CCN3/nov [D9]

CCN3 or NOV (Nephroblastoma overexressed), belongs to the CCN (Cyr61, Ctgf, NOV) family of proteins. The protein encoded by this gene is a small secreted cysteine-rich protein and a member of the CCN family of regulatory proteins. CNN family proteins associate with the extracellular matrix and play an important role in cardiovascular and skeletal development, fibrosis and cancer development. CCN3 modulates bone turnover through various mechanisms and is implicated in the progression of primary bone cancers such as osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma. Research has shown that CCN3 is also involved in the bone metastasis of melanoma, breast cancer, and prostate cancers. Recently, CCN3 was reported to play an important role in stem cell renewal. CCN3 is normally expressed in both embryonic and adult tissues. The activity of CCN3 is influenced by post translational modifications and proteolytic cleavage.