Description
Osteopontin (OPN), also known as bone sialoprotein (BSP), is a secreted SIBLING family protein that can be variably modified by O- and N-glycosylation, sulfation, phosphorylation, and transglutamination. OPN is widely expressed and is prominent in mineralized tissues. It inhibits bone mineralization and kidney stone formation and promotes inflammation, cell adhesion, and migration. Its expression is upregulated during inflammation, obesity, atherosclerosis, cancer, and tissue damage and contributes to the pathophysiology of these conditions. The central region of OPN contains RGD and non-RGD binding sites for multiple integrins. Adjacent to the RGD motif is the sequence SLAYGLR (SVVYGLR in human) which serves as a cryptic binding site for additional integrins: it is masked in full length OPN but is exposed following OPN cleavage by multiple proteases in tumors and sites of tissue injury