
-   Schlafen 3, a novel negative regulator of growth, which is markedly downregulated in the colonic mucosa of the aged rats, may play a role in regulating colonic mucosal growth during aging [PMID: 19228883].
-   Cyclic strain induces an absorptive phenotype characterized by increased dipeptidyl dipeptidase (DPPIV) activity via Src-, p38-, and PI3-kinase-dependent induction of Schlafen 3 in rat small intestine epithelial cells (IEC-6), whereas Schlafen 3 may also be a key factor in the induction of intestinal epithelial differentiation by other stimuli such as sodium butyrate or TGF-beta [PMID: 20299602]. The transcript level of Schlafen 3 (Slfn3) correlated with the levels of the differentiation markers SI, Dpp4, Glut2, and villin in rat small intestinal mucosa [PMID: 24005468].
-   The human homologs of SLFN4, designated SLFN5 and SLFN12L, also correlate with intestinal metaplasia and could be used as biomarkers to predict the subset of individuals who might progress to gastric cancer and benefit from treatment with Hedgehog (HH) antagonists [PMID: 28275687]. SCHLAFEN 5 expression correlates with intestinal metaplasia that progresses to gastric cancer [PMID: 27032393].
