Fibulin-1 and Fibulin-2 associate with Fibronectin and other extracellular matrix proteins. In bone marrow, Fibulin-1 and Fibulin-2 bind to Fibronectin in the adherent layer. Fibulin-1 expression is stimulated by estrogen in ovarian cancer cell lines and has been suggested as both an agent of metastasis in ovarian cancer cells and as an indicator for predicting cancer risk or aggressiveness in ovarian carcinomas. The mobility of cancer cells may be inhibited with increasing exposure to Fibulin-1. Fibulin-2 binds to the lectin domains of extracellular matrix proteins aggrecan, versican and brevican. Fibulin-2 is abundantly expressed in heart, placenta and ovarian tissue, where it localizes to basement membranes and connective tissue compartments. In mice, differential Fibulin-2 gene expression correlates with the early phase of diabetic kidneys and glomerulosclerosis. The gene encoding human Fibulin-2 maps to chromosome 3p25.1.
