Syndecans-2 and -4; close cousins, but not identical twins.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › peer-review
The vertebrate syndecans, which make up a four-member family of small type I transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans, constitute evolutionarily conserved family proteins. In particular, sequences in the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains are a unifying feature within the family. However, the extracellular domain sequences are molecule-specific, implying that different syndecans have evolved to carry out similar, but non-identical, functions. While all four syndecans have been implicated in regulation of the cytoskeleton, their roles are clearly complex. Recent developments indicate that the closely related syndecan-2 and -4 have separable functions, though both bind a number of ligands through their heparan sulfate chains. The specification of these activities is probably core protein related, but is it due to a distinct expression pattern or molecule-specific regulatory mechanisms? Although there is not yet enough data to provide unambiguous answers, here we shall review the known functions and regulatory mechanisms of syndecan-2 and -4.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Molecules and Cells |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 2 |
Pages (from-to) | 181-7 |
Number of pages | 6 |
ISSN | 1016-8478 |
Publication status | Published - 2004 |
Bibliographical note
Keywords: Animals; Cell Adhesion; Cell Division; Cytoskeleton; Growth Substances; Humans; Membrane Glycoproteins; Neovascularization, Physiologic; Protein Conformation; Proteoglycans; Syndecan-2; Syndecan-4; Tissue Distribution
ID: 5160964