Heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are cell surface molecules that act as co- . receptors for a number of important signalling ligands such as the fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). The Sulf-l enzyme was recently identified by Dhoot et aL, (2001) as a modifier of HSPG structure. Specifically, Sulf-l removes sulphate groups from the 6-0 position of the glycosaminoglycan chains which decorate the HSPG core. In doing so, Sulf-l affects the ability of HSPGs to bind to both signalling ligands and receptors. Previous studies have shown that Sulf-l can inhibit F'GF signalling (Wang et aI., 2004). This thesis advances previous work by providing a complete expression analysis of the Su/f-l gene in the early Xenopus tropicalis embryo. It shows that XtSulf-l acts as an endogenous FGF inhibitor, and shows for the first time that it also acts as an endogenous BMP inhibitor. This work reveals that XtSu/f-1 .is an essential regulator of cell signalling events in the early Xenopus embryo.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:485020 |
| Date | January 2007 |
| Creators | Freeman, Stephen D. |
| Publisher | University of York |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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