Syndecans shed their reputation as inert molecules

Mark D. Bass, Mark R. Morgan, Martin J. Humphries

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    The syndecan transmembrane proteoglycans synergize with receptors for extracellular matrix molecules and growth factors to initiate cytoplasmic signals in response to a range of extracellular stimuli. Syndecans influence a wide range of physiological processes, but their contribution is most apparent during wound repair. Aspects of syndecan biology that have attracted research interest include extracellular matrix binding, outside-to-inside plasma membrane signal propagation, activation of cytoplasmic signals, and shedding of the syndecan extracellular domain, but the mechanisms by which syndecan cytoplasmic signals modulate extracellular function remain largely unresolved. Hayashida et al. have now discovered that association between an endocytic regulator, Rab5, and the syndecan-1 cytoplasmic domain controlled the shedding of the syndecan-1 extracellular domain. The work describes a mechanistic investigation into inside-to-outside syndecan signaling and highlights several gaps in our understanding of the r lation between cell-surface receptors and proteases. In this Perspective, we summarize the current understanding of receptor interplay and identify the challenges that face investigators of adhesionand growth factor-dependent signaling.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)pe18
    JournalScience Signaling
    Volume2
    Issue number64
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 31 Mar 2009

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