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[Oncogenic activation of p21ras or pp60c-src in human colonic Caco-2 cells induces post-translation alterations of syndecan-1].

The protein encoded by ras and src protooncogenes are frequently activated in a constitutive state in human colorectal cancer. In this study, we investigated the effect of oncogenic p21ras and Py-MT/pp60c-src on the synthesis of syndecan-1, a membrane anchored proteoglycan playing a role in cell-matrix interaction and neoplastic growth control. To this end, we used Caco-2 cells transfected with an activated (Val-12) human Ha-ras gene or the polyoma middle T (Py-MT) oncogene, a constitutive activator of pp60c-src tyrosine kinase activity. As compared to control vector-transfected Caco-2 cells, both oncogene-transfected cells exhibited: (1) a decrease in syndecan-1 specific activity; (2) a decrease in size and sulfation of syndecan-1 ectodomain glycosaminoglycan side chains; and (3) an active heparanase specifically degrading the heparan sulfate chains. In conclusion, the tumorigenic progression induced by oncogenic p21ras or Py-MT/pp60c-src is associated with marked alterations of syndecan-1 at the post-translational level.

Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming↗

Syndecan-4 as antithrombin receptor of human neutrophils.

Antithrombin inhibits chemokine-induced migration of neutrophils by activating heparan sulfate proteoglycan-dependent signaling. Mechanisms of antithrombin's effects on neutrophils were, therefore, studied by testing function and expression of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in RT-PCR or flow cytometry and cell migration assays, respectively. In vitro effects of antithrombin on human neutrophil migration in modified Boyden chambers were abolished by pretreating cells with heparinase-1, chondroitinase, sodium chlorate, and anti-syndecan-4 antibodies. Expression of syndecan-4 mRNA and protein in neutrophils was demonstrated in RT-PCR and anti-syndecan-4 immunoreactivity assay, respectively. In the presence of pentasaccharide, antithrombin lost its activity on the cells. Data suggest that antithrombin regulates neutrophil migration via effects of its heparin-binding site on cell surface syndecan-4.

Antibodies↗

Molecular interactions of syndecans during development.

The syndecans, cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), bind numerous ligands via their HS glycosaminoglycan chains. The response to this binding is flavored by the identity of the core protein that bears the HS chains. Each of the syndecan core proteins has a short cytoplasmic domain that binds cytosolic regulatory factors. The syndecans also contain highly conserved transmembrane domain and extracellular domains for which important activities are slowly emerging. These protein domains, which will be the focus of this review, localize the syndecan to sites at the cell surface during development where they collaborate with other receptors to regulate signaling and cytoskeletal organization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Syndecan-2.

The members of the Syndecan family of heparan sulfate proteoglycans play diverse roles in cell adhesion and cell communication by serving as co-receptors for both cell-signaling and extracellular matrix molecules. Syndecan-2 has been implicated in the formation of specialized membrane domains and functions as a direct link between the extracellular environment and the organization of the cortical cytoplasm. Recent studies have shown that syndecan-2 is required for angiogenesis, possibly by serving as a co-receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor, and cell-to-cell signaling during development of left-right asymmetry. This unique combination of activities suggests that syndecan-2 can function as a potential drug target for the development of multi-functional, anti-cancer therapeutics.

Animals↗

Syndecan-2 expression enhances adhesion and proliferation of stably transfected Swiss 3T3 cells.

Syndecans (heparan sulfate proteoglycans) participate in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion and are co- and low-affinity receptors for growth factors and enzymes, respectively. We examined the influence of stable syndecan-2 expression in Swiss 3T3 cells on cell-adhesion and proliferation. Higher syndecan-2 expression changed cell morphology and increased spreading and adhesion in these cells and proliferation induced by FCS and FGF-2. This emphasizes the role of syndecan-2 in the integration of signals from soluble and insoluble factors.

Animals↗

Asymmetric expression of Syndecan-2 in early chick embryogenesis.

Chicken Syndecan-2 (cSyndecan-2) is the homologue of Xenopus Syndecan-2, a member of the heparan sulfate proteoglycan family with an important role in left-right patterning in frog embryos. A relationship to LR asymmetry in other species has not been reported. We show that cSyndecan-2 is expressed throughout the primitive streak between st. 1 and 3 in the chick embryo, and is restricted to the rostral and caudal tips of the primitive streak at st. 4. It displays distinct left-right asymmetry, being expressed in the right side of Hensen's node at st. 5. The asymmetric expression of cSyndecan-2 is maintained around the node between st. 5 and 7. At early somite stages, somites and neural folds express cSyndecan-2. The somite expression disappears by st. 11, but strong expression in the neural tube continues. Our data reveal a new asymmetric transcript in the chick embryo and indicate that in contrast to protein-level asymmetries, which underlie syndecan-2 function in Xenopus, chick syndecan-2 exhibits asymmetry at the mRNA level.

