Characterization of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans in bovine renal AA-type amyloidosis.

Highly sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAG) or proteoglycans (PG), especially heparan sulfate (HS) and heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), are considered to be intimately associated with amyloid deposits in different types of amyloidosis. Based on this relationship an important role for HS has been suggested in amyloidogenesis. The present immunohistological and ultrastructural study shows that in bovine renal AA-amyloidosis, sulfated GAG/PG was not restricted to amyloid deposits proper and that areas without GAP/PG were also present within the amyloid. Both glomerular and papillary amyloid contained HS (PG), and the latter also contained chondroitin sulfate (CS) and dermatan sulfate (DS), suggesting a correlation between the location of the amyloid and the type of GAG/PG deposited. Amyloid P component (AP) had a distribution similar to that of HSPG, confirming their affinity-based relationship. The GAG types found ultrastructurally in amyloid fibril preparations of glomerular and papillary amyloid isolated from the same kidney, reflected the immunohistological findings. HS was shown to be the predominant GAG in all papillary amyloid fibril extracts. Taking into account the chemico-physical properties of HS, it cannot be excluded that this predominance is introduced by the purification procedure. These results suggest that the association of GAG/PG and amyloid is not necessarily mutually obligatory and that the proposed importance of GAG in amyloidogenesis is disputable.     

Regulation of ureteric bud branching morphogenesis by sulfated proteoglycans in the developing kidney

Glycosaminoglycans in the form of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPG) are required for normal kidney organogenesis. The specific roles of HSPGs and CSPGs on ureteric bud (UB) branching morphogenesis are unclear, and past reports have obtained differing results. Here we employ in vitro systems, including isolated UB culture, to clarify the roles of HSPGs and CSPGs on this process. Microarray analysis revealed that many proteoglycan core proteins change during kidney development (syndecan-1,2,4, glypican-1,2,3, versican, decorin, biglycan). Moreover, syndecan-1, syndecan-4, glypican-3, and versican are differentially expressed during isolated UB culture, while decorin is dynamically regulated in cultured isolated metanephric mesenchyme (MM). Biochemical analysis indicated that while both heparan sulfate (HS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) are present, CS accounts for approximately 75% of the glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in the embryonic kidney. Selective perturbation of HS in whole kidney rudiments and in the isolated UB resulted in a significant reduction in the number of UB branch tips, while CS perturbation has much less impressive effects on branching morphogenesis. Disruption of endogenous HS sulfation with chlorate resulted in diminished FGF2 binding and proliferation, which markedly altered kidney area but did not have a statistically significant effect on patterning of the ureteric tree. Furthermore, perturbation of GAGs did not have a detectable effect on FGFR2 expression or epithelial marker localization, suggesting the expression of these molecules is largely independent of HS function. Taken together, the data suggests that nonselective perturbation of HSPG function results in a general proliferation defect; selective perturbation of specific core proteins and/or GAG microstructure may result in branching pattern defects. Despite CS being the major GAG synthesized in the whole developing kidney, it appears to play a lesser role in UB branching; however, CS is likely to be integral to other developmental processes during nephrogenesis, possibly involving the MM. A model is presented of how, together with growth factors, heterogeneity of proteoglycan core proteins and glycosaminoglycan sulfation act as a switching mechanism to regulate different stages of the branching process. In this model, specific growth factor-HSPG combinations play key roles in the transitioning between stages and their maintenance.     

The sulfate moieties of glycosaminoglycans are critical for the enhancement of beta-amyloid protein fibril formation

