The CCN family of matricellular proteins directly or indirectly affects development and differentiation. A recent report written by Tan and colleagues (Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 295: C740-C751 2008) shows that CCN2 inhibits adipocyte differentiation. This commentary summarizes these observations.
Division of Oral Biology and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Dental Sciences Building, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada, Andrew.Leask@schulich.uwo.ca.