Endoglin is a 180 kDa protein that functions as a co-receptor for ligands of the TGF-β superfamily . It is composed of an extracellular domain, a single transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. The extracellular domain contains a zona pellucida (ZP) domain and an orphan domain (OD), which is unique and does not have homology to any other known protein .
Endoglin interacts with the type I TGF-β signaling receptor activin receptor-like kinase (ALK)1 and modulates cellular responses to Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP)-9 and BMP-10 . This interaction is essential for the regulation of angiogenesis, particularly during development and in response to injury .
Recombinant endoglin, including mouse recombinant endoglin, is produced using various expression systems to study its structure and function in vitro. These recombinant proteins are often used in research to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying endoglin’s role in vascular biology and its involvement in diseases such as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and preeclampsia .
Recombinant endoglin is utilized in various experimental setups, including surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and cellular assays, to study its binding properties and interactions with other proteins . These studies have provided insights into the recognition and binding ability of endoglin to BMP-9 and its role in dimerization, which is crucial for its function .
Endoglin’s role in angiogenesis makes it a potential therapeutic target for diseases characterized by abnormal blood vessel formation. Understanding the molecular details of endoglin’s interactions and functions can lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and fibrotic disorders .