Details for: DHRS4L2

Gene ID: 317749

Gene Type:  Protein-coding  - A gene that serves as a template for producing a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule, which is then translated into a functional protein.

Symbol: DHRS4L2

Ensembl ID: ENSG00000187630

Description: dehydrogenase/reductase 4 like 2

Selected Context(s):  Overall

Cell Significance Landscape

Contexts:

Associated with

Significant Cells

Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores for the chosen context(s)

  • epithelial cell of proximal tubule CL0002306
    CSI 12.62
    rCSI 30.82%
    PRS 76.4
  • Hofbauer cell CL3000001
    CSI 11.43
    rCSI 21.59%
    PRS 90.56
  • colonocyte CL1000347
    CSI 7.3
    rCSI 10.46%
    PRS 83.64
  • epithelial cell of lung CL0000082
    CSI 6.96
    rCSI 5.77%
    PRS 84.96
  • plasmacytoid dendritic cell, human CL0001058
    CSI 6.68
    rCSI 4.66%
    PRS 87.26
  • kidney epithelial cell CL0002518
    CSI 5.52
    rCSI 10.54%
    PRS 94.34
  • stem cell CL0000034
    CSI 5.23
    rCSI 5.04%
    PRS 78.23
  • perivascular cell CL4033054
    CSI 4.49
    rCSI 6.14%
    PRS 88.01
  • effector CD8-positive, alpha-beta T cell CL0001050
    CSI 4.03
    rCSI 3.07%
    PRS 94.39
  • double negative thymocyte CL0002489
    CSI 3.92
    rCSI 2.73%
    PRS 93.56
  • placental villous trophoblast CL2000060
    CSI 3.88
    rCSI 5.99%
    PRS 82.8
  • intestinal epithelial cell CL0002563
    CSI 3.7
    rCSI 3.87%
    PRS 81.42
  • intestine goblet cell CL0019031
    CSI 3.62
    rCSI 3.21%
    PRS 81.57
  • early lymphoid progenitor CL0000936
    CSI 3.27
    rCSI 2.87%
    PRS 88.27
  • renal alpha-intercalated cell CL0005011
    CSI 3.23
    rCSI 4.32%
    PRS 89
  • central memory CD4-positive, alpha-beta T cell CL0000904
    CSI 3.11
    rCSI 1.84%
    PRS 96.07
  • alveolar type 1 fibroblast cell CL4028004
    CSI 3.1
    rCSI 3.4%
    PRS 85.55
  • type L enteroendocrine cell CL0002279
    CSI 3.06
    rCSI 5.75%
    PRS 88.76
  • vascular associated smooth muscle cell CL0000359
    CSI 3.05
    rCSI 9.88%
    PRS 81.97
  • paneth cell of colon CL0009009
    CSI 2.88
    rCSI 28.32%
    PRS 90.56
  • pancreatic acinar cell CL0002064
    CSI 2.88
    rCSI 3.83%
    PRS 88.53
  • hematopoietic multipotent progenitor cell CL0000837
    CSI 2.87
    rCSI 6.9%
    PRS 94.1
  • multi-ciliated epithelial cell CL0005012
    CSI 2.85
    rCSI 2.85%
    PRS 77.99
  • pancreatic D cell CL0000173
    CSI 2.85
    rCSI 2.8%
    PRS 85.96
  • alveolar adventitial fibroblast CL4028006
    CSI 2.84
    rCSI 4.48%
    PRS 85.13
  • epithelial cell of lower respiratory tract CL0002632
    CSI 2.8
    rCSI 2.17%
    PRS 87.27
  • intestinal crypt stem cell of colon CL0009043
    CSI 2.7
    rCSI 20.3%
    PRS 91.38
  • CD1c-positive myeloid dendritic cell CL0002399
    CSI 2.7
    rCSI 3.26%
    PRS 90.5
  • neural crest cell CL0011012
    CSI 2.69
    rCSI 2.12%
    PRS 74.05
  • keratinocyte CL0000312
    CSI 2.67
    rCSI 2.24%
    PRS 85.79
  • bronchus fibroblast of lung CL2000093
    CSI 2.55
    rCSI 2.07%
    PRS 83.29
  • pancreatic A cell CL0000171
    CSI 2.54
    rCSI 2.66%
    PRS 86.86
  • mucous neck cell CL0000651
    CSI 2.44
    rCSI 3.52%
    PRS 89.21
  • megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor cell CL0000050
    CSI 2.43
    rCSI 2.2%
    PRS 82.42
  • myeloid leukocyte CL0000766
    CSI 2.42
    rCSI 2.24%
    PRS 85.22
  • Langerhans cell CL0000453
    CSI 2.41
    rCSI 3.68%
    PRS 92.65
  • skin fibroblast CL0002620
    CSI 2.38
    rCSI 2.05%
    PRS 83.92
  • elicited macrophage CL0000861
    CSI 2.36
    rCSI 2.16%
