Journal
MOLECULES
Volume 22, Issue 5, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/molecules22050713
Keywords
heparin; heparan sulphate; TGF-beta; bone morphogenetic protein (BMP); growth and differentiation factor (GDF); GDNF; BMP antagonists; noggin; sclerostin; gremlin
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Of the circa 40 cytokines of the TGF-beta superfamily, around a third are currently known to bind to heparin and heparan sulphate. This includes TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, certain bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and growth and differentiation factors (GDFs), as well as GDNF and two of its close homologues. Experimental studies of their heparin/HS binding sites reveal a diversity of locations around the shared cystine-knot protein fold. The activities of the TGF-beta cytokines in controlling proliferation, differentiation and survival in a range of cell types are in part regulated by a number of specific, secreted BMP antagonist proteins. These vary in structure but seven belong to the CAN or DAN family, which shares the TGF-beta type cystine-knot domain. Other antagonists are more distant members of the TGF-beta superfamily. It is emerging that the majority, but not all, of the antagonists are also heparin binding proteins. Any future exploitation of the TGF-beta cytokines in the therapy of chronic diseases will need to fully consider their interactions with glycosaminoglycans and the implications of this in terms of their bioavailability and biological activity.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available