title: Transglutaminase 2 cross-linking of matrix proteins: biological significance and medical applications.
abstract: This review summarises the functions of the enzyme tissue transglutaminase (TG2) in the extracellular matrix (ECM) both as a matrix stabiliser through its protein cross-linking activity and as an important cell adhesion protein involved in cell survival. The contribution of extracellular TG2 to the pathology of important diseases such as cancer and fibrosis are discussed with a view to the potential importance of TG2 as a therapeutic target. The medical applications of TG2 are further expanded by detailing the use of transglutaminase cross-linking in the development of novel biocompatible biomaterials for use in soft and hard tissue repair.
authors.affiliation: School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Collighan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Griffin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy*; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy*; D000091345:Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D000091345:Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2; D011503:Transglutaminases; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins