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The DAN family: modulators of TGF-β signaling and beyond

Kristof Nolan1, Thomas B Thompson

  • 1Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45267.

Protein Science : a Publication of the Protein Society
|May 10, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Differential screening-selected gene in neuroblastoma (DAN) proteins modulate transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling. This review explores their roles beyond inhibiting bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), including Wnt and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Extracellular binding proteins regulate transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) family ligands.
  • Dysregulation of ligand-antagonist interactions contributes to diseases like renal fibrosis and cancer.
  • The differential screening-selected gene in neuroblastoma (DAN) family is implicated in various pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in understanding DAN family proteins.
  • To highlight their mechanisms of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) inhibition.
  • To explore their emerging roles in Wnt and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of structural and functional studies on DAN family proteins.
  • Analysis of their interactions with TGF-β family ligands.
  • Investigation of their involvement in Wnt and VEGF signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • DAN family proteins inhibit BMPs, a subset of TGF-β ligands.
  • Beyond BMP inhibition, DAN proteins modulate Wnt and VEGF signaling.
  • Recent structural and functional data provide deeper insights into their diverse roles.

Conclusions:

  • DAN family proteins possess multifaceted roles in cellular signaling.
  • Their involvement in BMP, Wnt, and VEGF pathways suggests broad implications in development and disease.
  • Further research into DAN proteins could reveal novel therapeutic targets.
Keywords:
BMPKeywords DANTGF-βVEGFWntextracellular antagonists

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