Syndecans as cell surface receptors: Unique structure equates with functional diversity

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

An increasing number of functions for syndecan cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans have been proposed over the last decade. Moreover, aberrant syndecan regulation has been found to play a critical role in multiple pathologies, including cancers, as well as wound healing and inflammation. As receptors, they have much in common with other molecules on the cell surface. Syndecans are type I transmembrane molecules with cytoplasmic domains that link to the actin cytoskeleton and can interact with a number of regulators. However, they are also highly complex by virtue of their external glycosaminoglycan chains, especially heparan sulfate. This heterodisperse polysaccharide has the potential to interact with many ligands from diverse protein families. Here, we relate the structural features of syndecans to some of their known functions.
Original languageEnglish
JournalMatrix Biology
Volume30
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)93-9
Number of pages7
ISSN0945-053X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2011

ID: 33001609