title: The CCN Proteins: An Overview.
abstract: I introduce the general structures and functions of CCN proteins and possible molecular mechanisms regarding the unique biological actions of this new family of signaling regulators, which may be referred to as "signal conductors." Relevance to pathology is also briefly introduced. The information provided in this overview should be useful for readers of the following chapters.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Research Center for Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Okayama University Dental School/Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1, Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8525, Japan. takigawa@md.okayama-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Masaharu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takigawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055511:CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D056426:Genetic Loci; D006801:Humans; D005810:Multigene Family; D011485:Protein Binding; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D055511:CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins
keywords: CCN family; Matricellular protein; Signal conductor; Signaling; Structure