SRPX2 is a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) exhibiting significant N-glycosylation, which influences its conformation, interactions, and functions, as evidenced by the enhanced glycosylation and functional impact of the N327S mutation. It plays versatile roles in multiple diseases. SRPX2 promotes cancer progression (e.g., gastric, pancreatic, thyroid, glioblastoma) by enhancing proliferation, migration, invasion, and chemoresistance via pathways like TGF-β, PI3K/AKT, Wnt/β-catenin, and FAK/SRC/ERK, correlating with poor prognosis. SRPX2 also plays critical roles in neurodevelopment; mutations are linked to language disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and potentially Rolandic epilepsy (though evidence is complex and may involve interactions like GRIN2A). SRPX2, a protein characterized by sushi repeat domains, plays a crucial role in synaptogenesis and modulates complement-mediated synaptic pruning processes. Additionally, SRPX2 contributes to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis via TGF-β signaling, angiogenesis via μPAR/integrin signaling, myocardial infarction protection by inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and other conditions. Its context-dependent roles, e.g., pro-fibrotic in lungs vs. protective in heart, and involvement in key signaling pathways highlight its potential as a therapeutic target, though challenges like inhibitor specificity remain.

Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), in collaboration with Prof. Takahiro Nomoto's Lab at the University of Tokyo, will hold a seminar on drug design and rationalization of treatment protocols for photodynamic therapy (PDT) based on singlet oxygen imaging on September 19, at 1:30 pm. This is based on a Japan-Germany Bilateral Collaboration Research between DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) and JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science), with the aim of expanding the framework for joint research on the topic PDT and stimulating its international collaboration.