Animals↗

Identification of a novel Ezrin-binding site in syndecan-2 cytoplasmic domain.

ERM (Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin) proteins are crosslinkers between plasma membrane proteins and the actin cytoskeleton, thereby involved in the formation of cell adhesion sites. Earlier work showed that Ezrin links syndecan-2 to the actin cytoskeleton. Here we provide evidence that the Ezrin N-terminal domain binds to the syndecan-2 cytoplasmic domain with an estimated K(D) of 0.71 microM and without the requirement of other proteins. We also studied the regions in the syndecan-2 cytoplasmic domain implicated in the binding to Ezrin. By truncating the syndecan-2 cytoplasmic domain and by oligopeptide competition assays we show that the Ezrin-binding sequence is not located in the positively charged juxtamembrane region (RMRKK), but in the neighboring sequence DEGSYD. We therefore conclude that the consensus sequence for Ezrin binding is unique among membrane proteins, suggesting a distinct regulation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ectodermal syndecan-2 mediates left-right axis formation in migrating mesoderm as a cell-nonautonomous Vg1 cofactor.

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans expressed on the Xenopus animal cap ectoderm have been implicated in transmitting left-right information to heart and gut primordia. We report here that syndecan-2 functions in the ectoderm to mediate cardiac and visceral situs, upstream of known asymmetrically expressed genes but independently of its ability to mediate fibronectin fibrillogenesis. Left-right development is dependent on a distinct subset of glycosaminoglycan attachment sites on syndecan-2. A novel in vivo approach with enterokinase demonstrates that syndecan-2 functions in left-right patterning during early gastrulation. We describe a cell-nonautonomous role for ectodermal syndecan-2 in transmitting left-right information to migrating mesoderm. The results further suggest that this function may be related to the transduction of Vg1-related signals.

Activin Receptors, Type I↗

Syndecan binding sites in the laminin alpha1 chain G domain.

The laminin alpha1 chain G domain has multiple biological activities. Previously, we identified cell binding sequences in the laminin alpha1 chain G domain by screening 113 synthetic peptide-polystyrene beads for cell attachment activity. Here, we have used a recombinant protein of the laminin alpha1 G domain (rec-alpha1G) and a large set of synthetic peptides to further identify and characterize heparin, cell, and syndecan-4 binding sites in the laminin alpha1 chain G domain. The rec-alpha1G protein promoted both cell attachment and heparin binding (K(D) = 19 nM). Cell attachment to the rec-alpha1G protein was inhibited 60% by heparin and 30% by EDTA. The heparin binding sites were identified by competing heparin binding to the rec-alpha1G protein with 110 synthetic peptides in solution. Only two peptides, AG73 (IC(50) = 147 microM) and AG75 (IC(50) = 206 microM), inhibited heparin binding to rec-alpha1G. When the peptides were compared in a solid-phase heparin binding assay, AG73 showed more heparin binding than AG75. AG73 also inhibited fibroblast attachment to the rec-alpha1G protein, but AG75 did not. Cell attachment to the peptides was studied using peptide-coated plates and peptide-conjugated sepharose beads. AG73 promoted cell attachment in both assays, but AG75 only showed cell attachment activity in the bead assay. Additionally, AG73, but not AG75, inhibited branching morphogenesis of mouse submandibular glands in organ culture. Furthermore, the rec-alpha1G protein bound syndecan-4, and both AG73 and AG75 inhibited this binding. These results suggest that the AG73 and AG75 sites are important for heparin and syndecan-4 binding in the laminin alpha1 chain G domain. These sites may play a critical role in the diverse biological activities involving heparin and syndecan-4 binding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Syndecan-4: dispensable or indispensable?

Studies examining the role of the cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan syndecan-4 have yielded a plethora of information regarding its role in both cell-matrix and growth-factor mediated signaling events. Many of the initial conclusions drawn from such research placed syndecan-4 in a keystone position within various signaling pathways though the generation of syndecan-4 null mice have surprised many in the field by indicating otherwise. These contradictory results place researchers in the frustrating and yet exhilarating position of still asking the question, "What role does syndecan-4 play in life?"

Animals↗

New insights into syndecan-2 expression and tumourigenic activity in colon carcinoma cells.

Adhesion receptors play crucial roles in the neoplastic transformation of normal cells through induction of cancer-specific cellular behaviour and morphology. This implies that cancer cells likely express and utilize a distinct set of adhesion receptors during carcinogenesis. Colon cancer is an excellent model system for the study of this process, since both molecular genetic and morphological changes have been well established for this disease. We recently reported increased expression of the cell surface adhesion receptor, syndecan-2, in several colon carcinoma cell lines. Indeed, increased syndecan-2 expression was necessary for tumourigenic activity, suggesting that syndecan-2 might have value as both a new diagnostic marker and a possible therapeutic target. Here, we review recent advances in understanding the role of syndecan-2 in the carcinogenesis of colon cells, and discuss a leading role for this molecule in a new era for colon cancer treatment.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Syndecan-4 deficiency increases susceptibility to kappa-carrageenan-induced renal damage.

SUMMARY: The expression and roles of syndecan-4 in the kidney were investigated. Syndecan-4 expression was detected in the ureteric bud invaginating into the metanephric mesenchyme at 11.5 gestational days, and remained in the collecting ducts, distal renal tubules, glomeruli, and some capillaries between renal tubules until the mature kidney stage. However, organogenesis of the kidney was normal in syndecan-4-deficient (Synd4[-/-]) mice. Although most renal functions of Synd4(-/-) mice were not impaired, a significant increase in susceptibility to kappa-carrageenan-induced renal damage was observed in these mice. kappa-Carrageenan was heavily deposited in the collecting ducts of Synd4(-/-) mice and caused obstructive nephropathy, leading to death of 7 of 24 Synd4(-/-) mice within 7 days after administration, whereas none of 24 Synd4(+/+) mice died. After administration of kappa-carrageenan, blood urea nitrogen of Synd4(-/-) mice was significantly higher than that of Synd4(+/+) mice. Thus, syndecan-4 may function to prevent kappa-carrageenan deposition in the collecting ducts.

Animals↗

Tenascin-C blocks cell-cycle progression of anchorage-dependent fibroblasts on fibronectin through inhibition of syndecan-4.

Tenascin-C is an adhesion-modulatory extracellular matrix protein that is predominantly expressed during embryonic development, wound healing and in tumor stroma. Here we report that anchorage-dependent human, rat and mouse fibroblasts adhere poorly and fail to proliferate on pure tenascin-C. This was due to a significant reduction of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdk2) activity, resulting from elevated expression and association of the cdk inhibitors (CKIs) p21Cip1 and p27Kip1. To analyse the effect of tenascin-C on fibronectin-mediated adhesion, cells were plated on a mixed fibronectin/tenascin-C substratum. Compared to fibronectin alone, cell spreading and adhesion signaling were compromised, as determined by delayed phosphorylation kinetics of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Despite the presence of growth factors, these cells remained arrested in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. In contrast to cells plated on pure tenascin-C, cdk2 activity appeared to be inhibited independently of CKIs. Interestingly, overexpression of the transmembrane proteoglycan syndecan-4 restored cell spreading, adhesion signaling and DNA replication on the fibronectin/tenascin-C substratum. A similar rescue was observed using a recombinant peptide that spans the syndecan-4-binding site in fibronectin. This indicates that tenascin-C causes cell cycle arrest and cdk2 inactivation by interfering with fibronectin-syndecan-4 interactions. We therefore propose that syndecan-4 signaling plays a central role in the control of cellular proliferation of anchorage-dependent fibroblasts.

3T3 Cells↗

Interleukin-8 binds to syndecan-2 on human endothelial cells.

Application of reverse transcription-PCR to total RNA prepared from TNF-alpha (tumour necrosis factor-alpha)-stimulated HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelial cells) revealed that the syndecan-2 mRNA was up-regulated by this inflammatory stimulus. By immunoprecipitation using an anti-syndecan-2 antibody on TNF-alpha-stimulated HUVEC lysates, inflammation-induced interleukin-8 was found to be an interaction partner of this HS (heparan sulphate) proteoglycan, but not of any other syndecan on these cells. The glycosylated [Syn2(ect)(+HS)] and non-glycosylated [Syn2(ect)(-HS)] forms of Syn2(ect) (the syndecan-2 ectodomain) were purified from a stably transfected human cell line and from a bacterial expression system respectively. By CD spectroscopy, Syn2(ect) was found to adopt an all-beta secondary structure. The dissociation constant of Syn2(ect)(+HS) with respect to interleukin-8 binding was determined by isothermal fluorescence titrations to be 23 nM. Despite its lack of HS chains, Syn2(ect)(-HS) exhibited significant binding to the chemokine, with a K (d) of >1 microM. Thus, in addition to glycosaminoglycan binding, protein-protein contacts might also contribute to the chemokine-proteoglycan interaction.

Binding Sites↗

Syndecan-4 proteoglycan regulates the distribution and activity of protein kinase C.

