作者: Nikos Afratis , Chrisostomi Gialeli , Dragana Nikitovic , Theodore Tsegenidis , Evgenia Karousou
DOI: 10.1111/J.1742-4658.2012.08529.X
关键词:
摘要: Glycosaminoglycans are natural heteropolysaccharides that present in every mammalian tissue. They composed of repeating disaccharide units consist either sulfated or non-sulfated monosaccharides. Their molecular size and the sulfation type vary depending on tissue, their state as part proteoglycan free chains. In this regard, glycosaminoglycans play important roles physiological pathological conditions. During recent years, cell biology studies have revealed among key macromolecules affect properties functions, acting directly receptors via interactions with growth factors. The accumulated knowledge regarding altered structure several diseases indicates importance biomarkers for disease diagnosis progression, well pharmacological targets. This review summarizes how fine structural characteristics glycosaminoglycans, enzymes involved biosynthesis degradation, signaling, function cancer progression. Prospects glycosaminoglycan-based therapeutic targeting also discussed.