Syndecan-4
Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Syndecan-4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SDC4 gene.[5][6] Syndecan-4 is one of the four vertebrate syndecans and has a molecular weight of ~20 kDa. Syndecans are the best-characterized plasma membrane proteoglycans. Their intracellular domain of membrane-spanning core protein interacts with actin cytoskeleton and signaling molecules in the cell cortex. Syndecans are normally found on the cell surface of fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Syndecans interact with fibronectin on the cell surface, cytoskeletal and signaling proteins inside the cell to modulate the function of integrin in cell-matrix adhesion. Also, syndecans bind to FGFs and bring them to the FGF receptor on the same cell. As a co-receptor or regulator, mutated certain proteoglycans could cause severe developmental defects, like disordered distribution or inactivation of signaling molecules.
Syndecans have similar structural features:
- Attach to heparan sulfate chains – interacting factors (e.g. Matrix molecules, growth factors, and enzymes)
- Chondroitin sulfate chain
- Transmembrane domain – self-association
- C1 domain – actin-association cytoskeleton
- Variable domain – syndecan-specific
- C2 domain – attach to PDZ proteins
Syndecans normally form homodimers or multimers. Their biological function includes cell growth regulation, differentiation, and adhesion. Syndecan-4 has more widespread distribution than other syndecans and it is the only syndecan that has been found consistently in focal adhesions.[7]