Complementary expression of HSPG 6-O-endosulfatases and 6-O-sulfotransferase in the hindbrain of Xenopus laevis

TY - JOUR

T1 - Complementary expression of HSPG 6-O-endosulfatases and 6-O-sulfotransferase in the hindbrain of Xenopus laevis

AU - Winterbottom, Emily F.

AU - Pownall, Mary E.

PY - 2009/3

Y1 - 2009/3

N2 - Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are abundant cell surface molecules, consisting of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains bound to a protein core. There is high diversity in the sulfation pattern within each GAG chain, creating specific binding sites for many proteins including cell signalling factors, whose activities and distribution are modified by their association with HSPGs (Danesin et al., 2006; Freeman et al., 2008). Here, we describe the distinct expression of three enzymes which modify the 6-O-sulfation state of HSPGs: two 6-O-endosulfatases (Sulf1 and Sulf2), and a 6-O-sulfotransferase (60ST-1). We use in situ hybridisation to determine the spatial distribution of transcripts during tailbud stages of Xenopus laevis development, with a particular focus on neural regions where the 6-O-sulfatases are expressed ventrally and the 6-O-sulfotransferase is restricted dorsally. The complementary expression of these enzymes in the hindbrain and neural tube suggest a role for specific HSPG structure in dorsoventral patterning, possibly through modifying the activity or distribution of signalling molecules such as BMP, Sonic hedgehog, Wnt and/or FGF. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

AB - Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are abundant cell surface molecules, consisting of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains bound to a protein core. There is high diversity in the sulfation pattern within each GAG chain, creating specific binding sites for many proteins including cell signalling factors, whose activities and distribution are modified by their association with HSPGs (Danesin et al., 2006; Freeman et al., 2008). Here, we describe the distinct expression of three enzymes which modify the 6-O-sulfation state of HSPGs: two 6-O-endosulfatases (Sulf1 and Sulf2), and a 6-O-sulfotransferase (60ST-1). We use in situ hybridisation to determine the spatial distribution of transcripts during tailbud stages of Xenopus laevis development, with a particular focus on neural regions where the 6-O-sulfatases are expressed ventrally and the 6-O-sulfotransferase is restricted dorsally. The complementary expression of these enzymes in the hindbrain and neural tube suggest a role for specific HSPG structure in dorsoventral patterning, possibly through modifying the activity or distribution of signalling molecules such as BMP, Sonic hedgehog, Wnt and/or FGF. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

KW - Heparan sulfate

KW - Sulf1

KW - Sulf2

KW - Neural tube patterning

KW - HEPARAN-SULFATE PROTEOGLYCANS

KW - CONTROLS CELLULAR-RESPONSES

KW - SPINAL-CORD

KW - PROTEIN

KW - QSULF1

KW - EMBRYOS

KW - MORPHOGEN

KW - MIDBRAIN

KW - BINDING

KW - SURFACE

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=58549094901&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.gep.2008.11.003

DO - 10.1016/j.gep.2008.11.003

M3 - Article

SN - 1567-133X

VL - 9

SP - 166

EP - 172

JO - Gene expression patterns

JF - Gene expression patterns

IS - 3

ER -