背景
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 (CT) domain. The
encoded protein lacks the CT domain which is implicated in dimerization and heparin
binding. It is 72% identical to the mouse protein at the amino acid level. This gene may be
downstream in the WNT1 signaling pathway that is relevant to malignant transformation. Its
expression in colon tumors is reduced while the other two WISP members are overexpressed
in colon tumors. It is expressed at high levels in bone tissue, and may play an important role
in modulating bone turnover
