The DCX-domain family of proteins has been demonstrated to be involved in signal transduction and cytoskeletal regulation. The investigators have demonstrated that DCDC3a (DCLK1/DCAMKL1) is an intestinal epithelial stem cell marker expressed in the intestinal mesenchymal stem cell niche which plays a critical role during intestinal tissue damage and repair. DCDC2 is altered in the mouse model by Citrobacter rodentium infection and TNBS induced colitis. DCDC2 knockout mice exhibit an increased anxiety phenotype. (16)