Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Minato, M.
Right arrow Articles by Takigawa, M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Minato, M.
Right arrow Articles by Takigawa, M.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

J. Biochem, 2004, Vol. 135, No. 3 347-354
© 2004 The Japanese Biochemical Society

BIOCHEMISTRY

Module-Specific Antibodies against Human Connective Tissue Growth Factor: Utility for Structural and Functional Analysis of the Factor as Related to Chondrocytes

Masanao Minato1,2, Satoshi Kubota1, Harumi Kawaki1, Takashi Nishida1, Akira Miyauchi3, Hiroshi Hanagata4, Tohru Nakanishi1, Teruko Takano-Yamamoto2 and Masaharu Takigawa*,1

1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Dentistry, 2 Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine and Dentistry, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Okayama 700-8525; 3 Kazusa Laboratory, Protein Express Co. Ltd., Kisarazu; and 4 Research Laboratory, Higeta Shoyu Co. Ltd., Choshi

Connective tissue growth factor/hypertrophic chondrocyte specific gene product 24 (CTGF/Hcs24/CCN2) shows diverse functions in the process of endochondral ossification. It promotes not only the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes and osteoblasts in vitro, but also angiogenesis in vivo. The ctgf gene is a member of the gene family called CCN, and it encodes the characteristic 4-module structure of this family, with the protein containing IGFBP, VWC, TSP and CT modules. We raised several monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antisera against CTGF, and located the epitopes in the modules by Western blotting. For mapping the epitopes, Brevibacillus-produced independent modules were utilized. As a result, at least 1 antibody or antiserum was prepared for the detection of each module in CTGF. Western blotting with these antibodies is expected to be useful for the analysis of CTGF fragmentation. Moreover, we examined the effects of these monoclonal antibodies on the biological functions of CTGF. One out of 3 humanized monoclonal antibodies was found to neutralize efficiently the stimulatory effect of CTGF on chondrocytic cell proliferation. This particular antibody bound to the CT module. In contrast, surprisingly, all of the 3 antibodies recognizing IGFBP, VWC and CT modules stimulated proteoglycan synthesis in chondrocytic cells. Together with previous findings, these results provide insight into the structural-functional relationships of CTGF in executing multiple functions.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +81-86-235-6645, Fax: +81-86-235-6649, E-mail: takigawa{at}md.okayama-u.ac.jp


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J BiochemHome page
A. Maeda, T. Nishida, E. Aoyama, S. Kubota, K. M. Lyons, T. Kuboki, and M. Takigawa
CCN Family 2/Connective Tissue Growth Factor Modulates BMP Signalling as a Signal Conductor, Which Action Regulates the Proliferation and Differentiation of Chondrocytes
J. Biochem., February 1, 2009; 145(2): 207 - 216.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J EndocrinolHome page
Z.-Y. Tong and D. R Brigstock
Intrinsic biological activity of the thrombospondin structural homology repeat in connective tissue growth factor.
J. Endocrinol., March 1, 2006; 188(3): R1 - R8.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J BiochemHome page
S. Kubota, K. Kawata, T. Yanagita, H. Doi, T. Kitoh, and M. Takigawa
Abundant Retention and Release of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF/CCN2) by Platelets
J. Biochem., September 1, 2004; 136(3): 279 - 282.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.