SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!
24/7 HELPLINE (903) 212-7500
  • PATIENT PORTAL LOGIN

PhyNet Health PhyNet Health

  • Home
  • Find a Clinic
    • Hughes Springs, TX
    • Longview, TX
    • Jefferson, TX
    • Kilgore, TX
    • Lindale, TX
    • Linden, TX
    • Gladewater, TX
    • Lone Star, TX
    • Tatum, TX
    • Marshall, TX
  • Health Services
    • Primary Care Services
    • Physical Therapy / Rehab
    • Allergy Testing & Treatment
    • Chronic Care Management
    • Remote Monitoring Program
    • Virtual Visit
  • Resources
    • MedlinePlus Wiki
      • Health Topics
    • Home Health Coordination
    • Transitions of Care
    • Insurance Help
  • About Phynet
    • About Phynet
    • PhyNet News
    • Better Together Stories
    • Careers
  • Billing

Health Topics

Skip navigation

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

National Institutes of Health National Library of Medicine
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You
  • Health Topics
  • Drugs & Supplements
  • Genetics
  • Medical Tests
  • Medical Encyclopedia
  • About MedlinePlus
  • About MedlinePlus
  • What's New
  • Site Map
  • Customer Support
  • Health Topics
  • Drugs & Supplements
  • Genetics
  • Medical Tests
  • Medical Encyclopedia
You Are Here:
Home →
Genetics →
Genes →
KLLN gene
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/klln/

KLLN gene

killin, p53 regulated DNA replication inhibitor

Normal Function

The KLLN gene provides instructions for making a protein called killin. The activity of the KLLN gene is controlled by a protein called p53 (which is produced from the TP53 gene). Little is known about the function of killin, although it is thought to trigger cells to self-destruct (undergo apoptosis) when they are damaged or no longer needed. In this way, killin helps to prevent abnormal cells from growing and dividing unchecked to form tumors. Through its role in regulating cell division, killin helps maintain the stability of a cell's genetic information. Based on these roles, killin is thought to be a tumor suppressor.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Cowden syndrome

Some cases of Cowden syndrome and a similar condition called Cowden-like syndrome result from a change involving the KLLN gene. These conditions are characterized by multiple tumor-like growths called hamartomas and an increased risk of developing certain cancers. When Cowden syndrome and Cowden-like syndrome are caused by KLLN gene mutations, the conditions are associated with a particularly high risk of developing breast and kidney cancers.

The genetic change associated with these conditions is known as promoter hypermethylation. The promoter is a region of DNA near the gene that controls gene activity (expression). Hypermethylation occurs when too many small molecules called methyl groups are attached to the promoter region. The extra methyl groups reduce the expression of the KLLN gene, which means that less killin is produced. A reduced amount of killin may allow abnormal cells to survive and proliferate inappropriately, which can lead to the formation of tumors.

The promoter region of the KLLN gene is shared with another gene, PTEN. The single promoter controls the expression of both genes. However, specific hypermethylation of the KLLN gene promoter only affects the expression of the KLLN gene; people with this type of genetic change have normal expression of the PTEN gene. Other types of mutations in the PTEN gene can cause Cowden syndrome and Cowden-like syndrome.

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • KILIN_HUMAN
  • KILLIN
  • killin
  • killin, p53-regulated DNA replication inhibitor

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

  • Tests of KLLN From the National Institutes of Health

Scientific Articles on PubMed

  • PubMed From the National Institutes of Health

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

  • KILLIN; KLLN

Gene and Variant Databases

  • NCBI Gene From the National Institutes of Health
  • ClinVar From the National Institutes of Health

References

  • Bennett KL, Mester J, Eng C. Germline epigenetic regulation of KILLIN in Cowden and Cowden-like syndrome. JAMA. 2010 Dec 22;304(24):2724-31. doi: 10.1001/jama.2010.1877. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Jelovac D, Park BH. PTEN promoter silencing and Cowden syndrome: the role of epigenetic regulation of KILLIN. JAMA. 2010 Dec 22;304(24):2744-5. doi: 10.1001/jama.2010.1863. No abstract available. Citation on PubMed
  • Nizialek EA, Sankunny M, Niazi F, Eng C. Cancer-predisposition gene KLLN maintains pericentric H3K9 trimethylation protecting genomic stability. Nucleic Acids Res. 2016 May 5;44(8):3586-94. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkv1481. Epub 2015 Dec 15. Citation on PubMed
  • Sankunny M, Eng C. Identification of nuclear export signal in KLLN suggests potential role in proteasomal degradation in cancer cells. Oncotarget. 2020 Dec 15;11(50):4625-4636. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.27833. eCollection 2020 Dec 15. Citation on PubMed
  • Sankunny M, Eng C. KLLN-mediated DNA damage-induced apoptosis is associated with regulation of p53 phosphorylation and acetylation in breast cancer cells. Cell Death Discov. 2018 Sep 11;4:31. doi: 10.1038/s41420-018-0094-x. eCollection 2018. Citation on PubMed
DNA helix

Genomic Location

The KLLN gene is found on chromosome 10.

Related Health Topics

  • Genes and Gene Therapy
  • Genetic Disorders

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

  • Genes
  • Genetics

Understanding Genetics

  • What is DNA?
  • What is a gene?
  • What is a gene variant and how do variants occur?

Disclaimers

MedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. MedlinePlus also links to health information from non-government Web sites. See our disclaimer about external links and our quality guidelines.

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

  • About MedlinePlus
  • What's New
  • Site Map
  • Customer Support
  • Subscribe to RSSRSS
  • Connect with NLM
  • NLM Web Policies
  • Copyright
  • Accessibility
  • Guidelines for Links
  • Viewers & Players
  • HHS Vulnerability Disclosure
  • MedlinePlus Connect for EHRs
  • For Developers
National Library of Medicine 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health
Last updated February 2, 2021
Return to top

Patients

  • Find a Clinic
  • Health Services
  • Complex Case Management
  • MA / Medicare Assistance

Quick Links

  • Billing Information
  • Careers
  • About Phynet
  • PhyNet News

Network Links

  • PrimeCareHomeHealth.com
  • PrimeCareNet.com
  • PrimeCareManagers.com
  • Core-Rehab.com

Home Office

4002 Technology Center Longview TX 75605
Phone: (903) 247-0484
Fax: (903) 247-0485
[email protected]
  • PrimeCareHomeHealth.com
  • PrimeCareNet.com
  • PrimeCareManagers.com
  • Core-Rehab.com
  • GET SOCIAL

© 2021 PhyNet Health • All rights reserved
YOUR LIFE. YOUR CHOICE.

TOP