pfam07448: Spp-24 (this model, PSSM-Id:284788 is obsolete and has been replaced by 429466)
Secreted phosphoprotein 24 (Spp-24)
This family represents a conserved region approximately 140 residues long within secreted phosphoprotein 24 (Spp-24), which seems to be restricted to vertebrates. This is a non-collagenous protein found in bone that is related in sequence to the cystatin family of thiol protease inhibitors. This suggests that Spp-24 could function to modulate the thiol protease activities known to be involved in bone turnover. It is also possible that the intact form of Spp-24 found in bone could be a precursor to a biologically active peptide that coordinates an aspect of bone turnover.