Structural and cell adhesion properties of zebrafish syndecan-4 are shared with higher vertebrates.

ABSTRACT: The syndecan proteoglycans are an ancient class of receptor, bearing heparan sulfate chains that interact with numerous potential ligands including growth factors, morphogens, and extracellular matrix molecules. The single syndecan of invertebrates appears not to have cell adhesion roles, but these have been described for mammalian paralogues, especially syndecan-4. This member is best understood in terms of interactions, signaling, and structure of its cytoplasmic domain. The zebrafish homologue of syndecan-4 has been genetically linked to cell adhesion and migration in zebrafish embryos, but no molecular and cellular studies have been reported. Here it is demonstrated that key functional attributes of syndecan-4 are common to both zebrafish and mammalian homologues. These include glycosa

SUBMITTER: Whiteford JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2662019 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature