Dermatopontin is a widely expressed noncollagenous protein component of the extracellular matrix. It is a 22 kDa molecule that is tyrosine sulfated but not glycosylated. Dermatopontin is down regulated in fibrotic growths such as leiomyoma and scar tissue, inhibits cell proliferation, accelerates collagen fibril formation, and stabilizes collagen fibrils against low-temperature dissociation, Dermatopontin deficient mice exhibit altered collagen matrix deposition and organization. Dermatopontin seems to mediate adhesion by cell surface integrin binding, may serve as a communication link between the dermal fibroblast cell surface and its extracellular matrix environment, and enhances TGFB1 activity (By similarity). Dermatopontin promotes bone mineralization under the control of the vitamin D receptor and inhibits BMP-2 effects on osteoblast precursors.
