Enhanced activity of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) bound to cartilage oligomeric matrix protein.

ABSTRACT: Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is an important non-collagenous cartilage protein that is essential for the structural integrity of the cartilage extracellular matrix. The repeated modular structure of COMP allows it to "bridge" and assemble multiple cartilage extracellular matrix components such as collagens, matrilins, and proteoglycans. With its modular structure, COMP also has the potential to act as a scaffold for growth factors, thereby affecting how and when the growth factors are presented to cell-surface receptors. However, it is not known whether COMP binds growth factors. We studied the binding interaction between COMP and TGF-β1 in vitro and determined the effect of COMP on TGF-β1-induced signal transduction in reporter cell lines and primary cells. Our results demon

SUBMITTER: Haudenschild DR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3234822 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature