: The small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycans, decorin and biglycan, are biological modulators of extracellular matrix assembly and cell growth in health and diverse pathological conditions such as cancer and fibrotic disease Our central hypothesis is that these closely related members of the small leucine-rich proteoglycan family are multifunctional glycoconjugates that exert their regulatory effects by simultaneously acting on several targets, including: (1) binding to collagen and regulating the temporal and spatial kinetics of fibrillogenesis; (2) modulating the activity and availability of TGF-b, a cytokine that regulates cell proliferation, cell migration, and synthesis of matrix components; and (3) interacting with the epidermal growth factor receptor and thereby modulating cell proliferation. We have shown that the complex folding and post-translational processing of decorin and biglycan are critical to many of their functions. Furthermore, it is clear that the multitude of in vitro activities ascribed to decorin and biglycan may not be physiologically relevant in vivo, and the therapeutic potential of these molecules in fibrotic disease and cancer will only be realized by a systematic approach that demonstrates a direct link between biological activity and physiological response. The goal of this research is to advance understanding of decorin and biglycan biology by elucidating molecular mechanisms by which they regulate extracellular matrix assembly, matrix deposition, and cell growth. We will investigate and characterize in detail the interaction with type I collagen, modulation of TGF-b activity, and influence on EGF-receptor controlled suppression of cell growth. We will map specific binding sites through generation of recombinant proteoglycans, core proteins, decorin-biglycan chimeras, and leucine-rich repeat replacement mutants, wherein the native structure is maintained but specific protein binding domains are disrupted.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AR042826-08
Application #
6632613
Study Section
Pathobiochemistry Study Section (PBC)
Program Officer
Tyree, Bernadette
Project Start
1995-03-31
Project End
2005-05-31
Budget Start
2003-06-01
Budget End
2004-05-31
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$236,880
Indirect Cost
Name
Lifecell Corporation
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Somerville
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
08876
Amenta, Alison R; Creely, Hilliary E; Mercado, Mary Lynn T et al. (2012) Biglycan is an extracellular MuSK binding protein important for synapse stability. J Neurosci 32:2324-34
Mercado, Mary Lynn; Amenta, Alison R; Hagiwara, Hiroki et al. (2006) Biglycan regulates the expression and sarcolemmal localization of dystrobrevin, syntrophin, and nNOS. FASEB J 20:1724-6
Seo, Neung-Seon; Hocking, Anne M; Hook, Magnus et al. (2005) Decorin core protein secretion is regulated by N-linked oligosaccharide and glycosaminoglycan additions. J Biol Chem 280:42774-84
Goldoni, Silvia; Owens, Rick T; McQuillan, David J et al. (2004) Biologically active decorin is a monomer in solution. J Biol Chem 279:6606-12
Neame, P J; Kay, C J; McQuillan, D J et al. (2000) Independent modulation of collagen fibrillogenesis by decorin and lumican. Cell Mol Life Sci 57:859-63
Iozzo, R V; Moscatello, D K; McQuillan, D J et al. (1999) Decorin is a biological ligand for the epidermal growth factor receptor. J Biol Chem 274:4489-92
Yang, V W; LaBrenz, S R; Rosenberg, L C et al. (1999) Decorin is a Zn2+ metalloprotein. J Biol Chem 274:12454-60
Krishnan, P; Hocking, A M; Scholtz, J M et al. (1999) Distinct secondary structures of the leucine-rich repeat proteoglycans decorin and biglycan. Glycosylation-dependent conformational stability. J Biol Chem 274:10945-50
Ramamurthy, P; Hocking, A M; McQuillan, D J (1996) Recombinant decorin glycoforms. Purification and structure. J Biol Chem 271:19578-84
Marchetti, D; McQuillan, D J; Spohn, W C et al. (1996) Neurotrophin stimulation of human melanoma cell invasion: selected enhancement of heparanase activity and heparanase degradation of specific heparan sulfate subpopulations. Cancer Res 56:2856-63

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