Regulatory Mechanism and Function of Endoglin in Angiogenesis / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

ABSTRACT

The formation of new blood vessels and homeostasis are important to ensure the normal physiological activities of cells. The blood vessel formation is strictly regulated by many factors for the stabilities and functions of internal environment and immune systems. Endoglin (ENG), a type I transmembrane glycoprotein mainly expressed on endothelial cells, plays an important role in angiogenesis and homeostasis by acting as a co⁃receptor of transforming growth factor β family. With more and more proteins interacting with ENG have been uncovered, such as matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14), integrin, leucine⁃rich alpha⁃2⁃glycoprotein⁃1 (LRG1) and GAIP interacting protein C⁃terminus (GIPC), many new research progresses in molecular mechanism of ENG have been developing recently. However, the exquisite regulatory network between these proteins remains to be explored and combed. Understanding the characteristics of these proteins, their influences in signal transduction and their contribution to angiogenesis under patho⁃physiological conditions will be helpful for the development of novel therapeutics. This review summarized the interactions between ENG and TGF⁃β or non⁃TGF⁃β family associated proteins in regulating angiogenesis. We also proposed some suggestions for future study on ENG allowing us to better understand the mechanisms of ENG⁃associated diseases.