Matricellular protein explained

A matricellular protein is a dynamically expressed non-structural protein that is present in the extracellular matrix (ECM).^{[1] [2]} Rather than serving as stable structural elements in the ECM, these proteins are rapidly turned over and have regulatory roles. They characteristically contain binding sites for ECM structural proteins and cell surface receptors, and may sequester and modulate activities of specific growth factors.^{[3] [4]}

Examples of matricellular proteins include the CCN family of proteins (also known as CCN intercellular signaling protein),^[5] fibulins, osteopontin, periostin, SPARC family members, tenascin(s), and thrombospondins. Many of these proteins have important functions in wound healing and tissue repair.

See also

• CCN protein

Notes and References

1. Bornstein P . Diversity of function is inherent in matricellular proteins: an appraisal of thrombospondin 1 . J. Cell Biol. . 130 . 3 . 503–6 . August 1995 . 7542656 . 2120533 . 10.1083/jcb.130.3.503 .
2. Bornstein P, Sage EH . Matricellular proteins: extracellular modulators of cell function . Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. . 14 . 5 . 608–16 . October 2002 . 12231357 . 10.1016/S0955-0674(02)00361-7 .
3. Book: Mecham RP . The Extracellular Matrix: an Overview (Biology of Extracellular Matrix) . Springer . Berlin . 2011 . 978-3-642-16554-2 . https://books.google.com/books?id=ZltDVlFx6K8C&q=Matricellular+Proteins.+In+The+Extracellular+Matrix%3A+An+Overview&pg=PA369 . Chapter 11: Matricellular Proteins . Roberts DD, Lau LF.
4. Roberts DD . Emerging functions of matricellular proteins . Cell. Mol. Life Sci. . 68 . 19 . 3133–6 . October 2011 . 21833584 . 10.1007/s00018-011-0779-2 . 3556643.
5. Jun JI, Lau LF . Taking aim at the extracellular matrix: CCN proteins as emerging therapeutic targets . Nat Rev Drug Discov . 10 . 12 . 945–63 . December 2011 . 22129992 . 10.1038/nrd3599 . 3663145 .