Our previous studies have demonstrated that perlecan and perlecan-derived glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) not only bind beta-amyloid protein (Abeta) 1-40 and 1-42, but are also potent enhancers of Abeta fibril formation and stabilize amyloid fibrils once formed. However, it was not determined which moieties in perlecan heparan sulfate GAG chains may be responsible for the observed effects and whether other GAGs were also capable of a similar enhancement of Abeta fibril formation as observed with perlecan GAGs. In the present study, thioflavin T fluorometry (over a 1-week period) was used to extend our previous studies and to test the hypothesis that the sulfate moiety is critical for the enhancing effects of heparin/heparan sulfate GAGs on Abeta 1-40 fibrillogenesis. This hypothesis was confirmed when removal of all sulfates from heparin (i.e., completely desulfated N-acetylated heparin) led to a complete loss in the enhancement of Abeta fibrillogenesis as demonstrated in both thioflavin T fluorometry and Congo red staining studies. On the other hand, removal of O-sulfate from heparin (i.e., completely desulfated N-sulfated heparin), and to a lesser extent N-sulfate (i.e., N-desulfated N-acetylated heparin), resulted in only a partial loss of the enhancement of Abeta 1-40 fibril formation. These studies indicate that the sulfate moieties of GAGs are critical for enhancement of Abeta amyloid fibril formation. In addition, other sulfated molecules such as chondroitin-4-sulfate, dermatan sulfate, dextran sulfate, and pentosan polysulfate all significantly enhanced (greater than twofold by 3 days) Abeta amyloid fibril formation. These latter findings indicate that deposition and accumulation of other GAGs at sites of Abeta amyloid deposition in Alzheimer's disease brain may also participate in the enhancement of Abeta amyloidosis.     

Role of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in cell-cell signaling in Drosophila.

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are abundant molecules associated with the cell surface and extracellular matrix, and consist of a protein core to which heparan sulfate (HS) glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains are attached. Although these molecules have been the focus of intense biochemical studies in vitro, their biological functions in vivo were unclear until recently. We have undertaken an in vivo functional study of HSPGs in Drosophila. Our studies, as well as others, demonstrate the critical roles of HSPGs in several major signaling pathways, including ibroblast growth factor (FGF), Wnt, Hedgehog (Hh) and TGF-beta. Our results also suggest that specific HS GAG chain modifications, as well as specific HSPG protein cores, are involved in specific signaling pathways.     

Heterogeneous distribution of a basement membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan in rat tissues

A heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) synthesized by murine parietal yolk sac (PYS-2) cells has been characterized and purified from culture supernatants. A monospecific polyclonal antiserum was raised against it which showed activity against the HSPG core protein and basement membrane specificity in immunohistochemical studies on frozen tissue sections from many rat organs. However, there was no reactivity with some basement membranes, notably those of several smooth muscle types and cardiac muscle. In addition, it was found that pancreatic acinar basement membranes also lacked the HSPG type recognized by this antiserum. Those basement membranes that lacked the HSPG strongly stained with antisera against laminin and type IV collagen. The striking distribution pattern is possibly indicative of multiple species of basement membrane HSPGs of which one type is recognized by this antiserum. Further evidence for multiple HSPGs was derived from the finding that skeletal neuromuscular junction and liver epithelia also did not contain this type of HSPG, though previous reports have indicated the presence of HSPGs at these sites. The PYS-2 HSPG was shown to be antigenically related to the large, low buoyant density HSPG from the murine Engelbreth-Holm swarm tumor. It was, however, confirmed that only a single population of antibodies was present in the serum. Despite the presence of similar epitopes on these two proteoglycans of different hydrodynamic properties, it was apparent that the PYS-2 HSPG represents a basement membrane proteoglycan of distinct properties reflected in its restricted distribution in vivo.     

Comparison of heparan sulfate proteoglycans from equine and human glomerular basement membranes.

1. Proteoglycans extracted from human and equine glomerular basement membranes (GBM) were purified by ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. 2. The glycoconjugates had an apparent molecular mass of 200-400 kDa and consisted of 75% protein and 25% glycosaminoglycan. Glycosidase and HNO2 treatment and the amino sugar and sulfate composition of both proteoglycan preparations identified heparan sulfate (HS) as the predominant saccharide chain. 3. Hydrolysis with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid yielded comparable core proteins with molecular masses of ca 160 and 120 kDa. 4. The HS chains had an apparent molecular mass of 18 kDa. Results of heparitinase digestion and HNO2-treatment indicated a clustering of sulfate groups in the distal part of the HS side chains. 5. Peptide mapping after trypsin, clostripain or V8 protease digestion of radiolabeled human and equine heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) preparations with three different separation techniques showed large differences. 6. Polyclonal antisera raised against the HSPGs reacted against the core proteins. Both HSPG preparations and their antisera showed ca 40% cross-reactivity. About 50% of monoclonal antisera elicited against one HSPG preparation showed reaction with both HSPG preparations. 7. Polyclonal antisera stained all basement membranes in an intense linear fashion in indirect immunofluorescence studies of kidney sections from horse, man and various mammalian species. 8. Biochemical and immunological data indicate that HSPGs from equine and human GBM have a comparable structure, but the core proteins differ considerably.     