During cell-matrix adhesion, both tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases are activated. Integrin ligation correlates with tyrosine phosphorylation, whereas the later stages of spreading and focal adhesion and stress fiber formation in primary fibroblasts requires interactions of cell surface proteoglycan with heparin-binding moieties. This correlates with protein kinase C (PKC) activation, and PKCalpha can become localized to focal adhesions in normal, but not transformed, cells. PKC activation has been thought to be downstream of initial receptor-ligand interactions. We now show, however, that syndecan-4 transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan and PKC co-immunoprecipitate and co-patch in vivo. The core protein of syndecan-4 can directly bind the catalytic domain of PKCalpha and potentiate its activation by phospholipid mediators. It can also directly activate PKCalpha in the absence of other mediators. This activity resides in the sequence LGKKPIYKK in the center of the short cytoplasmic domain, and other syndecans lack this sequence and PKC regulatory properties. Syndecan-4 is a focal adhesion component, and this interaction may both localize PKC and amplify its activity at sites of forming adhesions. This represents the first report of direct transmembrane signaling through cell surface proteoglycans.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Laminin alpha1 chain LG4 module promotes cell attachment through syndecans and cell spreading through integrin alpha2beta1.

The laminin alpha1 chain is a subunit of laminin-1, a heterotrimeric basement membrane protein. The LG4-5 module at the C terminus of laminin alpha1 contains major binding sites for heparin, sulfatide, and alpha-dystroglycan and plays a critical role in early embryonic development. We previously identified active synthetic peptides AG73 and EF-1 from the sequence of laminin alpha1 LG4 for binding to syndecan and integrin alpha2beta1, respectively. However, their activity and functional relationship within the laminin-1 and LG4 as well as the functional relation between these sites and alpha-dystroglycan binding sites in LG4 are not clear. To address these questions, we created mutant recombinant LG4 proteins containing alanine substitutions within the AG73 (M1), EF-1 (M2, M3), and alpha-dystroglycan binding sites (M4, M5) and analyzed their activities. We found that recombinant proteins rec-M1 and rec-M5, containing mutations within M1 and M5, respectively, did not bind heparin or lymphoid cell lines expressing syndecans. These results suggest that LG4 binds to heparin and syndecans through M1 and M5. Rec-M1 and rec-M5 reduced fibroblast attachment, whereas mutant rec-M2 and rec-M3 retained cell attachment activity but did not promote cell spreading. Fibroblast attachment to rec-LG4 was inhibited by heparin but not by integrin antibodies. Spreading of fibroblasts on rec-LG4 was inhibited by anti-integrin alpha2 and beta1 but not by anti-integrin alpha1 and alpha6. These results suggest that the M1 and M5 sites are necessary for cell attachment on LG4 through syndecans and that the EF-1 site is for cell spreading activity through integrin alpha2beta1. In contrast, laminin-1-mediated fibroblast attachment and spreading were not inhibited by heparin or anti-integrin alpha2. Our findings indicate that LG4 has a unique function distinct from laminin-1 and suggest that laminin alpha1 LG4-5 may also be produced by a proteolytic cleavage in certain tissues where it exerts its activity.

Alanine↗

Perlecan and syndecan-4 in uterine tissues during the early pregnancy in mice.

PROBLEM: During early pregnancy in mice, there is recruitment of specific immune cells, remodeling of the endometrium, cell differentiation and synthesis of new molecules. METHOD OF STUDY: Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the distribution of perlecan and syndecan-4 in the uteri before and after embryo implantation. RESULTS: During pre-implantation, perlecan was identified in basement membranes and extracellular spaces of the endometrial stroma. In contrast, expression of syndecan-4 was quite weak. In the peri-implantation period, perlecan remained in the basement membranes, and it was no longer observed in the stroma and it was identified in the embryonic cells. On day 4 of pregnancy, syndecan-4 increased in the fibroblasts of the subepithelial stroma. After implantation, syndecan-4 was pronounced in pre-decidual and mature decidual cells. CONCLUSIONS: The coordinate balance between the pre- and post-implantation periods suggests a role of these two molecules in the adaptive modification of the uterine microenvironment to receive and implant the embryo.

Animals↗

Syndecans in tumor cell adhesion and signaling.

Anchorage of cells to "heparin"--binding domains that are prevalent in extracellular matrix (ECM) components is thought to occur primarily through the syndecans, a four-member family of transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans that communicate environmental cues from the ECM to the cytoskeleton and the signaling apparatus of the cell. Known activities of the syndecans trace to their highly conserved cytoplasmic domains and to their heparan sulfate chains, which can serve to regulate the signaling of growth factors and morphogens. However, several emerging studies point to critical roles for the syndecans' extracellular protein domains in tumor cell behavior to include cell adhesion and invasion. Although the mechanisms of these activities remain largely unknown, one possibility involves "co-receptor" interactions with integrins that may regulate integrin function and the cell adhesion-signaling phenotype. Thus, alterations in syndecan expression, leading to either overexpression or loss of expression, both of which take place in tumor cells, may have dramatic effects on tumor cell invasion.

Animals↗