CTHRC1 (human) (rec.)

Human CTHRC1 (aa 31-243) is fused at the N-terminus to a FLAG(R)-tag. Collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 (CTHRC1) is a 30kDa glycosylated secretory protein containing a short collagen-like motif contributing to vascular remodeling by limiting collagen matrix deposition and promoting cell migration. CTHRC1 is expressed in calcified atherosclerotic plaque and chondrocyte-like cells, in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and remodeling tissues. Aberrant expression of CTHRC1 is present in human solid cancers and likely to be associated with cancer invasion and metastasis. With adiponectin and other members of the C1q/TNF-related protein (CTRP) family, CTHRC1 shares the presence of a short N-terminal collagen domain but it lacks the characteristic C1q domain that defines the CTRP family of proteins. A recent study identifies CTHRC1 as a novel circulating hormone with metabolic effects.