HSPG modulation of BMP signaling in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva cells

Cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) play important roles in morphogen gradient formation and cell signaling. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is dysregulated in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), a disabling disorder of progressive heterotopic bone formation. Here, we investigated the role of HSPG glycosaminoglycan (GAG) side chains on BMP signaling and found increased total and HSPG-specific GAG chain levels and dysregulation in HSPG modulation of BMP signaling in FOP lymphoblastoid cells (LCLs). Specifically, HSPG profiling demonstrated abundant mRNA and protein levels of glypican 1 and syndecan 4 on control and FOP LCLs, with elevated core protein levels on FOP cells. Targeted downregulation of glypican 1 core protein synthesis by siRNA enhanced BMP signaling in control and FOP cells, while reduction of syndecan 4-core protein synthesis decreased BMP signaling in control, but not FOP cells. These results suggest that FOP cells are resistant to the stimulatory effects of cell surface HSPG GAG chains, but are susceptible to the inhibitory effects, as shown by downregulation of glypican 1. These data support that HSPG modulation of BMP signaling is altered in cells from patients with FOP and that altered HSPG-related BMP signaling may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.     

Characterization of the heparin binding site in the N-terminus of human pro-islet amyloid polypeptide: implications for amyloid formation

Islet amyloid deposits are a characteristic pathological hallmark of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), also referred to as amylin, aggregates in the islet extracellular space to form amyloid deposits in up to 95% of patients with the disease. IAPP is stored with insulin in beta-islet cells and is processed in parallel by subtilisin-like prohormone convertases prior to secretion. There is indirect evidence that normal processing of the prohormone precursor, proIAPP, at the N-terminal cleavage site is defective in type 2 diabetes and results in secretion of an N-terminal extended proIAPP intermediate. The N-terminal flanking region of proIAPP is detected in amyloid deposits; however, the C-terminal flanking region is not. Immunohistochemical studies implicate the presence of the heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) perlecan in islet amyloid deposits, suggesting a role for HSPGs in mediating amyloid deposition in type 2 diabetes and implicating a binding domain in the N-terminus of proIAPP. Initial studies of proIAPP indicated that the HSPG binding region is contained within the first 30 residues. Here, we characterize the potential HSPG binding site of proIAPP in detail by analyzing a set of peptide fragments. Binding is tighter at low pH due to protonation of histidine residues. Deletion studies show that Arg-22 and His-29 play a role in binding. Reduction of the Cys-13 to Cys-18 disulfide leads to a noticeable decrease in binding. We demonstrate the ability of heparan sulfate to induce amyloid formation in N-terminal fragments of proIAPP. The oxidized peptide forms amyloid more rapidly than the reduced variant in the presence of heparan sulfate, but the reduced peptide ultimately forms more extensive amyloid deposits. The potential implications for islet amyloid formation in vivo are discussed.     

Isolation of the heparan sulfate proteoglycans from the extracellular matrix of rat skeletal muscle

We have previously shown that asymmetric collagen-tailed acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is anchored to the extracellular matrix (ECM) by heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). Here we present our studies on the characterization of such PGs from the ECM of rat skeletal muscles. After radiolabeling with 35SO4 for 24h, PGs were extracted from the muscle ECM with 4.0 M guanidine-HCl containing protease inhibitors. PGs were subsequently isolated using sequential DEAE-Sephacel chromatography, digestion with chondroitinase ABC, and Sepharose CL-4B. Two different hydrodynamic size species of HSPGs were found. One type had a Mr of 4-6 X 10(5) (Kav = 0.25) as estimated by gel chromatography in the presence of 1% SDS and accounted for 75% of the total HSPGs. The other HSPG had a Mr 1.5-2.5 X 10(5) (Kav = 0.41). The glycosaminoglycan (GAG) side chains (Mr 20,000 and 12,000) were found composed only of heparan sulfate as determined by nitrous acid oxidation and heparitinase treatment. The large-sized HSPG, which is concentrated in synaptic regions, contains only GAG chains of Mr 20,000, suggesting that each HSPG contains only one kind of heparan sulfate chain in its structure. Our results definitively establish by biochemical criteria that the basement membrane of mammalian skeletal muscle contains HSPGs, the likely matrix receptor for the immobilization of the asymmetric collagen-tailed AChE at the neuromuscular junction.     

