SOST

Sclerostin (SOST), also known as CDD or VBCH, encoded by SOST gene, is a glycoprotein mainly secreted by osteocytes which contain 6 conservative cysteine residues and a conservative glycine residue. It can bind to the coreceptors low-density lipoprotein receptor-related proteins 5 and 6 (LRP-5 and LRP-6), then preventing Wnt proteins from interaction with LRP-5/LRP-6, leading to the depression of Wnt signaling pathway. It has been proved that the Wnt signaling pathway is a key modulating pathway in bone formation. And the deficiency of SOST is associated with sclerosteosis which can trigger a progressive bone overgrowth.
The SOST is restrictedly expressed in kidney. A number of studies have been shown that SOST is associated with various diseases, including sclerosteosis, van buchem disease, chronic kidney diseases, osteoporosis, hyperthyroidism, arterial stiffness, acute ischaemic stroke. These suggest that SOST can be considered as a potential therapeutic target to apply to treat the kinds of diseases. And SOST has become an attractive therapeutic target for osteoporosis treatment.
Gene ID: 50964
UniProt ID: Q9BQB4