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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Peptide-based Identification of Functional Motifs and their Binding Partners
Published on: June 30, 2013
The extracellular matrix protein Del1 induces apoptosis via its epidermal growth factor motif
Hisataka Kitano1, Shinichiro Kokubun, Chiaki Hidai
1Division of Dental Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan.
Abstract:
Mouse Del1 is an extracellular matrix protein mainly expressed in the developing embryo. Del1 has three EGF motifs and two discoidin domains. The second EGF motif reportedly contains an RGD sequence that binds to integrin receptors. Here, we provide evidence that Del1 protein induces cell death in vitro. Chromatin condensation and DNA laddering were observed, suggestive of apoptosis. The results of analysis using the TUNEL method and annexin V staining were also consistent with apoptosis. The apoptosis-inducing activity of Del1 could be mapped to the third EGF motif, which fitted the consensus sequence CX(D/N)XXXX(F/Y)XCXC, wherein the aspartic acid residue (D) could be beta-hydroxylated. As little as twenty-five picomolar of recombinant E3 could induce apoptosis.
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