A personal voyage through the proteoglycan field.
The concept of "proteoglycans" as discrete molecules surfaced some 40 years ago, out of previously muddled notions of the extracellular matrix. Core proteins were gradually recognized as molecular entities, distinct with regard to location, substitution with glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains and biological function. This development is surveyed, with brief outline of methodological approaches, biosynthesis, and functional aspects. Special emphasis is given to the impact of genomics on the field. Some outstanding unresolved issues are emphasized, including regulation of GAG biosynthesis and the specificity of GAG-protein interactions.
Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Box 582, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: ulf.lindahl@imbim.uu.se.
Ulf
U
Lindahl
D000818:Animals; D004194:Disease; D023281:Genomics; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D048788:Growth and Development; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D011509:Proteoglycans
Chondroitin sulfate; Core proteins; GAGosome; Glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis; Glycosaminoglycan chain; Glycosaminoglycan–protein interactions; Heparan sulfate