    PRS 90.53
  • goblet cell CL0000160
    CSI 2.33
    rCSI 2.2%
    PRS 82.11
  • CD4-positive, alpha-beta cytotoxic T cell CL0000934
    CSI 2.23
    rCSI 3.06%
    PRS 95.76
  • lung macrophage CL1001603
    CSI 2.22
    rCSI 4.97%
    PRS 90.14
  • ionocyte CL0005006
    CSI 2.22
    rCSI 2.38%
    PRS 85.67
  • ciliated epithelial cell CL0000067
    CSI 2.19
    rCSI 1.93%
    PRS 73.76
  • granulocyte CL0000094
    CSI 2.19
    rCSI 3.35%
    PRS 89.94
  • enterocyte CL0000584
    CSI 2.16
    rCSI 3.48%
    PRS 82.23
  • peripheral nervous system neuron CL2000032
    CSI 2.13
    rCSI 2.91%
    PRS 75.98
  • acinar cell CL0000622
    CSI 2.08
    rCSI 3.05%
    PRS 91.65
  • transit amplifying cell of colon CL0009011
    CSI 2.07
    rCSI 2.44%
    PRS 85.28
  • colon epithelial cell CL0011108
    CSI 2.03
    rCSI 2.12%
    PRS 81.31
  • retinal bipolar neuron CL0000748
    CSI 2
    rCSI 3.75%
    PRS 73.07
  • hematopoietic stem cell CL0000037
    CSI 2
    rCSI 1.33%
    PRS 86.15
  • muscle cell CL0000187
    CSI 1.97
    rCSI 4.05%
    PRS 90.7
  • CD14-low, CD16-positive monocyte CL0002396
    CSI 1.82
    rCSI 1.4%
    PRS 87.07
  • chondrocyte CL0000138
    CSI 1.8
    rCSI 2.87%
    PRS 77.43
  • basal cell CL0000646
    CSI 1.79
    rCSI 2.39%
    PRS 81.84
  • enteroendocrine cell CL0000164
    CSI 1.79
    rCSI 2.44%
    PRS 83.16
  • lung ciliated cell CL1000271
    CSI 1.75
    rCSI 2.03%
    PRS 76.89
  • fallopian tube secretory epithelial cell CL4030006
    CSI 1.74
    rCSI 1.67%
    PRS 83.21
  • common dendritic progenitor CL0001029
    CSI 1.69
    rCSI 2.12%
    PRS 90.91
  • granulocyte monocyte progenitor cell CL0000557
    CSI 1.66
    rCSI 1.44%
    PRS 87.27
  • common myeloid progenitor CL0000049
    CSI 1.64
    rCSI 1.33%
    PRS 85.93
  • retina horizontal cell CL0000745
    CSI 1.58
    rCSI 2.41%
    PRS 80.78
  • microcirculation associated smooth muscle cell CL0008035
    CSI 1.52
    rCSI 4.4%
    PRS 83.03
  • intermediate monocyte CL0002393
    CSI 1.5
    rCSI 2.26%
    PRS 88.74
  • hepatocyte CL0000182
    CSI 1.48
    rCSI 2.65%
    PRS 82.98
  • club cell CL0000158
    CSI 1.48
    rCSI 2.16%
    PRS 78.76
  • radial glial cell CL0000681
    CSI 1.45
    rCSI 2.02%
    PRS 82.34
  • effector memory CD4-positive, alpha-beta T cell CL0000905
    CSI 1.42
    rCSI 1.94%
    PRS 96.34
  • mesenchymal cell CL0008019
    CSI 1.42
    rCSI 3.62%
    PRS 77.6
  • transit amplifying cell CL0009010
    CSI 1.39
    rCSI 2.13%
    PRS 90.31
  • promonocyte CL0000559
    CSI 1.37
    rCSI 2.35%
    PRS 88.51
  • basal cell of epidermis CL0002187
    CSI 1.34
    rCSI 2.38%
    PRS 53.19
  • intestinal crypt stem cell of small intestine CL0009017
    CSI 1.31
    rCSI 3.52%
    PRS 87.49
  • pancreatic ductal cell CL0002079
    CSI 1.3
    rCSI 2.54%
    PRS 86.68
  • type B pancreatic cell CL0000169
    CSI 1.22
    rCSI 2.7%
    PRS 83.49
  • enterocyte of epithelium of small intestine CL1000334
    CSI 1.21
    rCSI 18.8%
    PRS 89.79
  • mammary gland epithelial cell CL0002327
    CSI 0.98
    rCSI 3.43%
    PRS 90.36
  • forebrain radial glial cell CL0013000
    CSI 0.94
    rCSI 3.03%
    PRS 84.83
  • colon goblet cell CL0009039
    CSI 0.82
    rCSI 1.95%
    PRS 87.73
  • transit amplifying cell of small intestine CL0009012
    CSI 0.8
    rCSI 3.5%
    PRS 90.09
  • paneth cell of epithelium of small intestine CL1000343
    CSI 0.71
    rCSI 1.99%
    PRS 89.19
  • pancreatic stellate cell CL0002410
    CSI 0.59
    rCSI 3.45%
    PRS 86.78
  • erythroid progenitor cell CL0000038
    CSI 0.46
    rCSI 2.63%
    PRS 88.06

