DMBT1, a regulator of mucosal homeostasis through the linking of mucosal defense and regeneration?
DMBT1 (deleted in malignant brain tumor 1), which encodes a large scavenger receptor cysteine rich (SRCR) B protein, has been proposed to be a tumor suppressor gene, due to the high frequency of its homozygous deletion and the lack of expression in a variety of cancers. However, studies on its physiological functions and its relationship with tumorigenesis are still at an initial stage. Two mucosal defense-related molecules, gp-340 and salivary agglutinin, have been identified to be alternatively spliced products of DMBT1, which suggests that DMBT1 is a pattern recognition receptor in innate immunity. Meanwhile, results from immunohistochemical staining and studies at the cellular level, began to associate DMBT1 with a proliferation to differentiation switching process in gastrointestinal epithelial cells. Together with its up-regulation in inflammation, these findings suggest that DMBT1 might be a local regulator of homeostasis, possibly through linking mucosal inflammation to the modulation of epithelial regeneration, and whose abnormality is a frequent cause of malignancy.
Kang
Weiqun
W
MRC Immunochemistry Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK.
Reid
Kenneth B M
KB
D000373:Agglutinins; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000502:physiology; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology*; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D000373:Agglutinins; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; C108174:DMBT1 protein, human; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins