Open AccessCellular communication network factor 3 in cartilage development and maintenance
Author(s) -
Kubota Satoshi,
Kawaki Harumi,
Perbal Bernard,
Kawata Kazumi,
Hattori Takako,
Nishida Takashi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of cell communication and signaling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1873-961X
pISSN - 1873-9601
DOI - 10.1007/s12079-021-00629-z
Subject(s) - endochondral ossification , cartilage , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , transcription factor , zebrafish , function (biology) , matricellular protein , ossification , bioinformatics , computational biology , neuroscience , gene , anatomy , extracellular matrix , genetics
Cellular communication network factor (CCN) 3 is one of the classical members of the CCN family, which are characterized by common molecular structures and multiple functionalities. Although this protein was discovered as a gene product overexpressed in a truncated form in nephroblastoma, recent studies have revealed its physiological roles in the development and homeostasis of mammalian species, in addition to its pathological association with a number of diseases. Cartilage is a tissue that creates most of the bony parts and cartilaginous tissues that constitute the human skeleton, in which CCN3 is also differentially produced to exert its molecular missions therein. In this review article, after the summary of the molecular structure and function of CCN3, recent findings on the regulation of ccn3 expression and the roles of CCN3 in endochondral ossification, cartilage development, maintenance and disorders are introduced with an emphasis on the metabolic regulation and function of this matricellular multifunctional molecule.