Differential expression and distribution of syndecan-1 and -2 in the developing periodontium of the rat

Cell surface proteoglycans are known to interact with adhesion molecules, growth factors and a variety of other effector molecules implying their central role in various aspects of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. To investigate the expression and distribution of the cell surface proteoglycans syndecan-1 and -2, the developing periodontal tissues of 3-, 5-, and 8-wk-old male Lewis rats, were stained by specific monoclonal antibodies against syndecan-1, or -2 core protein, using immunohistochemical techniques. The results demonstrated that syndecan-1 and -2 were expressed and distributed differentially in several compartments of the developing periodontal tissues at different ages. Expression of syndecan-1 was noted in areas of intense cellular activity such as the developing apical root tip of the tooth and at the crestal bone where new bone formation was taking place. In contrast, syndecan-2 expression and distribution did not exhibit the same patterns as syndecan-1. Syndecan-2 showed significant differences of distribution in hard tissues undergoing maturation at different ages. These findings indicate that syndecan-1 and -2 may have distinctive functions during morphogenesis, organogenesis and differentiation of the periodontium

Heparan Sulfate Acts as a Bone Morphogenetic Protein Coreceptor by Facilitating Ligand-induced Receptor Hetero-oligomerization

Cell surface heparan sulfate (HS) potentiates the activities of various growth factors. Here we show that HS stimulates bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) activity by enhancing recruitment of type II receptor subunits to BMP-type I receptor complexes, suggesting a view of HS as a catalyst of the formation of signaling complexes