High impact information on osteonectin

• One of its component proteins, SPARC (osteonectin/BM-40), binds calcium and collagens, and can modulate cell-matrix interactions, so altering cell shape, growth, and differentiation [3,5] [1].
• Importance of the basement membrane protein SPARC for viability and fertility in Caenorhabditis elegans [1].
• The tissue distribution of a secreted fusion protein containing SPARC and green fluorescent protein (GFP) was analyzed in Caenorhabditis elegans [1].
• The contributions of SPARC to C. elegans development were determined using RNA interference, which accurately phenocopies loss-of-function defects [6-8] [1].
• Comparison of the pattern of transgene expression to unc-54-lacZ animals demonstrated that SPARC is expressed by body wall and sex muscle cells [2].

Biological context of osteonectin

• We cloned a cDNA containing a complete open reading frame for SPARC from the brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana [3].

Associations of osteonectin with chemical compounds

• Fourteen cysteine residues conserved among all the secreted forms of SPARCs were present in the Artemia SPARC, and four extra cysteine residues were also found in it [3].

Other interactions of osteonectin

• SPARC (Secreted protein, acidic, rich in cysteine) is an extracellular matrix-associated and anti-adhesive glycoprotein extensively studied in vertebrates [3].

References