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this specific cell.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.
Network Configuration

Explore relationships of the current gene. Select an Interaction Source: 'ONTOLOGY' for shared pathways (GO/Reactome) or 'STRING' for protein-protein interactions. Further refine by selecting context genes and comparing Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores between baseline and target cell types and their specific contexts.

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Legend:
  • Query Gene
  • Node Color (Target Cell CSI, relative to current network):
    • Very High
    • High
    • Medium
    • Low
    • Very Low
    • CSI N/A
  • Node Size: Proportional to Target Cell CSI magnitude
  • STRING PPI Edge
  • Shared Pathway Edge (ONTOLOGY)

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Other Information

This section provides additional information about the gene, including a description generated by an AI language model and details about associated proteins.

## Summary [DHRS4L2](/details-gene/317749) (dehydrogenase/reductase 4 like 2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 14q11.2. It belongs to the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) superfamily, a large group of enzymes with diverse metabolic functions ([Link](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2008.10.040)). Functionally, [DHRS4L2](/details-gene/317749) is annotated with '[carbonyl reductase (nadph) activity](/details-gene/GO:0004090)', suggesting a role in the metabolism of various carbonyl-containing substrates. Expression data from the **Overall** context indicates that its significance is highest in specialized epithelial and immune cell populations. It is a particularly strong marker for [epithelial cell of proximal tubule](/details-cell/CL0002306) in the kidney and [Hofbauer cells](/details-cell/CL3000001), which are placental macrophages. Its expression is also notable in other metabolic and barrier tissues like the colon, as well as in specific immune subsets such as [plasmacytoid dendritic cells](/details-cell/CL0001058), suggesting a multifunctional role in both tissue-specific metabolism and immunity. ## Cellular Roles and Expression Landscape The expression profile of [DHRS4L2](/details-gene/317749) highlights its importance in cells with high metabolic and homeostatic responsibilities. **Overall**, the gene shows the highest significance in [epithelial cell of proximal tubule](/details-cell/CL0002306) (CSI: 12.62), which are critical for reabsorption and detoxification processes in the kidney. This is complemented by high significance in other epithelial populations, including [colonocytes](/details-cell/CL1000347) and [epithelial cells of the lung](/details-cell/CL0000082), pointing towards a conserved function in barrier tissues that are active metabolic interfaces. A second prominent functional niche for [DHRS4L2](/details-gene/317749) is in the placenta and the immune system. It is a key marker for [Hofbauer cells](/details-cell/CL3000001) (CSI: 11.43), macrophages residing in the placenta that are crucial for immune tolerance and development at the maternal-fetal interface. Its expression in [placental villous trophoblasts](/details-cell/CL2000060) further supports a specialized role in placental biology. Within the hematopoietic system, its significance is noted in [plasmacytoid dendritic cells](/details-cell/CL0001058), which are key producers of type I interferons, as well as in [effector CD8-positive, alpha-beta T cells](/details-cell/CL0001050) and lymphoid progenitors. This pattern suggests that the metabolic activity of [DHRS4L2](/details-gene/317749) may be integral to the function and differentiation of these specific immune cell lineages. ## Pathways and Molecular Function The primary annotated molecular function for [DHRS4L2](/details-gene/317749) is '[carbonyl reductase (nadph) activity](/details-gene/GO:0004090)', indicating it catalyzes the reduction of carbonyl compounds using NADPH as a cofactor. This enzymatic activity is central to a wide array of metabolic pathways, including the detoxification of xenobiotics and the metabolism of endogenous signaling molecules like steroids and retinoids. The gene's involvement in '[retinal metabolic process](/details-gene/GO:0042574)' is