Proteoglycans and hyaluronan in female reproductive organs.
Proteoglycans and hyaluronan have been isolated from various female reproductive organs and fetal membranes. Special attention has been directed to changes in the composition of these molecules in the tissue during pregnancy and ovulation. Various chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate proteoglycans, which represent extracellular matrix proteoglycans, are closely related to the organization of connective tissues. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans are widely distributed on the plasma membrane of most mammalian cells including those in the female reproductive organs. They are involved in various aspects of cell-to-cell or cell-to-extracellular matrix interactions. Although the precise biological functions of these proteoglycans are not currently clear, recent advances in biochemistry and molecular biology techniques promise an exciting new development in this area.
Yanagishita
M
M
Bone Research Branch, National Institute of Dental Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
D000818:Animals; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals; D010053:Ovary / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000737:chemistry; D014599:Uterus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D014621:Vagina / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology
D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D011509:Proteoglycans