Biological functions of the WAP domain-containing multidomain proteins WFIKKN1 and WFIKKN2

Biochem Soc Trans. 2011 Oct;39(5):1416-20. doi: 10.1042/BST0391416.

Abstract

WFIKKN1 and WFIKKN2 are two closely related multidomain proteins consisting of a WAP (whey acidic protein)-, a follistatin-, an immunoglobulin-, two Kunitz-type protease inhibitor-domains and an NTR domain (netrin domain). Recent experiments have shown that both WFIKKN1 and WFIKKN2 bind myostatin and GDF11 (growth and differentiation factor 11) with high affinity and are potent antagonists of these growth factors. Structure-function studies on WFIKKN proteins have revealed that their interactions with GDF8 and GDF11 are mediated primarily by the follistatin and NTR domains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Milk Proteins / chemistry*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary*
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Trypsin / metabolism
  • Trypsin Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Trypsin Inhibitors / metabolism

Substances

  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Milk Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Trypsin Inhibitors
  • WFIKKN2 protein, human
  • whey acidic proteins
  • Trypsin