Signaling by Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans

National Heart, Lung, And Blood Institute

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

We demonstrated the the Lipid Phosphate Phosphatase-Related Proteins (PLPPRs) can modulate neuronal adhesion and the cytoskeleton through interactions with RhoGDI that modulated both RhoA and Rac1 GTPases. Papers describing these results have been published. PLPPRs, like many transmembrane receptors, are cleaved at an extracellular site near the membrane. We have now demonstrated that this cleavage is through a furin-like protease. The cleavage releases a fragment of the original receptor that associates with other transmembrane molecules. In addition, we showed that this cleavage can be regulated. Further experiments will determine the exact role of cleavage in modulating signal transduction.