his gene encodes a member of the WNT1 inducible signaling pathway (WISP) protein subfamily, which belongs to the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) family. WNT1 is a member of a family of cysteine-rich, glycosylated signaling proteins that mediate diverse developmental processes. The CTGF family members are characterized by four conserved cysteine-rich domains: insulin-like growth factor-binding domain, von Willebrand factor type C module, thrombospondin domain and SLCterminal cystine knot-like domain. This gene may be downstream in the WNT1 signaling pathway that is relevant to malignant transformation. It is expressed at a high level in fibroblast cells, and overexpressed in colon tumors. The encoded protein binds to decorin and biglycan, two members of a family of small leucine-rich proteoglycans present in the extracellular matrix of connective tissue, and possibly prevents the inhibitory activity of decorin and biglycan in tumor cell proliferation. It also attenuates p53-mediated apoptosis in response to DNA damage through activation of the Akt kinase. It is 83% identical to the mouse protein at the amino acid level. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants have been identified. [provided by RefSeq, Mar 2011].
Function:
Downstream regulator in the Wnt/Frizzled-signaling pathway. Associated with cell survival. Attenuates p53-mediated apoptosis in response to DNA damage through activation of AKT kinase. Up-regulates the anti-apoptotic Bcl-X(L) protein. Adheres to skin and melanoma fibroblasts. In vitro binding to skin fibroblasts occurs through the proteoglycans, decorin and biglycan.
Subcellular Location:
Secreted.
Tissue Specificity:
Expressed in heart, kidney, lung, pancreas, placenta, ovary, small intestine and spleen. Isoform 2 is expressed predominantly in scirrhous gastric carcinoma and, weakly in placenta. Overexpression is associated with several cancers including breast cancer and colon tumors. Isoform 2 is overexpressed in scirrhous gastric carcinoma.
Similarity:
Belongs to the CCN family.
Contains 1 CTCK (SLCterminal cystine knot-like) domain.
Contains 1 IGFBP N-terminal domain.
Contains 1 TSP type-1 domain.
[SIMILARITY] Contains 1 VWFC domain.
SWISS:
O95388
Gene ID:
8168
Database links:
UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot: O95388.1
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