title: Syndecan-2.
abstract: The members of the Syndecan family of heparan sulfate proteoglycans play diverse roles in cell adhesion and cell communication by serving as co-receptors for both cell-signaling and extracellular matrix molecules. Syndecan-2 has been implicated in the formation of specialized membrane domains and functions as a direct link between the extracellular environment and the organization of the cortical cytoplasm. Recent studies have shown that syndecan-2 is required for angiogenesis, possibly by serving as a co-receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor, and cell-to-cell signaling during development of left-right asymmetry. This unique combination of activities suggests that syndecan-2 can function as a potential drug target for the development of multi-functional, anti-cancer therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Discovery Genomics Inc., 614 McKinley Place N.E., Minneapolis, MN 55413, USA. jessner@iastate.edu
authors.forename: Jeffrey J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Essner
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Stephen C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Ekker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D053669:Syndecan-2
chemical_list: D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; C508245:SDC2 protein, human; D053669:Syndecan-2