title: The R-spondin family of proteins: emerging regulators of WNT signaling.
abstract: Recently, the R-spondin (RSPO) family of proteins has emerged as important regulators of WNT signaling. Considering the wide spectrum of WNT signaling functions in normal biological processes and disease conditions, there has been a significantly growing interest in understanding the functional roles of RSPOs in multiple biological processes and determining the molecular mechanisms by which RSPOs regulate the WNT signaling pathway. Recent advances in the RSPO research field revealed some of the in vivo functions of RSPOs and provided new information regarding the mechanistic roles of RSPO activity in regulation of WNT signaling. Herein, we review recent progress in RSPO research with an emphasis on signaling mechanisms and biological functions.
authors.affiliation: Program in Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medial Center Research Institute, 81 Research Drive, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA.
authors.forename: Yong-Ri
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Jeong Kyo
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Yoon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009154:Mutation; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D019699:Thrombospondins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway
chemical_list: D019699:Thrombospondins; D051153:Wnt Proteins