein, and the second one at the C-terminal, which contains several phosphorylation sites important for its activity. It is involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, senescence and apoptosis, being associated with cancers and autoimmune diseases and a possible therapeutic drug target [ 4 ]. In humans DEK can be secreted by macrophages, and the secreted DEK regulates the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells through CXCR2 signaling [ 4 ].

1. The distribution of the DEK protein in mammalian chromatin. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 358, 1008-14
2. The DEK oncoprotein and its emerging roles in gene regulation. Leukemia 29, 1632-6
3. The DEK protein--an abundant and ubiquitous constituent of mammalian chromatin. Gene 343, 1-9
4. Secreted nuclear protein DEK regulates hematopoiesis through CXCR2 signaling. J Clin Invest 129, 2555-2570