Question

4) Answer the following briefly:

a) The ECM functions in more than support and adhesion, what other functions does it have?

b) How and where is a GAG synthesized? What is the function? How is hyaluronan different?

c) What are proteoglycans, where and how is it made? What is the function?

d) What are some examples of cell adhesive glycoproteins? What is their function?

e) What are the fibers that make up the extracellular matrix? What are their structural properties?

Answer 1

A) ECM helps in regulating cell dynamic behavior, segregate each tissue from one another and also have role in regulating intracellular communication.

B) Process of biosynthesis of GAG is conducted in cytoplasm,by the synthesis of five uridine diphosphate derived activated sugars.

They play crucial role in cell signalling, including the regulatiin of cell proliferation, growth, adhesion etc.

Hyalorunan is a GAG which ehich doesnot contwin any sulfate and doesnot have any covalent attachment with proteins

C) Proteoglycabs are formed by GAG'S. They are mwinly seen in connective tissue, ECM, etc. The main function of proteoglycan is that it act as a crucial component of extra cellular matrix

D) ECM is made of GAGs and several fibrous protein including elastin, collagen, fibronectin etc. It contains carbohydrate and many bone matrix proteins.