consistent with this function, as retinoids are critical for immune regulation, cellular differentiation, and embryonic development. This function aligns well with its high expression in metabolically active kidney tubules and immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface. Cellular localization data suggests [DHRS4L2](/details-gene/317749) may be present in multiple compartments, including the '[mitochondrion](/details-gene/GO:0005739)', '[peroxisome](/details-gene/GO:0005777)', and the '[extracellular region](/details-gene/GO:0005576)'. This diversity in localization could imply the existence of different isoforms or a mechanism for protein transport, allowing it to act on substrates in various cellular contexts. The regulation of its transcription appears to be complex, potentially involving CpG island methylation within the DHRS4 gene cluster ([Link](https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr.15027752)). ## Research Directions The specific expression pattern and enzymatic function of [DHRS4L2](/details-gene/317749) provide a basis for several testable hypotheses regarding its physiological roles. 1. **Hypothesis 1:** Given its exceptionally high significance in [Hofbauer cells](/details-cell/CL3000001) and its role in metabolizing substrates like retinoids or steroids, [DHRS4L2](/details-gene/317749) may be a critical regulator of maternal-fetal immune tolerance by controlling the local concentration of immunomodulatory metabolites within the placental microenvironment. 2. **Hypothesis 2:** In the kidney, the high expression of [DHRS4L2](/details-gene/317749) in [epithelial cells of the proximal tubule](/details-cell/CL0002306) suggests it functions as a key detoxification enzyme, protecting renal tissue from damage induced by metabolic byproducts or nephrotoxic compounds. Its dysregulation could therefore contribute to the pathogenesis of acute or chronic kidney injury. To directly test the first hypothesis, a compelling experimental approach would be to use primary human trophoblast co-culture systems or placental explants. Knockdown of [DHRS4L2](/details-gene/317749) using siRNA or CRISPR-Cas9 could be performed, followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to profile changes in the local steroid and retinoid metabolome. The functional consequences could be assessed by measuring the secretion of key cytokines (e.g., IL-10, TGF-beta) and by evaluating the differentiation and activation state of co-cultured immune cells, such as T cells or monocytes. ### Therapeutic Potential As an enzyme, [DHRS4L2](/details-gene/317749) represents a potentially druggable target. Its highly specific expression profile in certain cell types, such as proximal tubule cells and Hofbauer cells, suggests that targeting it could offer a degree of tissue specificity, potentially minimizing off-target effects. In the context of kidney disease, developing small molecule activators of [DHRS4L2](/details-gene/317749) could represent a novel renoprotective strategy to enhance detoxification pathways. Conversely, in pregnancy-related disorders like pre-eclampsia, where immune dysregulation and metabolic shifts are implicated, inhibition of [DHRS4L2](/details-gene/317749) might be a viable strategy to modulate the placental immune environment, though its precise role must first be established.

Genular Protein ID: 1291018804

Symbol: DR4L2_HUMAN

Name: N/A

UniProtKB Accession Codes:

Database IDs:

Citations:

PubMed ID: 12508121

Title: The DNA sequence and analysis of human chromosome 14.

PubMed ID: 12508121

DOI: 10.1038/nature01348

PubMed ID: 15489334

Title: The status, quality, and expansion of the NIH full-length cDNA project: the Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC).

PubMed ID: 15489334

DOI: 10.1101/gr.2596504

PubMed ID: 16204458

Title: Non-EST based prediction of exon skipping and intron retention events using Pfam information.

PubMed ID: 16204458

DOI: 10.1093/nar/gki870

PubMed ID: 19027726

Title: The SDR (short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase and related enzymes) nomenclature initiative.

PubMed ID: 19027726

DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2008.10.040

PubMed ID: 27323117

Title: CpG island evolution in the mammalian DHRS4 gene cluster and its role in the regulation of gene transcription.

