Role of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in cell-cell signaling in Drosophila.
Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are abundant molecules associated with the cell surface and extracellular matrix, and consist of a protein core to which heparan sulfate (HS) glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains are attached. Although these molecules have been the focus of intense biochemical studies in vitro, their biological functions in vivo were unclear until recently. We have undertaken an in vivo functional study of HSPGs in Drosophila. Our studies, as well as others, demonstrate the critical roles of HSPGs in several major signaling pathways, including ibroblast growth factor (FGF), Wnt, Hedgehog (Hh) and TGF-beta. Our results also suggest that specific HS GAG chain modifications, as well as specific HSPG protein cores, are involved in specific signaling pathways.
Lin
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Division of Developmental Biology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
Perrimon
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N
D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D004330:Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D051155:Wnt1 Protein
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; D019476:Insect Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C113073:TTV protein, Drosophila; D051155:Wnt1 Protein; C074622:wg protein, Drosophila; C077245:hh protein, Drosophila; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors