TSKU
Description
The TSKU (tsukushi, small leucine rich proteoglycan) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 11.
TSKU, also known as Tsukushi, E2-induced gene 4 protein, and Leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 54, is a protein that plays a crucial role in various biological processes. It acts as a Wnt signaling inhibitor by competing with WNT2B for binding to the Wnt receptor FZD4, thereby repressing the development of the peripheral eye. TSKU also regulates the hair cycle by controlling TGFB1 signaling, and is essential for the development of the anterior commissure in the brain by inhibiting neurite outgrowth. Additionally, TSKU is critical for the terminal differentiation of hippocampal neural stem cells and plays a role in regulating bone elongation and bone mass by modulating growth plate chondrocyte function. It is also involved in the development of the inner ear through its participation in stereocilia formation in inner hair cells. TSKU facilitates wound healing by inhibiting TGFB1 secretion from macrophages, which prevents myofibroblast differentiation and maintains inflammatory cell quiescence. Furthermore, TSKU influences cholesterol homeostasis by reducing circulating high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lowering cholesterol efflux capacity, and decreasing cholesterol-to-bile acid conversion in the liver. Studies have shown that TSKU can negatively regulate sympathetic innervation in brown fat, leading to reduced energy expenditure, but does not affect brown fat thermogenic capacity, body weight gain, or glucose homeostasis.
TSKU is also known as E2IG4, LRRC54, TSK.
