Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42647634›Full record

ArticleScience advances2026

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 is a soluble cell adhesion molecule.

Kai Cai, Xuewu Zhang, Xiao-Chen Bai

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Science advances, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Kai CaiDepartment of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-4771-7450
Xuewu ZhangDepartment of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-3634-6711
Xiao-Chen BaiDepartment of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-4234-5686

Funding

Transmembrane signaling mechanisms of plexin - SupplementR35GM130289 · NIGMS · UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · PI Xuewu Zhang · 2019 to 2026
$3.6M
Understanding general principles in receptor tyrosine kinase signaling through structural and functional studiesR35GM156386 · NIGMS · UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · PI Xiaochen Bai · 2025 to 2026
$1.1M
NIGMS NIH HHS R35 GM130289NIGMS NIH HHS R35 GM156386
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) is a secreted protein with diverse roles in angiogenesis, cell differentiation, tissue remodeling, and regulating cell signaling and is linked to numerous human diseases. The molecular basis of the multifunctionality of IGFBP7 remains unclear. Using cryo-electron microscopy, we show that IGFBP7 assembles into a barrel-shaped dodecamer in the presence of heparin. The carboxyl-terminal IgC2 domain forms the central core of the barrel, which is capped by the amino-terminal heparin-binding IB domain at both ends. This homo-oligomer can simultaneously engage heparan sulfate proteoglycans on adjacent cells, functioning as a soluble "cell glue" to drive cell-cell adhesion. Furthermore, IGFBP7 enhances and prolongs signaling of receptor tyrosine kinases, including insulin receptor and c-MET, through its adhesion activity. These findings reveal a structural mechanism for IGFBP7's pleiotropy and establish it as a universal adhesion factor.

Indexed as

Cell Adhesion MoleculesInsulin-Like Growth Factor Binding ProteinsAnimalsCell AdhesionCryoelectron MicroscopyHeparan Sulfate ProteoglycansHeparinHumansModels, MolecularProtein BindingProtein DomainsSignal TransductionCell Adhesion MoleculesHeparan Sulfate ProteoglycansHeparininsulin-like growth factor binding protein-related protein 1Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins

Identifiers

PMID42647634
PMCPMC13510594

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.