title: Novel insight into the biological functions of syndecan ectodomain core proteins.
abstract: Syndecans are a four member family of multifunctional transmembrane heparan sulphate bearing cell surface receptors. Each family member has common molecular architecture but a distinct expression profile. Numerous molecular interactions between syndecan heparan sulphate chains, growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular matrix molecules have been reported and syndecans are intimately associated with cell adhesion and migration. Here, we describe the important emerging concept that contained within syndecan extracellular core proteins are "adhesion regulatory domains." Cell adhesion is driven by the integrins and syndecan ectodomain adhesion regulatory domains can alter integrin driven cellular responses. Cell adhesion and migration is central to numerous pathologies and an understanding of how syndecan ectodomains influence integrins will lead to novel therapeutic strategies.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Microvascular Research, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6B, UK.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Rossi
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Whiteford
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D053667:Syndecans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D053667:Syndecans
keywords: cell adhesion; extracellular matrix; heparan sulphate; proteoglycan; syndecan