Repulsive guidance molecule B (RGMb), also known as DRAGON (DRG11-responsive axonal guidance and outgrowth of neurite), is a

bone morphogenetic protein Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a group of growth factors also known as cytokines and as metabologens. Originally discovered by their ability to induce the formation of bone and cartilage, BMPs are now considered to constitute a group of ...

(BMP) co-receptor of the

repulsive guidance molecule Repulsive guidance molecules (RGMs) are members of a three gene family (in vertebrates) composed of RGMA, RGMa, RGMB, RGMb, and hemojuvelin, RGMc (also called hemojuvelin). RGMa has been implicated to play an important role in the Neural developmen ...

family. In humans this

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respon ...

is encoded by the ''RGMB''

gene In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...

Function

RGMB is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored member of the

family (see also RGMA and RGMC) and contributes to the patterning of the developing nervous system. There is a potential association between RGMs and cancer bone metastasis, as RGMs coordinate

(BMP) signaling. RGMB may act as a negative regulator ''in vitro'' in

breast cancer Breast cancer is cancer that develops from breast tissue. Signs of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast, a change in breast shape, dimpling of the skin, milk rejection, fluid coming from the nipple, a newly inverted nipple, or ...

and

prostate cancer Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancerous tumor worldwide and is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system that su ...

through BMP signalling. Furthermore, aberrant expression of RGMs was indicated in breast cancer. The perturbed expression was associated with disease progression and poor prognosis.

Function

References

Further reading