WISP1 Active Protein

This gene encodes a member of the WNT1 inducible signaling pathway (WISP) protein subfamily, which belongs to the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) family. WNT1 is a member of a family of cysteine-rich, glycosylated signaling proteins that mediate diverse developmental processes. The CTGF family members are characterized by four conserved cysteine-rich domains: insulin-like growth factor-binding domain, von Willebrand factor type C module, thrombospondin domain and C-terminal cystine knot-like domain. This gene may be downstream in the WNT1 signaling pathway that is relevant to malignant transformation. It is expressed at a high level in fibroblast cells, and overexpressed in colon tumors. The encoded protein binds to decorin and biglycan, two members of a family of small leucine-rich proteoglycans present in the extracellular matrix of connective tissue, and possibly prevents the inhibitory activity of decorin and biglycan in tumor cell proliferation. It also attenuates p53-mediated apoptosis in response to DNA damage through activation of the Akt kinase. It is 83% identical to the mouse protein at the amino acid level. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants have been identified. [provided by RefSeq, Mar 2011]

WISP1: Downstream regulator in the Wnt/Frizzled-signaling pathway. Associated with cell survival. Attenuates p53-mediated apoptosis in response to DNA damage through activation of AKT kinase. Up-regulates the anti-apoptotic Bcl-X(L) protein. Adheres to skin and melanoma fibroblasts. In vitro binding to skin fibroblasts occurs through the proteoglycans, decorin and biglycan. Belongs to the CCN family. 3 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: Secreted, signal peptide; Oncoprotein; Secreted

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 8q24.22

Cellular Component: extracellular space; proteinaceous extracellular matrix; cytoplasm

Molecular Function: integrin binding; heparin binding; insulin-like growth factor binding

Biological Process: Wnt receptor signaling pathway; cell-cell signaling; regulation of cell growth; cell adhesion; signal transduction