GRAS

Glypican-1
Identifiers
Symbol	?
NCBI gene	2817
HGNC	4454
OMIM	602446
RefSeq	NM_002081
UniProt	P35052
Search for Structures Swiss-model Domains InterPro

Glypican-1 (GPC1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the GPC1 gene. Glypicans are a family of heparan sulfate proteoglycans that are attached to the cell membrane via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. They play a crucial role in the regulation of cell growth and division, and are involved in various cellular processes including signal transduction, cell adhesion, and morphogenesis.

Structure

Glypican-1 is a member of the glypican family, which consists of six members in mammals. The core protein of glypican-1 is approximately 558 amino acids in length and is characterized by the presence of multiple heparan sulfate chains. These chains are covalently attached to the core protein and are essential for its function in modulating interactions with growth factors and other signaling molecules.

Function

Glypican-1 is involved in the regulation of several signaling pathways, including those mediated by fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), Wnt proteins, and hedgehog proteins. It acts as a co-receptor, facilitating the binding of these growth factors to their respective receptors on the cell surface. This interaction is crucial for the activation of downstream signaling cascades that control cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration.

In addition to its role in normal cellular processes, glypican-1 has been implicated in the progression of certain types of cancer. Overexpression of GPC1 has been observed in pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, and glioma, where it may contribute to tumor growth and metastasis by enhancing growth factor signaling.

Clinical Significance

The expression of glypican-1 is altered in various pathological conditions. In cancer, GPC1 is often upregulated, and its presence in exosomes has been proposed as a potential biomarker for the early detection of pancreatic cancer. Studies have shown that GPC1-positive exosomes can be detected in the blood of patients with pancreatic cancer, suggesting a role for GPC1 in non-invasive cancer diagnostics.

Research Directions

Current research is focused on understanding the precise mechanisms by which glypican-1 modulates signaling pathways and contributes to disease progression. There is also interest in developing therapeutic strategies that target GPC1, either by inhibiting its function or by using it as a delivery vehicle for anti-cancer drugs.

Also see

• Heparan sulfate proteoglycan
• Signal transduction
• Cell adhesion
• Pancreatic cancer
• Exosome (vesicle)

Cell biology