protein_function: Immediate-early protein playing a role in variouscellular processes including proliferation, adhesion, migration,differentiation and survival. Acts by binding to integrins ormembrane receptors such as NOTCH1. Essential regulator ofhematopoietic stem and progenitor cell function. Inhibits myogenicdifferentiation through the activation of Notch-signaling pathway.Inhibits vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation by increasingexpression of cell-cycle regulators such as CDKN2B or CDKN1Aindependently of TGFB1 signaling. Ligand of integrins ITGAV:ITGB3and ITGA5:ITGB1, acts directly upon endothelial cells to stimulatepro-angiogenic activities and induces angiogenesis. In endothelialcells, supports cell adhesion, induces directed cell migration(chemotaxis) and promotes cell survival. Plays also a role incutaneous wound healing acting as integrin receptor ligand.Supports skin fibroblast adhesion through ITGA5:ITGB1 andITGA6:ITGB1 and induces fibroblast chemotaxis through ITGAV:ITGB5.Seems to enhance bFGF-induced DNA synthesis in fibroblasts (Bysimilarity). Involved in bone regeneration as a negative regulator(PubMed:23653360). Enhances the articular chondrocytic phenotype,whereas it repressed the one representing endochondralossification (By similarity). Impairs pancreatic beta-cellfunction, inhibits beta-cell proliferation and insulin secretion(PubMed:23705021). Plays a role as negative regulator ofendothelial pro-inflammatory activation reducing monocyteadhesion, its anti-inflammatory effects occur secondary to theinhibition of NF-kappaB signaling pathway (By similarity).Contributes to the control and coordination of inflammatoryprocesses in atherosclerosis (PubMed:24722330). Attenuatesinflammatory pain through regulation of IL1B- and TNF-inducedMMP9, MMP2 and CCL2 expression. Inhibits MMP9 expression throughITGB1 engagement (By similarity)..
NOV (nephroblastoma overexpressed), also known as CCN3, is a matricellular protein that in humans is encoded by the NOV gene. The protein encoded by this gene is a small secreted cysteine-rich protein and a member of the CCN family of regulatory proteins. This gene is mapped to 8q24.12. NOV is a potentially useful marker for the diagnosis of adrenal gland diseases, malignant adrenocortical tumors, multiple sclerosis and so on. Moreover, reduced expression of NOV in ACTs may play an important role in the process of childhood ACT tumorigenesis. Though studying, it identified Nov as a regulator of human hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells.