Proteoglycans from marine sponges and their biomedical applications

Abstract

Marine sponges are the simplest and earliest multicellular organisms, proteoglycans originating from the extracellular milieu fastened to the cell membrane. The extracellular space in the tissues of multicellular creatures is blocked through a gel-like substance, called the extracellular matrix, or the ground substance, which grasps the cells collectively and affords a permeable pathway for the dissemination of nutrients and oxygen to individual cells. The extracellular matrix is compiled of an intermingling network of heteropolysaccharides and fibrous connective tissue proteins such as collagen, elastin, fibronectin, and laminin. The glycosaminoglycans (GAG) are a family of linear polymeric heteropolysaccharides composed of duplicating disaccharide units. To investigate the isolation of proteoglycans and their structure has been intended, by means of chromatography, to mimic the function of proteoglycans in the multicellular adhesion of the marine sponge. The interaction of proteoglycans with GAG is not based on electrostatic communication. In addition, the interaction of proteins with GAG may have potential significant implications for biomedical roles including anticoagulant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and so on, and as an alternative therapeutic agent in the field of biochemical/pharmacological/microbial/molecular biology.