title: Cellular signaling and biological functions of R-spondins.
abstract: R-spondins (RSPOs) are a family of cysteine-rich secreted proteins containing a single thrombospondin type I repeat (TSR) domain. A vast amount of information regarding cellular signaling and biological functions of RSPOs has emerged over the last several years, especially with respect to their roles in the activation of the WNT signaling pathway. The identification of several classes of RSPO receptors may indicate that this family of proteins can affect several signaling cascades. Herein, we summarize the current understanding of RSPO signaling and its biological functions, and discuss its potential therapeutic implications to human diseases.
authors: Program in Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, 81 Research Drive, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA. Electronic address: yoonje@mmc.org.
authors: Jeong Kyo
authors: JK
authors: Yoon
authors: Program in Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, 81 Research Drive, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA.
authors: Jin-Seon
authors: JS
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D018955:CD36 Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D007422:Intestines / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D024510:Muscle Development / Q000502:physiology; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D054730:Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D019699:Thrombospondins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018955:CD36 Antigens; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D019699:Thrombospondins; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin