Nuclear translocation of heparan sulfate proteoglycans and their functional significance.
BACKGROUND
Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are important constituents of the cell membrane and they act as co-receptors for cellular signaling. Syndecan-1, glypican and perlecan also translocate to the nucleus in a regulated manner. Similar nuclear transport of growth factors and heparanase indicate a possible co-regulation and functional significance.


METHODS
In this review we dissect the structural requirement for the nuclear translocation of HSPGs and their functional implications.s


CONCLUSIONS
The functions of the nuclear HSPGs are still incompletely understood. Evidence point to possible functions in hampering cell proliferation, inhibition of DNA topoisomerase I activity and inhibition of gene transcription.


CONCLUSIONS
HSPGs influence the behavior of malignant tumors in many different ways. Modulating their functions may offer powerful tools to control fundamental biological processes and provide the basis for subsequent targeted therapies in cancer. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Matrix-mediated cell behaviour and properties.
First Department of Pathology & Experimental Cancer Research Semmelweis University, Üllői street 26, Budapest 1085, Hungary.
Ilona
I
Kovalszky
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital F46, SE-141 86 Stockholm Sweden.
Anders
A
Hjerpe
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital F46, SE-141 86 Stockholm Sweden. Electronic address: katalin.dobra@ki.se.
Katalin
K
Dobra
D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D021381:Protein Transport; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical
D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans
Gene transcription; Heparan sulfate; Nuclear translocation; Proliferation; Proteoglycan