Heparin Binding Domains in Vascular Biology
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Authors
Munoz, Eva M.
Linhardt, Robert J.
Issue Date
2004-09-01
Type
Article
Language
ENG
Keywords
Biology , Chemistry and chemical biology , Chemical and biological engineering , Biomedical engineering
Alternative Title
Abstract
Heparin is a major anticoagulant with activity mediated primarily through its interaction with antithrombin (AT). Heparan sulfate (HS), structurally related to heparin, binds a wide range of proteins of different functionality, taking part in various physiological and pathological processes. The heparin-AT complex, the most well understood facet of anticoagulation, serves as a prototypical example of the important role of heparin/HS in vascular biology. Extensive studies have identified common structural features in heparin/HS-binding sites of proteins. These include the elucidation of consensus sequences in proteins, patterns of clusters of basic and nonbasic residues, and common spatial arrangements of basic amino acids in the heparin-binding sites. Although these studies have provided valuable information, heparin/HS-binding proteins differ widely in structure. The prediction of heparin/HS-binding proteins from sequence information is not currently possible, and elucidation of protein-binding sites requires the individual study of each glycosaminoglycan-protein complex. Thus, x-ray crystallography and site-directed mutagenesis experiments are among the most powerful tools, providing accurate structural information, facilitating the characterization of heparin-protein complexes. Heparin and structurally related heparan sulfate bind a large number of proteins, taking part in a wide range of biological processes, particularly ones involved in vascular biology. Heparin-binding domains share certain common structural features, but there is no absolute dependency on specific sequences or protein folds.
Description
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 24, 1549-1557
Note : if this item contains full text it may be a preprint, author manuscript, or a Gold OA copy that permits redistribution with a license such as CC BY. The final version is available through the publisher’s platform.
Note : if this item contains full text it may be a preprint, author manuscript, or a Gold OA copy that permits redistribution with a license such as CC BY. The final version is available through the publisher’s platform.
Full Citation
Heparin Binding Domains in Vascular Biology, E. M. Munoz, R. J. Linhardt, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 24, 1549-1557, 2004.
Publisher
American Heart Association AHA/ASA Journals
Terms of Use
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
10795642