Extracellular matrix heparin molecules

Proteoglycans are major components of the extracellular matrix in animal cells. They are composed of core proteins and glycosaminoglycan polysaccharides. Heparin and heparan sulfate are the most complex glycosaminoglycans, a family of molecules that also includes chon-... 

Early attempts to functionalize biomaterial surfaces with biological molecules were focused on improving blood compatibility of cardiovascular devices, such as the artificial heart and synthetic blood vessels, by immobilizing heparin or albumin on polyurethane or Dacron . To enhance cell adhesion to biomaterial surfaces, entire extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, such as fibronectin and laminin, have been used directly as coatings. However, because of the nonspecific manner of whole protein adsorption, most of the cell binding capability is often lost. Using a molecular templating technique, it may be possible to select which protein(s) to absorb on biomaterial surfaces. ... 

A heparin-binding protein, named penetrin, has been characterized in T. cruzi (83). It is a 60 kDa protein located on the surface of trypomastigotes and adheres to heparin, heparan sulfate, and collagen, three components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Coating of plastic surfaces with these molecules supported the attachment of T. cruzi. Therefore, penetrin may mediate interaction of T. cruzi with ECM and facilitate migration through basement membranes. In addition, penetrin binds to T. cruzi host cells, in a saturable and specific manner, suggesting that penetrin may also promote T. cruzi attachment to and invasion of host cells. Indeed, excess purified penetrin... 

Bashkin, P., Doctrow, S., Klagsbrun, M., Svahn, C.M., Folk-man, J. and Vlodavsky, I. (1989) Basic fibroblast growth factor binds to subendothelial extracellular matrix and is released by heparitinase and heparin-like molecules. Biochemistry 2S 131- 743. 

Heparan sulfate (HS) was distinguished from the pharmaceutical product heparin by its lower extent of sulfation about 50 years ago, but its importance to the cellular economy has only recently become apparent [1], Since the discovery about 30 years ago that it is on the surface of nearly all animal cells, it has been found to be nearly ubiquitous in distribution within secretory vesicles, at cell surfaces and within the extracellular matrix (ECM) [2, 3]. Indeed, HS is covalently associated with distinct proteins at each of these sites. HS is an ancient molecule, appearing in organisms as early as Cnidaria, which likely accounts for its large number of ligands [4],... 

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