Endoglin (CD105) (ENG)

Endoglin (CD105) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein that functions as a co-receptor for the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) receptor complex, specifically interacting with TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta3 (UniProt P17813). It is highly expressed on proliferating endothelial cells, where it plays a vital role in angiogenesis, cell migration, and vascular remodeling (NCBI Gene ID: 2022). In healthy adults, its expression is relatively low in quiescent endothelium but becomes significantly upregulated during tumor-associated neoangiogenesis, making it an attractive therapeutic target (PMID: 21834919). Mutations in the ENG gene are the primary cause of Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia type 1 (HHT1), a disorder characterized by vascular malformations. Therapeutic agents like carotuximab (TRC105) have been developed to bind endoglin, thereby inhibiting TGF-beta signaling and inducing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against tumor vessels (ClinicalTrials.gov). Additionally, soluble endoglin (sENG) serves as a biomarker for preeclampsia and certain metastatic cancers. By targeting the activated endothelium rather than the tumor cells themselves, endoglin-directed therapies offer a strategy to disrupt the essential blood supply required for tumor growth.

Other names

CD105HHT1ORW1END

Inhibition of TGF-beta signaling and induction of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) to disrupt tumor angiogenesis (PMID: 24651535).