In the Scott laboratory, we recently identified, using high throughput qPCR arrays, a new player in tendon adaptation (ANGPTL4).  We followed up this insight by analyzing the global transcriptome response of human tendon cells to ANPTL4. The leading functions of ANGPTL4 predicted by the resulting pathway analysis are cell movement and proliferation. Follow up experiments are demonstrating that ANGPTL4 significantly enhances tendon cell proliferation and the cell cycle progression, as well as tendon cell adhesion and migration – key functions in the response of tendons to exercise. Taken together, these studies are providing novel molecular insights into the effects of proteins that regulate the physiological response to exercise, on fundamental tendon cell functions.