Follistatin-like protein 3, Follistatin-related gene protein, FSTL3, FSRP, Follistatin-Related Protein, Follistatin Like 3, Follistatin-Like 3 (Secreted Glycoprotein), Follistatin-Related Protein 3
Human follistatin-related protein 3 (FSTL3) is a secrected glycoprotein, which is structurally and functionally related to the activin-binding protein follistatin. It is expressed in various organs and tissues such as placenta, testis, heart and lung and plays an important role in a variety of cellular functions. By binding to activin-A and myostatin, both members of the TGF-ß family, FSTL3 antagonizes their cellular activity, thereby regulating physiological processes including cell differentiation and proliferation, metabolic pathways, inflammation and tumor development.