R-spondin：一个新的Wnt信号通路相关蛋白家族的研究进展

R-spondin（Rspo）是近年来新发现的蛋白家族,包括4个成员（Rspo1～4）。已报道Rspo蛋白家族所有成员均为分泌性蛋白,均有两个富含半胱氨酸的furin-like结构域、1个TSP1结构域和富含碱性氨基酸的C端区域。Rspos通过激活并协同Wnt/β-catenin信号通路参与对细胞增殖和分化的调控,影响骨骼、肌肉、血管等组织的发育以及肢体和性腺的形成,并在多种疾病的发生过程中起重要作用。该文结合最新研究进展,就Rspo家族蛋白的结构、主要功能及其对经典Wnt信号通路的调控机理做一综述。

R-spondin:a new protein family linked to Wnt signal

R-spondins（Rspos） are a recently described family including 4 proteins（Rspo1-4）.Rspo proteins are all secreted proteins,which contain two furin-like cysteine-rich domains,a thrombospondin type 1 repeat and a C-terminal region enriched with basic charged amino acids.These proteins have been proposed to activate and synergize with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.Rspos are involved in cell proliferation,differentiation,as well as muscle development,bone formation,vasculogenesis,limb and gonad morphogenesis,even associated with many human diseases.This review will highlight recent progress in understanding the protein structures and functions of Rspo protein family,as well as its modulation activities in regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.