Issue 6, 2012

Proteoglycan sequence

Abstract

Proteoglycans (PGs) are among the most structurally complex biomacromolecules in nature. They are present in all animal cells and frequently exert their critical biological functions through interactions with protein ligands and receptors. PGs are comprised of a core protein to which one or multiple, heterogeneous, and polydisperse glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains are attached. Proteins, including the protein core of PGs, are now routinely sequenced either directly using proteomics or indirectly using molecular biology through their encoding DNA. The sequencing of the GAG component of PGs poses a considerably more difficult challenge because of the relatively underdeveloped state of glycomics and because the control of their biosynthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi is poorly understood and not believed to be template driven. Recently, the GAG chain of the simplest PG has been suggested to have a defined sequence based on its top-down Fourier transform mass spectral sequencing. This review examines the advances made over the past decade in the sequencing of GAG chains and the challenges the field face in sequencing complex PGs having critical biological functions in developmental biology and pathogenesis.

Graphical abstract: Proteoglycan sequence

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
18 Jan 2012
Accepted
27 Mar 2012
First published
28 Mar 2012

Mol. BioSyst., 2012,8, 1613-1625

Proteoglycan sequence

L. Li, M. Ly and R. J. Linhardt, Mol. BioSyst., 2012, 8, 1613 DOI: 10.1039/C2MB25021G

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