Background
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Protein NOV homolog, also known as Nephroblastoma-overexpressed gene protein homolog, NOV, and CCN3, issecreted protein which belongs to the CCN family. CCN3 expression was observed in a broad variety of tissues fromthe early stage of development. It contains one CTCK (C-terminal cystine knot-like) domain, one IGFBP N-terminaldomain, one TSP type-1 domain, and one VWFC domain. CCN3, a founding member of the CCN family of growthregulators, was linked with hematology in 2003 when it was detected in human serum. CCN3 acts through the corestem cell signalling pathways including Notch and Bone Morphogenic Protein, connecting CCN3 with the modulation ofself-renewal and maturation of a number of cell lineages including hematopoietic, osteogenic and chondrogenic. AlteredCCN3 expression is associated with numerous solid tumors including glioblastoma, melanoma, adrenocortical tumours, prostate cancer and bone malignancies including osteosarcoma. CCN3 may affect the extracellular environment of theniche for hematopoietic stem cells. CCN3 has emerged as a key player in stem cell regulation, hematopoiesis and acrucial component within the bone marrow microenvironment.
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