background:
The LECT1 gene encodes a glycosylated transmembrane protein which is cleaved to form a mature, secreted protein. The N terminus of the precursor protein shares characteristics with other surfactant proteins and is sometimes called chondrosurfactant protein, although no biological activity has yet been defined for it. The C terminus of the precursor protein contains a 25 kDa mature protein called leukocyte cell derived chondromodulin 1 or chemotaxin 1. The mature protein inhibits angiogenesis and promotes chondrocyte growth. This gene is expressed in the avascular zone of prehypertrophic cartilage and its expression decreases during chondrocyte hypertrophy and vascular invasion. The mature protein likely plays a role in endochondral bone development by permitting cartilaginous anlagen to be vascularized and replaced by bone. It may be involved also in the broad control of tissue vascularization during development. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms.
Function:
Bifunctional growth regulator that stimulates the growth of cultured chondrocytes in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) but inhibits the growth of cultured vascular endothelial cells. May contribute to the rapid growth of cartilage and vascular invasion prior to the replacement of cartilage by bone during endochondral bone development.
Subcellular Location:
Chondromodulin-1: Secreted. Note=Accumulated in the inter-territorial matrix of cartilage. Chondrosurfactant protein: Endomembrane system; Single-pass membrane protein (Potential).
Tissue Specificity:
Cartilage specific. Weakly expressed in chondrosarcoma.
Similarity:
Belongs to the chondromodulin-1 family.
Contains 1 BRICHOS domain.
Database links:
UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot: O75829.1
Important Note:
This product as supplied is intended for research use only, not for use in human, therapeutic or diagnostic applications.
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