PubMed ID: 27323117

DOI: 10.4238/gmr.15027752

Sequence Information:

  • Length: 232
  • Mass: 24863
  • Checksum: A42B8CB0D791085A
  • Sequence:
  • MQMARLLGLC AWARKSVRMA SSRMTRRDPL TNKVALVTAS TDGIGFAIAR RLAQDRAHVV 
    VSSRKQQNVD QAVATLQGEG LSVTGTVCHV GKAEDRERLV AMAVKLHGGI DILVSNAAVN 
    PFFGSLMDVT EEVWDKTLDI NVKAPALMTK AVVPEMEKRG GGSVVIVSSI AAFSPSPGFS 
    PYNVSKTALL GLNNTLAIEL APRNIRVNCL HLDLSRLASA GCSGWTRKKR KA

Genular Protein ID: 3575883673

Symbol: F6VUV4_HUMAN

Name: N/A

UniProtKB Accession Codes:

Database IDs:

Citations:

PubMed ID: 11237011

Title: Initial sequencing and analysis of the human genome.

PubMed ID: 11237011

DOI: 10.1038/35057062

PubMed ID: 12508121

Title: The DNA sequence and analysis of human chromosome 14.

PubMed ID: 12508121

DOI: 10.1038/nature01348

PubMed ID: 15496913

Title: Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome.

PubMed ID: 15496913

DOI: 10.1038/nature03001

Sequence Information:

  • Length: 90
  • Mass: 9783
  • Checksum: 73E130DB80A1AF38
  • Sequence:
  • MAVKLHGGID ILVSNAAVNP FFGSLMDVTE EVWDKGFSPY NVSKTALLGL NNTLAIELAP 
    RNIRVNCLHL DLSRLASAGC SGWTRKKRKA

Genular Protein ID: 799405819

Symbol: D5KJA2_HUMAN

Name: N/A

UniProtKB Accession Codes:

Database IDs:

Sequence Information:

  • Length: 140
  • Mass: 15182
  • Checksum: 983FA5FB7511FE3E
  • Sequence:
  • MAVKLHGGID ILVSNAAVNP FFGSLMDVTE EVWDKTLDIN VKAPALMTKA VVPEMEKRGG 
    GSVVIVSSIA AFSPSPGFSP YNVSKTALLG LTKTLAIELA PRNIRVNCLA PGLIKTSFSR 
    MLWMDKEKEE SMKETLRIEC

Genular Protein ID: 2220054388

Symbol: A0A087WSZ6_HUMAN

Name: N/A

UniProtKB Accession Codes:

Database IDs:

Citations:

PubMed ID: 11237011

Title: Initial sequencing and analysis of the human genome.

PubMed ID: 11237011

DOI: 10.1038/35057062

PubMed ID: 12508121

Title: The DNA sequence and analysis of human chromosome 14.

PubMed ID: 12508121

DOI: 10.1038/nature01348

PubMed ID: 15496913

Title: Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome.

PubMed ID: 15496913

DOI: 10.1038/nature03001

Sequence Information:

  • Length: 131
  • Mass: 13934
  • Checksum: 80C2B98285861E83
  • Sequence:
  • MAVKLHGGID ILVSNAAVNP FFGSLMDVTE EVWDKTLDIN VKAPALMTKA VVPEMEKRGG 
    GSVVIVSSIA AFSPSPGFSP YNVSKTALLG LNNTLAIELA PRNIRVNCLH LDLSRLASAG 
    CSGWTRKKRK A

Genular Protein ID: 3057171556

Symbol: D5KJA1_HUMAN

Name: N/A

UniProtKB Accession Codes:

Database IDs:

Sequence Information:

  • Length: 216
  • Mass: 23295
  • Checksum: 8D3F7A99DE29BF8C
  • Sequence:
  • MPFPCLSLPS SWDYRIGFAI ARRLAQDRAH VVVSSRKQQN VDQAVATLQG EGLSVTGTVC 
    HVGKAEDRER LVAMTLDINV KAPALMTKAV VPEMEKRGGG SVVIVSSIAA FSPSPGFSPY 
    NVSKTALLGL TKTLAIELAP RNIRVNCLAP GLIKTSFSRM LWMDKEKEES MKETLRIRRL 
    GEPEDCAGIV SFLCSEDASY ITGETVVVGG GTPSRL