Heparan sulfate proteoglycans in cell dynamics

Abstract

Glycoproteins are the most abundant forms of proteins in complex organisms, and this post-translational modification is responsible for many of the fine control mechanisms that coordinate the events that allow the existence of complex life. Sindecan-4 (Syn4), transmembrane proteoglycans, plays an important role in cellular behavior, due to its interaction via Heparan Sulfate (HS) chains, with a variety of extracellular region molecules. These molecules physically communicate the ECM to the cytoskeleton, acting as signal transducer from the extracellular environment to the intracellular environment and vice versa. Due to this property, a myriad of cellular functions can be affected, such as: cell differentiation, proliferation, migration, apoptosis and inflammatory response. This project aims to establish the molecular basis of possible functional complexes among proteoglycans, integrins, cellular receptors and MEC components in cell dynamics using molecular and cellular biology tools. (AU)