Early brain development is characterised by the proliferation of neural precursor cells. Several families of signalling molecules such as the fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and Wnts are known to play important roles in this early phase of brain development. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that signalling of these molecules requires the presence of heparan @entity597 chains attached to a @entity39697 ( @entity13222 ). However, the specific identity of the @entity13222 components in the developing brain is unknown. To determine which HSPGs might be involved at this early phase, we analysed the expression of the major cell surface @entity13222 families in the developing brain at a time of most active proliferation. @entity13221 and @entity45403 were the most highly expressed in the developing brain during the time of peak proliferation and localise to ventricular regions of the brain, where the precursor cells are proliferating. @entity13224 , although less abundant, also localises to cells in the ventricular zone. We have also examined @entity13222 involvement in brain development using cultures of embryonic neural precursor cells. We find that @entity540 stimulation of proliferation is inhibited in the presence of @entity3781 , an inhibitor of heparan @entity597 synthesis, and is rescued by addition of exogenous heparan @entity597 . These data support a requirement for heparan @entity597 in FGF signalling for proliferation of brain precursor cells. The expression of these specific HSPGs within the proliferative zone of the brain suggests that they may be involved in regulation of early brain development, such as FGF-stimulated proliferation.

Localisation of specific heparan XXXX proteoglycans during the proliferative phase of brain development.

@entity39697 :: ('1634', 'Gene') :: ['proteoglycan core protein'] @entity13224 :: ('6385', 'Gene') :: ['Syndecan-4'] @entity3781 :: ('MESH:C032706', 'Chemical') :: ['sodium chlorate'] @entity45403 :: ('2239', 'Gene') :: ['glypican-4'] @entity13222 :: ('6383', 'Gene') :: ['HSPG'] @entity540 :: ('2247', 'Gene') :: ['FGF2'] @entity13221 :: ('6382', 'Gene') :: ['Syndecan-1'] @entity597 :: ('CHEBI:16189', 'Chemical') :: ['sulfate']
@entity597 :: (CHEBI:16189,Chemical) :: ['sulfate']
