SPARC Related Modular Calcium Binding Protein 2 (SMOC2)

SMOC2 encodes a member of the SPARC family, which are highly expressed during embryogenesis and wound healing. The gene product is a matricellular protein which promotes matrix assembly and can stimulate endothelial cell proliferation and migration, as well as angiogenic activity. Associated with pulmonary function, this secretory gene product contains a Kazal domain, two thymoglobulin type-1 domains, and two EF-hand calcium-binding domains. The encoded protein may serve as a target for controlling angiogenesis in tumor growth and myocardial ischemia. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. The deduced 446-amino acid protein contains 2 thyroglobulin type-1 domains, 2 EF-hand calcium-binding domains, and a putative signal peptide. It shares 94% sequence identity with mouse Smoc2.