Keratan sulfate

About: Keratan sulfate is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1253 publications have been published within this topic receiving 57984 citations. The topic is also known as: keratan sulfate & KS.

Keratan sulfate (KS)‐proteoglycans and neuronal regulation in health and disease: the importance of KS‐glycodynamics and interactive capability with neuroregulatory ligands

Abstract: Compared to the other classes of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), that is, chondroitin/dermatan sulfate, heparin/heparan sulfate and hyaluronan, keratan sulfate (KS), have the least known of its interactive properties. In the human body, the cornea and the brain are the two most abundant tissue sources of KS. Embryonic KS is synthesized as a linear poly-N-acetyllactosamine chain of d-galactose-GlcNAc repeat disaccharides which become progressively sulfated with development, sulfation of GlcNAc is more predominant than galactose. KS contains multi-sulfated high-charge density, monosulfated and non-sulfated poly-N-acetyllactosamine regions and thus is a heterogeneous molecule in terms of chain length and charge distribution. A recent proteomics study on corneal KS demonstrated its interactivity with members of the Slit-Robbo and Ephrin-Ephrin receptor families and proteins which regulate Rho GTPase signaling and actin polymerization/depolymerization in neural development and differentiation. KS decorates a number of peripheral nervous system/CNS proteoglycan (PG) core proteins. The astrocyte KS-PG abakan defines functional margins of the brain and is up-regulated following trauma. The chondroitin sulfate/KS PG aggrecan forms perineuronal nets which are dynamic neuroprotective structures with anti-oxidant properties and roles in neural differentiation, development and synaptic plasticity. Brain phosphacan a chondroitin sulfate, KS, HNK-1 PG have roles in neural development and repair. The intracellular microtubule and synaptic vesicle KS-PGs MAP1B and SV2 have roles in metabolite transport, storage, and export of neurotransmitters and cytoskeletal assembly. MAP1B has binding sites for tubulin and actin through which it promotes cytoskeletal development in growth cones and is highly expressed during neurite extension. The interactive capability of KS with neuroregulatory ligands indicate varied roles for KS-PGs in development and regenerative neural processes.

Phage display-derived human antibodies against specific glycosaminoglycan epitopes.

Abstract: Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are long unbranched polysaccharides, most of which are linked to a core protein to form proteoglycans. Depending on the nature of their backbone, one can discern galactosaminoglycans (chondroitin sulfate [CS] and dermatan sulfate [DS]) and glucosaminoglycans (heparan sulfate [HS], heparin, hyaluronic acid, and keratan sulfate). Modification of the backbone by sulfation, deacetylation, and epimerization results in unique sequences within GAG molecules, which are instrumental in the binding of a large number of proteins. Investigating the exact roles of GAGs has long been hampered by the lack of appropriate tools, but we have successfully implemented phage display technology to generate a large panel of antibodies against CS, DS, HS, and heparin epitopes. These antibodies provide unique and highly versatile tools to study the topography, structure, and function of specific GAG domains. In this chapter, we describe the selection, characterization, and application of antibodies against specific GAG epitopes.

Corneal cell proteins and ocular surface pathology.

Abstract: The cornea is a transparent and avascular tissue that functions as the major refractive structure for the eye. A wide variety of growth factors, chemokines, cytokines and their receptors are synthesized by corneal epithelial and stromal cells, and are found in tears. These molecules function in corneal wound healing and in inflammatory responses. Proteoglycans and glycoproteins are essential for normal corneal function, both at the air-epithelial interface and within the extracellular matrix. The ocular MUC mucins may play roles in forming the mucus layer of the tear film, in regulating tear film spread, and in inhibiting the adhesion of pathogens to the ocular surface. Lumican, keratocan and mimecan are the major keratan sulfate proteoglycans of the corneal stroma. They are essential, along with other proteoglycans and interfibrillar proteins, including collagens type VI and XII, for the maintenance of corneal transparency. Corneal epithelial cells interact with a specialized extracellular matrix structu...