Thrombospondins (TSPs) are a family of secreted glycoproteins with antiangiogenic functions. Due to their dynamic role within the extracellular matrix they are considered matricellular proteins. The first member of the family, thrombospondin 1 (THBS1), was discovered in 1971 by Nancy L. Baenziger.

Types

The thrombospondins are a family of multifunctional proteins. The family consists of thrombospondins 1–5 and can be divided into two subgroups: A, which contains TSP-1 and TSP-2, and B, which contains TSP-3, TSP-4 and TSP-5 (also designated cartilage oligomeric protein or COMP). TSP-1 and TSP-2 are homotrimers, consisting of three identical subunits, whereas TSP-3, TSP-4 and TSP-5 are homopentamers.

TSP-1 and TSP-2 are produced by immature astrocytes during brain development, which promotes the development of new synapses.

Thrombospondin 1

Thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1) is encoded by THBS1. It was first isolated from platelets that had been stimulated with thrombin, and so was designated 'thrombin-sensitive protein'. In 2005, ABT-510 was evaluated in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of several types of cancer.

Human proteins containing this domain

ADAMTS1; ADAMTS10; ADAMTS12; ADAMTS13; ADAMTS14; ADAMTS15; ADAMTS16; ADAMTS17;

ADAMTS18; ADAMTS19; ADAMTS2; ADAMTS20; ADAMTS3; ADAMTS4; ADAMTS5; ADAMTS6;

ADAMTS7; ADAMTS8; ADAMTS9; ADAMTSL1; ADAMTSL2; ADAMTSL3; ADAMTSL4; ADAMTSL5;

BAI1; BAI2; BAI3; C6; C7; C8A; C8B; C9;

C9orf8; C9orf94; CFP; CILP; CILP2; CTGF; CYR61; HMCN1;

LIBC; NOV; PAPLN; RSPO1; RSPO3; SEMA5A; SEMA5B; SPON1;

SPON2; SSPO; THBS1; THBS2; THSD1; THSD3; THSD7A; THSD7B;

UNC5A; UNC5B; UNC5C; UNC5D; WISP1; WISP2; WISP3;

References

  • , , , , (also known as "THBS5")