Unlocking the secrets of syndecans: transgenic organisms as a potential key.
Heparan sulfate proteoglycans are known to modulate the activity of a large number of extracellular ligands thereby having the potential to regulate a great diversity of biological processes. The long-term studies in our laboratory have focused on the syndecans, one of the major cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan families. Most early work on syndecans involved biochemical studies that provided initial information on their structure and putative biological roles. In recent years, the development of transgenic organisms has allowed a more complete understanding of syndecan function. Studies with transgenic syndecan-1 and syndecan-3 mice have demonstrated an unforeseen role for syndecans in the regulation of feeding behavior. Syndecan-1 knockout mice display a reduced susceptibility to both Wnt-induced tumorigenesis and microbial pathogenesis. Experiments with Drosophila show that syndecan is first expressed upon cellularization in the early embryo, and may play a role in the early developmental stages of the fly. This review focuses on these diverse functions of the syndecans that have been elucidated by the use of transgenic mice and Drosophila as model systems.
Bellin
Robert
R
Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Ave., Enders-950, Boston, MA 02115, USA. rbellin@holycross.edu
Capila
Ishan
I
Lincecum
John
J
Park
Pyong Woo
PW
Reizes
Ofer
O
Bernfield
Merton R
MR
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004330:Drosophila; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D053668:Syndecan-1; D053667:Syndecans; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C508241:SDC1 protein, human; C508242:Sdc1 protein, mouse; D053668:Syndecan-1; D053667:Syndecans; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins