Proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans research

Structure of the human heparan sulfate polymerase complex EXT1-EXT2

The paper presents the cryo-EM structure of the human EXT1-EXT2 complex, revealing its dimeric architecture and catalytic specificity in heparan sulfate biosynthesis.

Interphotoreceptor matrix proteoglycans IMPG1 and IMPG2 proteolyze in the SEA domain and reveal localization mutual dependency

This study shows that proteolysis of IMPG1 and IMPG2 in the SEA domain is part of their maturation and that their trafficking is co-dependent, with implications for vision diseases.

Chondroitin sulfates enhances the barrier function of basement membrane assembled by heparan sulfates

This study shows that chondroitin sulfates and heparan sulfates play distinct roles in the assembly and barrier function of the retinal basement membrane.

Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4,6 sulfation regulates sympathetic nerve regeneration after myocardial infarction

This study shows that reducing 4S,6S sulfation of CSPGs promotes sympathetic nerve regeneration and reduces arrhythmias after myocardial infarction.

An in vitro neuronal model replicating the in vivo maturation and heterogeneity of perineuronal nets

This paper develops a primary neuronal culture model that replicates the in vivo maturation and heterogeneity of perineuronal nets.

Syndecan Regulates Cellular Morphogenesis in Cooperation with the Netrin Guidance Pathway and Rho-family GTPases

This study shows that Syndecan, an HSPG, regulates the number of cellular projections in C. elegans excretory canal cells through interactions with Netrin guidance receptors and Rho-family GTPases.

FIBCD1 is a Conserved Receptor for Chondroitin Sulphate Proteoglycans of the Brain Extracellular Matrix and a Candidate Gene for a Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder

This study identifies FIBCD1 as a conserved receptor for chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans in the brain ECM, linking it to neurodevelopmental disorders through genetic and functional analyses.

Heparan Sulfated Glypican-4 is Released from Astrocytes Predominantly by Proteolytic Shedding

This study identifies proteolytic shedding as the primary mechanism for releasing GPI-anchored GPC4 from astrocytes, with ADAM9 mediating part of this process.

Multiple Dimerizing Motifs Modulate the Dimerizations of the Syndecan Transmembrane Domains

This study investigates the dimerization mechanisms of syndecan transmembrane domains using molecular dynamics simulations, revealing how different dimerizing motifs influence stability and specificity.

The versican-hyaluronan complex provides an essential extracellular matrix niche for Flk1+ hematoendothelial progenitors

This study identifies the versican-hyaluronan complex as essential for vasculogenesis and primitive hematopoiesis by providing a niche for Flk1+ progenitors during gastrulation.

b3galt6 knock-out zebrafish recapitulate β3GalT6-deficiency disorders in human and reveal a trisaccharide proteoglycan linkage region

This study shows that b3galt6 knock-out zebrafish exhibit human β3GalT6-deficiency disorders, revealing a novel proteoglycan linkage region mechanism.

Vascular dimorphism ensured by regulated proteoglycan dynamics favors rapid umbilical artery closure at birth

The paper identifies differential proteoglycan dynamics in umbilical artery and vein as the mechanism ensuring rapid arterial closure and venous patency at birth.

The effects of YKL-40 on angiogenic potential of HUVECs are partly mediated by syndecan-4

This study investigates how YKL-40 affects HUVEC migration and tube formation via syndecan-4, showing suppression of PKC and ERK1/2 signaling when syndecan-4 is knocked down.

N-glycosylation blocks and simultaneously fosters different receptor-ligand binding sites: the chameleonic CD44-hyaluronan interaction

This study shows how N-glycosylation modulates CD44's binding to hyaluronan by altering binding site affinity and promoting weaker interactions.

Restoring the pattern of perineuronal net sulphation corrects age-related memory loss

The paper shows that restoring C6S levels in aged brains improves memory by reversing perineuronal net inhibition.

Reconstruction of the carbohydrate 6-O sulfotransferase gene family evolution in vertebrates reveals novel member, CHST16, lost in amniotes

The paper reconstructs the evolution of the C6OST gene family in vertebrates, identifying a novel member CHST16 lost in amniotes and tracing gene duplications across different vertebrate lineages.

Epigenetic mechanism of carbohydrate sulfotransferase 3 (CHST3) downregulation in the aging brain

This study identifies age-related downregulation of CHST3 gene expression in the aging mouse brain, linked to epigenetic changes and cognitive decline.

Click-xylosides overcome neurotoxic effects of reactive astrocytes and promote neuronal growth in a cell culture model of brain injury

This study shows click-xylosides reduce inhibitory CSPG secretion by astrocytes, promoting neuronal growth in a brain injury model.