Human Epididymis Protein 4, HE4 Protein (Active)

WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2, also known as Human Epididymis Protein 4 (HE4) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the WFDC2 gene. This gene is amplified in ovarian carcinomas, whereas its expression in normal tissues, including ovary, is low. Although the function of the HE4 protein is unknown, it is a member of a family of stable 4-disulfide core proteins that are secreted at high levels.HE4 is a secreted glycoprotein that is overexpressed by serous and endometrioid EOCs (epithelial ovarian carcinomas) . Its expression in cortical inclusion cysts suggests that formation of Mullerian epithelium is a prerequisite step in the development of some types ofEOCs.

Hellström, Ingegerd; John Raycraft, Martha Hayden-Ledbetter, Jeffrey A. Ledbetter, Michèl Schummer, Martin McIntosh, Charles Drescher, Nicole Urban, and Karl Erik Hellström (2003-07-01) . "The HE4 (WFDC2) Protein Is a Biomarker for Ovarian Carcinoma". Cancer Research 63 (13) : 3695–3700. Drapkin R, von Horsten HH, Lin Y et al. (2005) . "Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a secreted glycoprotein that is overexpressed by serous and endometrioid ovarian carcinomas".Cancer Res.65 (6) : 2162–9.