DCAF15

DCAF15 (full name DDB1 and CUL4 associated factor 15), also known as C17orf39, functions as a substrate-recognition subunit of the CUL4-DDB1 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. It mediates ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of specific target proteins, regulating critical processes including cell cycle progression and DNA damage repair.
Dysregulated DCAF15 expression is linked to malignancies like colorectal and gastric cancer, where it may promote tumorigenesis by disrupting target protein turnover. Recent drug development focuses on PROTACs targeting DCAF15, aiming to selectively degrade oncogenic proteins dependent on its ligase activity, with promising preclinical results.