WNT1-inducible-signaling pathway protein 2
WNT1-inducible-signaling pathway protein 2, or WISP-2 is a matricellular protein that in humans is encoded by the WISP2 gene.Function
The CCN family of proteins regulates diverse cellular functions, including cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, differentiation.Structure
WISP-2 is a member of the CCN family of secreted, extracellular matrix -associated signaling matricellular proteins. The CCN acronym is derived from the first three members of the family identified, namely CYR61, CTGF, and NOV. These proteins, together with WISP1/CCN4, WISP2, and WISP3 comprise the six-member CCN family in vertebrates. CCN proteins characteristically contain an N-terminal secretory signal peptide followed by four structurally distinct domains with homologies to insulin-like growth factor binding protein, von Willebrand type C repeats, thrombospondin type 1 repeat, and a cysteine knot motif within the C-terminal domain. However, WISP-2 is unique among this family of proteins by lacking precisely the CT domain.Clinical significance
WISP-2 inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, human uterine myometrial cells, and leiomyoma cells. Ectopic expression of WISP-2 also inhibits the motility and invasiveness of breast carcinoma cells. WISP-2 also inhibits cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, an effect that appears linked to the absence of the CT domain.