Delta-like-1, also known as fetal antigen 1 and preadipocyte factor 1, is a member of the epidermal growth factor-like family of proteins, containing six tandem EGF-like repeats. DLK1 is a paternally expressed, imprinted gene that plays an important role in normal development and in the maintenance of homeostasis of adipose tissue mass. DLK1-deficient mice display growth retardation, obesity, skeletal malformation, and increased serum lipid metabolites. It has been reported that the ectodomain of DLK1 is shredded from the cell surface and inhibits adipocyte differentiation.
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