WNT1-inducible-signaling pathway protein 2

WNT1-inducible-signaling pathway protein 2, or WISP-2 (also named CCN5) is a is_associated_with::matricellular protein that in humans is encoded by the WISP2 is_associated_with::gene.

Function
The CCN family of proteins regulates diverse cellular functions, including is_associated_with::cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, differentiation.

Structure
WISP-2 is a member of the CCN family (is_associated_with::CCN intercellular signaling protein) of secreted, is_associated_with::extracellular matrix (ECM)-associated signaling is_associated_with::matricellular proteins. The CCN acronym is derived from the first three members of the family identified, namely is_associated_with::CYR61 (CCN1), is_associated_with::CTGF (connective tissue growth factor, or CCN2), and NOV. These proteins, together with is_associated_with::WISP1/CCN4, WISP2 (CCN5, this gene), and is_associated_with::WISP3 (CCN6) comprise the six-member CCN family in vertebrates. CCN proteins characteristically contain an is_associated_with::N-terminal secretory signal peptide followed by four structurally distinct domains with homologies to insulin-like growth factor binding protein (is_associated_with::IGFBP), von Willebrand type C repeats (vWC), is_associated_with::thrombospondin type 1 repeat (TSR), and a is_associated_with::cysteine knot motif within the is_associated_with::C-terminal (CT) domain. However, WISP-2 is unique among this family of proteins by lacking precisely the CT domain.

Clinical significance
WISP-2 (CCN5) inhibits the proliferation of is_associated_with::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 is_associated_with::hypertrophy and is_associated_with::fibrosis, an effect that appears linked to the absence of the CT domain.