N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase (heparan glucosaminyl) 1 (NDST1)

Abstract

Heparan sulfate (HS) is expressed on virtually all cells of vertebrate and invertebrate developing embryos and adult tissues as part of HS proteoglycans (HSPGs). The HSPGs perlecan, agrin, and collagen XVIII are found in basement membranes, while HSPGs belonging to the syndecan and glypican families are cell surface bound. Many growth factors, morphogens, chemokines, and cytokines bind to HS, and HSPGs are thought to act as coreceptors for these molecules. In addition, HSPGs play important roles in cell-matrix adhesion, lipoprotein metabolism, virus and parasite infection, and protease/protease inhibitor binding and activity regulation (Kjellén and Lindahl 1991). This makes regulated HS biosynthesis essential for unimpaired embryonic development as well as for adult homeostasis.