title: Chondroitin sulfate: a key molecule in the brain matrix.
abstract: Chondroitin sulfate is a glycosaminoglycan composed of N-acetylgalactosamine and glucuronic acid. It attaches to a core protein to form chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG). Being a major component of the brain extracellular matrix, CSPGs are involved in neural development, axon pathfinding and guidance, plasticity and also regeneration after injury in the nervous system. In this review, we shall discuss the structure, the biosynthetic pathway, its functions in the nervous system and how we can improve regeneration in the nervous system by modulating its structure and binding properties.
authors.affiliation: Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0PY, United Kingdom. jcfk2@cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: J C F
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kwok
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Fawcett
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates