Perlecan and tumor angiogenesis.

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

Perlecan is a major heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) of basement membranes (BMs) and connective tissues. The core protein of perlecan is divided into five domains based on sequence homology to other known proteins. Commonly, the N-terminal domain I of mammalian perlecan is substituted with three HS chains that can bind a number of matrix molecules, cytokines, and growth factors. Perlecan is essential for metazoan life, as shown by genetic manipulations of nematodes, insects, and mice. There are also known human mutations that can be lethal. In vertebrates, new functions of perlecan emerged with the acquisition of a closed vascular system and skeletal connective tissues. Many of perlecan's functions may be related to the binding and presentation of growth factors to high-affinity tyrosine kinase (TK) receptors. Data are accumulating, as discussed here, that similar growth factor-mediated processes may have unwanted promoting effects on tumor cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis. Understanding of these attributes at the molecular level may offer opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry
Volume51
Issue number11
Pages (from-to)1393-410
Number of pages17
ISSN0022-1554
Publication statusPublished - 2003

Bibliographical note

Keywords: Alternative Splicing; Animals; Extracellular Matrix; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; Humans; Neoplasms; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

ID: 5161012