Deciphering the role of Cartilage protein 1 in human dermal fibroblasts. A transcriptomic approach. RNAseq. Cartilage protein 1 activity

CRTAC1 is an extracellular matrix protein of human chondrogenic tissue that is widely present in eukaryotes and in some prokaryotes. The function of hCRTAC1 remains unknown but the protein’s structure indicates a role in cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions and calcium-binding. On the other hand, fibroblasts functionality has a central role in tissue biology. Thus, the aim of the present work was to provide new insights into the molecular function of hCRTAC1 in dermal fibroblasts using a whole transcriptome analysis approach to identify the main regulatory pathways that mediate the actions of this important protein. We demonstrate for the very first time, that hCRATC1 is involved in extracellular matrix organization, through its regulatory effect on ASPN and DCN activity, in cell proliferation, regeneration and wound healing and as well as collagen degradation. This work provides a deep understanding of hCRTAC1 action in human fibroblasts and a fundamental insight into its function in tissue biology.