Electron microscopic histochemical and immunochemical analyses of heparan sulfate proteoglycan distribution in renal glomerular basement membranes.

Renal glomerular basement membranes (GBMs) exhibit a charge-selective barrier, comprised of anionic sites, that restrict the passage of anionic molecules into the urine. These sites are located primarily in the laminae rarae interna (LRI) and externa (LRE) of the GBM and consist of heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG). Previous efforts to localize HSPG core protein within various layers of the GBM have been contradictory. In the present study when rat renal cortex blocks were treated by immersion with the cationic probe, polyethyleneimine (PEI), GBMs exhibited anionic sites concentrated primarily in the LRE and more irregularly within the LRI and lamina densa. All sites were heparitinase sensitive indicating that PEI positive sites represent negatively charged groups associated with heparan sulfate. In order to gain information on the distribution of the HSPG protein core, antibodies to HSPG from the EHS tumor matrix [anti-(EHS) HSPG] and GBMs [anti-(GBM) HSPG] were used together with immunogold to label thin sections of Lowicryl embedded kidney cortex. Depending upon the antisera used, markedly different distributions of HSPG were obtained. Immunolabelling with anti-(GBM) HSPG suggested a distribution of HSPG which was restricted to the laminae rarae, whereas labelling with anti-(EHS) HSPG indicated that the protein core penetrates through all layers of the GBM.     

Enzymatic remodeling of heparan sulfate proteoglycans within the tumor microenvironment: growth regulation and the prospect of new cancer therapies

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), via their interactions with numerous effector molecules such as FGF-2, IL-8, and VEGF, regulate the biological activity of cells by acting as co-receptors that promote signaling. The extent and nature of their role as co-receptors is often misregulated in cancer as manifested by alterations in HSPG structure and expression level. This misregulation of HSPGs can aid in promoting the malignant phenotype. In addition to expression-related changes in HSPGs, recent discoveries indicate that HSPGs localized within the tumor microenvironment can be attacked by enzymes that alter proteoglycan structure resulting in dramatic effects on tumor growth and metastasis. This review focuses on remodeling of HSPGs by three distinct mechanisms that occur in vivo; (i) shedding of proteoglycan extracellular domains from cell surfaces, (ii) fragmentation of heparan sulfate chains by heparanase, and (iii) removal of sulfates from the 6-O position of heparan sulfate chains by extracellular sulfatases. Assessing or monitoring the remodeling of HSPGs has important implications for tumor diagnosis and patient prognosis while therapeutic manipulation of the remodeling process represents an exciting new possibility for treating cancer.     

Transforming growth factor (type beta) promotes the addition of chondroitin sulfate chains to the cell surface proteoglycan (syndecan) of mouse mammary epithelia

Cultured monolayers of NMuMG mouse mammary epithelial cells have augmented amounts of cell surface chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan (GAG) when cultured in transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), presumably because of increased synthesis on their cell surface proteoglycan (named syndecan), previously shown to contain chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate GAG. This increase occurs throughout the monolayer as shown using soluble thrombospondin as a binding probe. However, comparison of staining intensity of the GAG chains and syndecan core protein suggests variability among cells in the attachment of GAG chains to the core protein. Characterization of purified syndecan confirms the enhanced addition of chondroitin sulfate in TGF-beta: (a) radiosulfate incorporation into chondroitin sulfate is increased 6.2-fold in this proteoglycan fraction and heparan sulfate is increased 1.8-fold, despite no apparent increase in amount of core protein per cell, and (b) the size and density of the proteoglycan are increased, but reduced by removal of chondroitin sulfate. This is shown in part by treatment of the cells with 0.5 mM xyloside that blocks the chondroitin sulfate addition without affecting heparan sulfate. Higher xyloside concentrations block heparan sulfate as well and syndecan appears at the cell surface as core protein without GAG chains. The enhanced amount of GAG on syndecan is partly attributed to an increase in chain length. Whereas this accounts for the additional heparan sulfate synthesis, it is insufficient to explain the total increase in chondroitin sulfate; an approximately threefold increase in chondroitin sulfate chain addition occurs as well, confirmed by assessing chondroitin sulfate ABC lyase (ABCase)-generated chondroitin sulfate linkage stubs on the core protein. One of the effects of TGF-beta during embryonic tissue interactions is likely to be the enhanced synthesis of chondroitin sulfate chains on this cell surface proteoglycan.     

