Kiani Chris, Chen Liwen, Wu Yao Jiong, Yee Albert J, Yang Burton B
Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada.
Cell Res. 2002 Mar;12(1):19-32. doi: 10.1038/sj.cr.7290106.
Aggrecan is the major proteoglycan in the articular cartilage. This molecule is important in the proper functioning of articular cartilage because it provides a hydrated gel structure (via its interaction with hyaluronan and link protein) that endows the cartilage with load-bearing properties. It is also crucial in chondroskeletal morphogenesis during development. Aggrecan is a multimodular molecule expressed by chondrocytes. Its core protein is composed of three globular domains (G1, G2, and G3) and a large extended region (CS) between G2 and G3 for glycosaminoglycan chain attachment. G1 comprises the amino terminus of the core protein. This domain has the same structural motif as link protein. Functionally, the G1 domain interacts with hyaluronan acid and link protein, forming stable ternary complexes in the extracellular matrix. G2 is homologous to the tandem repeats of G1 and of link protein and is involved in product processing. G3 makes up the carboxyl terminus of the core protein. It enhances glycosaminoglycan modification and product secretion. Aggrecan plays an important role in mediating chondrocyte-chondrocyte and chondrocyte-matrix interactions through its ability to bind hyaluronan.
聚集蛋白聚糖是关节软骨中的主要蛋白聚糖。该分子在关节软骨的正常功能中很重要，因为它提供了一种水合凝胶结构（通过其与透明质酸和连接蛋白的相互作用），赋予软骨承重特性。它在发育过程中的软骨骨骼形态发生中也至关重要。聚集蛋白聚糖是一种由软骨细胞表达的多模块分子。其核心蛋白由三个球状结构域（G1、G2和G3）以及G2和G3之间用于连接糖胺聚糖链的一个大的延伸区域（CS）组成。G1构成核心蛋白的氨基末端。该结构域与连接蛋白具有相同的结构基序。在功能上，G1结构域与透明质酸和连接蛋白相互作用，在细胞外基质中形成稳定的三元复合物。G2与G1和连接蛋白的串联重复序列同源，并参与产物加工。G3构成核心蛋白的羧基末端。它增强糖胺聚糖修饰和产物分泌。聚集蛋白聚糖通过其结合透明质酸的能力，在介导软骨细胞 - 软骨细胞和软骨细胞 - 基质相互作用中发挥重要作用。
