SOSTDC1 explained

Sclerostin domain-containing protein 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SOSTDC1 gene.^[1]

Function

This gene is a member of the sclerostin family and encodes Uterine sensitization-associated gene-1 (USAG-1), an N-glycosylated, secreted protein with a C-terminal, cystine, knot-like domain. This protein functions as a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist. Specifically, it directly associates with BMPs, prohibiting them from binding their receptors, thereby regulating BMP signaling during cellular proliferation, differentiation, and programmed cell death.

Inhibition of USAG-1 is of interest as a potential means of stimulating tooth regeneration for dentistry.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Further reading

• Yanagita M . BMP antagonists: their roles in development and involvement in pathophysiology . Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews . 16 . 3 . 309–17 . June 2005 . 15951218 . 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2005.02.007 .
• Laurikkala J, Kassai Y, Pakkasjärvi L, Thesleff I, Itoh N . Identification of a secreted BMP antagonist, ectodin, integrating BMP, FGF, and SHH signals from the tooth enamel knot . Developmental Biology . 264 . 1 . 91–105 . December 2003 . 14623234 . 10.1016/j.ydbio.2003.08.011 . free .
• Yanagita M, Oka M, Watabe T, Iguchi H, Niida A, Takahashi S, Akiyama T, Miyazono K, Yanagisawa M, Sakurai T . USAG-1: a bone morphogenetic protein antagonist abundantly expressed in the kidney . Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications . 316 . 2 . 490–500 . April 2004 . 15020244 . 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.02.075 .
• Goto M, Eddy EM . Speriolin is a novel spermatogenic cell-specific centrosomal protein associated with the seventh WD motif of Cdc20 . The Journal of Biological Chemistry . 279 . 40 . 42128–38 . October 2004 . 15280373 . 10.1074/jbc.M403190200 . free .

Notes and References

1. Web site: Entrez Gene: SOSTDC1 sclerostin domain containing 1.
2. Murashima-Suginami A, Kiso H, Tokita Y, Mihara E, Nambu Y, Uozumi R, Tabata Y, Bessho K, Takagi J, Sugai M, Takahashi K . Anti-USAG-1 therapy for tooth regeneration through enhanced BMP signaling . Science Advances . 7 . 7 . February 2021 . 33579703 . 7880588 . 10.1126/sciadv.abf1798 .
3. Ravi V, Murashima-Suginami A, Kiso H, Tokita Y, Huang CL, Bessho K, Takagi J, Sugai M, Tabata Y, Takahashi K . Advances in tooth agenesis and tooth regeneration . Regenerative Therapy . 22 . 160–168 . March 2023 . 36819612 . 9931762 . 10.1016/j.reth.2023.01.004 .
4. Web site: World's 1st 'tooth regrowth' medicine moves toward clinical trials in Japan. . Mainichi . 12 June 2023 .