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Critical Reviews™ in Eukaryotic Gene Expression

ISSN for PRINT: 1045-4403

Institutional price:	$708.00
Issues per year:	4

Best Paper Award Selection - Editorial Board Site

2004, Volume14

93 pages

DOI: 10.1615/CritRevEukaryotGeneExpr.v14.i3

Issue price - $169.00

The Regulated Synthesis of Versican, Decorin, and Biglycan: Extracellular Matrix Proteoglycans That Influence Cellular Phenotype

Michael G. Kinsella
Department of Vascular Biology, The Hope Heart Institute, Seattle, WA

Steven L. Bressler
Department of Vascular Biology, The Hope Heart Institute, Seattle, WA

Thomas N. Wight
Department of Vascular Biology, The Hope Heart Institute, Seattle, WA

ABSTRACT

The principal extracellular matrix (ECM) chondroitin/dermatan sulfate proteoglycans include members of two gene families—the large aggregating chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (lecticans) and the small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs). These families of proteoglycans are widely distributed within the interstitial matrix, where they are known to bind a variety of both soluble and insoluble ligands. Extensive structural studies and data concerning the synthesis of these proteoglycans have been published over the last few years. This review focuses on the regulation of the expression of the lectican, versican, and the SLRPs—decorin and biglycan, as well-studied and widely distributed examples of these families of ECM proteoglycans. In addition, the effects of these proteoglycans on the formation of the ECM and the response of cells to growth factors and cytokines are examined as mechanisms by which versican, decorin and biglycan, both directly and indirectly influence cellular proliferation, migration, and phenotype.