The DCBLD receptor family: emerging signaling roles in development, homeostasis and disease

The discoidin, CUB, and LCCL domain-containing (DCBLD) receptor family are composed of the type-I transmembrane proteins DCBLD1 and DCBLD2 (also ESDN and CLCP1). These proteins are highly conserved across vertebrates and possess similar domain structure to that of neuropilins, which act as critical co-receptors in developmental processes. Although DCBLD1 remains largely uncharacterized, the functional and mechanistic roles of DCBLD2 are emerging. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of this presumed receptor family, ranging from structural and signaling aspects to their associations with cancer, physiology, and development.