Molecular mechanisms involved in the anti-tumor effects of lumican and glycosaminoglycans
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Καραμάνου, Κωνσταντίνα
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Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic complex of macromolecules that regulate cell behavior, gene expression and specific cellular characteristics. Proteoglycans are key molecules of the ECM. They are involved in pathophysiological processes, such as cancer, and are therefore called multifunctional factors of extracellular matrix. Expression of proteoglycans varies greatly in the development of cancer and affects functions such as growth, adhesion, cellular infiltration and metastasis.
SLRPs, small leucine-rich proteoglycans are proteoglycans expressed in great abundance within the ECM. They consist of the protein core and negatively charged glycosaminoglycan chains. Because of their structure, they can interact with various ECM agents, including cytokines, growth factors and cell surface proteins. These interactions give SLRPs the ability to regulate cellular migration, autophagy, angiogenesis and metastases. Lumican is a Class II SLRP. Its structure includes amino acids such as tyrosine sulphates and the protein core is substituted by keratan sulphate (cornea, cartilage) or polylactosamine (epidermis) glycosaminoglycans chains.
The aim of this dissertation was to evaluate the effects of luicicin on morphology, functional properties, and intracellular signaling of breast cancer cells in relation to the expression of estrogen receptors, but also of melanoma at an in vivo and in vitro level.
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Lumican, Proteoglycans, Cancer, Extracellular matrix, Metastasis, Melanoma, Signalling pathways