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans as regulators of fibroblast growth factor-2 signaling in brain endothelial cells. Specific role for glypican-1 in glioma angiogenesis

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) is a potent angiogenic factor in gliomas. Heparan sulfate promotes ligand binding to receptor tyrosine kinase and regulates signaling. The goal of this study was to examine the contribution of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) to glioma angiogenesis. Here we show that all brain endothelial cell HSPGs carry heparan sulfate chains similarly capable of forming a ternary complex with FGF2 and fibroblast growth factor receptor-1c and of promoting a mitogenic signal. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that glypican-1 was overexpressed in glioma vessel endothelial cells, whereas this cell-surface HSPG was consistently undetectable in normal brain vessels. To determine the effect of increased glypican-1 expression on FGF2 signaling, we transfected normal brain endothelial cells, which express low base-line levels of glypican-1, with this proteoglycan. Glypican-1 expression enhanced growth of brain endothelial cells and sensitized them to FGF2-induced mitogenesis despite the fact that glypican-1 remained a minor proteoglycan. In contrast, overexpression of syndecan-1 had no effect on growth or FGF2 sensitivity. We conclude that the glypican-1 core protein has a specific role in FGF2 signaling. Glypican-1 overexpression may contribute to angiogenesis and the radiation resistance characteristic of this malignancy.     

硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖的功能机制研究进展

硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖是由核心蛋白和与之相连的硫酸乙酰肝素糖链组成,广泛分布于细胞膜与细胞外基质中。其中多配体蛋白聚糖（syndecan）和糖基磷脂酰肌醇锚定蛋白聚糖（glypican）存在与细胞膜上,而串珠蛋白聚糖（perlecan）和组合蛋白聚糖（agrin）表达在细胞外基质中。该类蛋白在生理与病理历程中,如发育、伤口愈合、肿瘤发生发展、感染、免疫应答等过程中担任重要作用,这些功能是其核心蛋白和糖链共同作用的结果。概述硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖的功能及其机制研究进展,同时强调其在作为药物靶标和临床诊断研究中的应用。     

Characterization of heparan sulfate proteoglycan from calf lens capsule and proteoglycans synthesized by cultured lens epithelial cells. Comparison with other basement membrane proteoglycans

After extraction with 4 M guanidinium chloride and purification by DEAE-cellulose chromatography, the heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) of calf anterior lens capsule was found to consist of two immunologically related components (Mr = 340,000 and 250,000) which upon deglycosylation with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid yielded core proteins with Mr values of 170,000 and 145,000. The heparan sulfate chains were uniform in size (Mr = 14,000) and manifested a clustering of sulfate groups in a peripheral domain. From the decrease in Mr observed after heparitinase digestion, it could be estimated that 6 and 11 glycosaminoglycan chains were present in the Mr = 250,000 and 340,000 components respectively. The occurrence of N-linked oligosaccharides was evident from the size difference of the heparitinase- and trifluoromethane-sulfonic acid-treated proteoglycans (approximately 20 kDa), as well as from the presence of a substantial number of mannose residues; furthermore, interaction of the capsule proteoglycan with Bandeiraea simplicifolia I suggested that these carbohydrate units contains terminal alpha-D-Gal groups. Cultured lens epithelial cells deposited a single [35S]sulfate-labeled proteoglycan into their matrix (Mr = 400,000) which was immunologically related to the lens capsule proteoglycan and contained only heparan sulfate chains. In addition to this component, the medium from these cells contained an immunologically unrelated HSPG (Mr = 150,000) as well as a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (Mr = 240,000). Examination of bovine glomeruli indicated that, in addition to the previously described 200-kDa HSPG, an immunologically related 350-kDa component was also present. This size heterogeneity, which is comparable to that seen in the lens capsule, is most readily attributable to proteolytic processing of a precursor molecule. Studies with polyclonal antibodies demonstrated only limited cross-reactivities between the Engelbreth-Holms-Swarm proteoglycan and the components from lens capsule and glomerular basement membrane; since even the latter two differed somewhat in their antigenic sites, it would appear that cell- and species-dictated genetic differences as well as post-translational events contribute to the diversity observed in basement membrane HSPGs.     

