IGFBP6 protein regulates exosome formation

A new paper by the lab team and colleagues has been published in the journal Biochimie

The IGFBP6 protein is a soluble extracellular inhibitor of the growth factor IGFII. Previously, researchers from the Department of Biology and Biotechnology and colleagues have shown that knockdown of the IGFBP6 gene increases cell proliferation and metastatic potential, and disrupts lipid metabolism. In this paper, we demonstrate that knockdown of IGFBP6 more than threefold reduces exosome formation and also reduces the expression of cell adhesion proteins on the surface of exosomes. Exosomes are small membrane vesicles produced by all cell types. It is likely that exosomes can carry out intercellular communication. These results suggest, for the first time, a link between high metastatic potential and reduced exosome secretion.