# PROTEOGLYCANS OF THE PLASMA MEMBRANE

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 1993 · $162,606

## Abstract

The ultimate goal of this work is to understand how tissue
interactions control differentiated cell behavior.  These
interactions are mediated by cell surface receptors.  On epithelial
cells, these receptors interact with the; extracellular matrix
(ECM), as well as with adjacent cell surfaces, to provide anchorage
and establish the high degree of polarity that characterizes
differentiated epithelial cells.  The ligands for these receptors
are topically large and multivalent, forming an insoluble
scaffolding that immobilizes the receptor and is likely to convey
information to the cell.  The information may be interpreted via
cytoskeletal organization leading to specific cell shape.  In
addition failure to anchor the receptor may allow its loss from
the surface by internalization, conveying a signal to the interior
of the cell.

A cell surface proteoglycan (syndecan) of epithelial cells binds
a variety of matrix ligands, is anchored to the cytoskeleton and
exhibits variable life-times at the cell surface.  In addition, its
ability to recognize its ligands may be modified by alterations in
its structure during synthesis.  This proposal is to study the
mechanisms that promote the anchorage of syndecan to the ECM and
cytoskeleton, understand why its structure changes with cell
behavior and identify the reason for its sorting when removed from
the cell surface.

An understanding of the molecules and mechanisms that allow
external interactions of cells to be recognized, translated, and
transmitted across the plasma membrane to the cytoplasm is required
to develop rational means of preventing the abnormalities in organ
morphogenesis and cell behavior that lead to
diseases and birth defects.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2198339
- **Project number:** 5R01HD021881-09
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **SAM.gov UEI:** LCLSJAGTNZQ7
- **Principal Investigator:** ALAN C RAPRAEGER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1993
- **Award amount:** $162,606
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-09-01 → 1994-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2198339

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2198339, PROTEOGLYCANS OF THE PLASMA MEMBRANE (5R01HD021881-09). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2198339. Licensed CC0.

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