High affinity interactions between the Alzheimer's beta-amyloid precursor proteins and the basement membrane form of heparan sulfate proteoglycan

High affinity interactions were studied between the basement membrane form of heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) and the 695-, 751-, and 770-amino acid Alzheimer amyloid precursor (AAP) proteins. Based on quantitative analyses of binding data, we identified single binding sites for the HSPG on AAP-695 (Kd = 9 x 10(-10) M), AAP-751 (Kd = 10 x 10(-9) M), and AAP-770 (Kd = 9 x 10(-9) M). It is postulated that the "Kunitz" protease inhibitor domain which is present in AAP-751 and -770 reduces the affinity of AAPs for the HSPG through steric hindrance and/or conformational alteration. HSPG binding was inhibited by heparin and dextran sulfate, but not by dermatan or chondroitin sulfate. HSPG protein core, obtained by heparitinase digestion, also bound to the beta-amyloid precursor proteins with high affinity, indicating that the high affinity binding site is constituted by the polypeptide chain rather than the carbohydrate moiety. The effects of various cations on these interactions were also studied. Our results suggest that specific interactions between the AAP proteins and the extracellular matrix may be involved in the nucleation stages of Alzheimer's disease type amyloidogenesis.     

Identification and characterization of ligands for L-selectin in the kidney. III. Characterization of L-selectin reactive heparan sulfate proteoglycans

L-Selectin, a leukocyte adhesion molecule, mediates leukocyte rolling on the endothelium and plays a critical role in leukocyte recruitment at inflammatory sites as well as in lymphocyte homing. We have previously shown that L-selectin reactive chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are both expressed in the distal tubules of the kidney and that versican is one of the chondroitin sulfate-type ligands. In the present study, we characterized the heparan sulfate-type ligand(s) in more detail. The molecular sizes of HSPGs were approximately 600 kDa with core protein sizes of 160 and 180 kDa. Western blotting analysis showed that L-selectin reactive HSPGs were neither agrin nor perlecan, major basement membrane HSPGs in the kidney. The binding to L-selectin was mediated by the lectin domain of L-selectin in a Ca2+-dependent manner and required heparan sulfate side chains, but not sialic acid. To our knowledge, this is the first biochemical characterization of the L-selectin reactive heparan sulfate proteoglycan(s) in the distal tubules of the kidney.     

Repression of myogenic differentiation by aFGF, bFGF, and K-FGF is dependent on cellular heparan sulfate

We have proposed a model in which fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling requires the interaction of FGF with at least two FGF receptors, a heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) and a tyrosine kinase. Since FGF may be a key mediator of skeletal muscle differentiation, we examined the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans in MM14 skeletal muscle myoblasts and their participation in FGF signalling. Proliferating and differentiated MM14 cells exhibit similar levels of HSPG, while differentiated cells exhibit reduced levels of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and heparan sulfate chains. HSPGs, including syndecan, present in proliferating cells bind bFGF, while the majority of chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate chains do not. Treatment of skeletal muscle cells with chlorate, a reversible inhibitor of glycosaminoglycan sulfation, was used to examine the requirement of sulfated proteoglycans for FGF signalling. Chlorate treatment reduced glycosaminoglycan sulfation by 90% and binding of FGF to high affinity sites by 80%. Chlorate treatment of MM14 myoblasts abrogated the biological activity of acidic, basic, and Kaposi's sarcoma FGFs resulting in terminal differentiation. Chlorate inhibition of FGF signalling was reversed by the simultaneous addition of sodium sulfate or heparin. Further support for a direct role of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in fibroblast growth factor signal transduction was demonstrated by the ability of heparitinase to inhibit basic FGF binding and biological activity. These results suggest that activation of FGF receptors by acidic, basic or Kaposi's sarcoma FGF requires simultaneous binding to a HSPG and the tyrosine kinase receptor. Skeletal muscle differentiation in vivo may be dependent on FGFs, FGF tyrosine kinase receptors, and HSPGs. The regulation of these molecules may then be expected to have important implications for skeletal muscle development and regeneration.