Syndecan

Syndecan is a type of proteoglycan that is found on the surface of cells in the cell membrane. It is a member of the syndecan family, which includes four known members: Syndecan-1, Syndecan-2, Syndecan-3, and Syndecan-4. These proteins play a crucial role in cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and cell migration.

Structure

Syndecans are composed of a core protein and several glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains. The core protein has a short cytoplasmic domain, a single transmembrane domain, and a large extracellular domain. The GAG chains are attached to the extracellular domain and can be either heparan sulfate or chondroitin sulfate.

Function

Syndecans have a variety of functions in the body. They are involved in the regulation of cell growth and cell division, and they also play a role in wound healing and inflammation. In addition, syndecans can interact with other proteins, such as growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular matrix proteins, to modulate their activity.

Clinical significance

Alterations in syndecan expression or function have been associated with a number of diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases. For example, increased expression of Syndecan-1 has been observed in several types of cancer, including breast cancer and multiple myeloma. On the other hand, decreased expression of Syndecan-1 has been associated with poor prognosis in lung cancer and colorectal cancer.

See also

• Proteoglycan
• Cell adhesion
• Cell proliferation
• Cell migration

References

Syndecan Resources
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