| abstract |
The invention relates to the identification of a protein that binds to the cytoplasmic domain of the syndecan. This protein, now called syntenin, contains a tandem repeat of PDZ-domains that reacts with the FYA C-terminal amino acid sequence of the syndecans (Trends Biochem.Sci., 20, p. 350, 1995: Origin of PDZ {DHR, GLGF}, by M.B. Kennedy). Endogenous syntenin appears to be localized to the cytoskeleton. GFP-syntenin fusion-proteins decorate the plasma membrane and intracellular vesicles, where they co-localize and -segregate with syndecan cytoplasmic domains. Syntenin, therefore, is an unexpected candidate for connecting the cytoskeleton to heparan sulfate-assisted signal transduction pathways. The syndecan cytoplasmatic link (sycl) protein or syndecan interacting protein is referred to by the name "syntenin", meaning "putting tension on the syndecans". |