title: Connective tissue growth factor: structure-function relationships of a mosaic, multifunctional protein.
abstract: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a member of the CCN family of six small secreted, cysteine-rich growth factors. The unique modular structure encompasses distinct functional domains which enable CTGF to interact with growth factors, surface receptors and matrix components. Widely expressed, CTGF has critical roles in embryonic development and the maintenance of normal cell and connective tissue function. It is also important for tissue repair following injury, and has been implicated in common diseases including atherosclerosis, pulmonary and renal fibrotic disorders and cancer. Factors that regulate CTGF transcription in response to exogenous stimuli, as well as downstream signalling pathways, have been described. However, only recently have studies begun to unravel how the functional domains within the CTGF modules orchestrate signals and control key biological processes. This article highlights how the structural and functional domains of CTGF and CTGF cleavage fragments integrate multiple extracellular events into cell signals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Royal Free and University Medical School, Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, University College London, London, UK. p.dewinter@medsch.ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Winter
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leoni
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abraham
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D002477:Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor; D006801:Humans; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: C526317:CCN2 protein, human; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor