At 20 days of embryonic development, significant elevations were noted in LSN decorin transcript levels. At 6 weeks posthatch, decorin transcript levels were indistinguishable from the normal control. These data suggest that the alteration in decorin transcription is limited to a late embryonic stage in development. These processes, in part, involve the interaction of the cell with extracellular glycosaminoglycans or proteoglycans. Proteoglycans are defined as any molecule with a core protein and at least one attached glycosaminoglycan chain.
Skeletal muscle contains dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and heparan sulfate proteoglycans.
Based on these properties, proteoglycans have a significant potential to influence muscle growth and development. Although extracellular matrix macromolecules have been identified in skeletal muscle, their role in muscle development and function is relatively unknown. Birk et al. The interaction of decorin proteoglycans with collagen fibers may play a significant role in regulating muscle growth and development. With age and maturation, there is a general increase in collagen crosslinking.