Re-visiting the structure of heparin
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Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Surface Engineering of Pancreatic Islets with a Heparinized StarPEG Nanocoating
Published on: June 23, 2018
Benito Casu1, Annamaria Naggi1, Giangiacomo Torri1
1G. Ronzoni Institute for Chemical and Biochemical Research, via G. Colombo, 81 20133 Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
The sulfated polysaccharide heparin has been used as a life-saving anticoagulant in clinics well before its detailed structure was known. This mini-review is a survey of the evolution in the discovery of the primary and secondary structure of heparin. Highlights in this history include elucidation and synthesis of the specific sequence that binds to antithrombin, the development of low-molecular-weight heparins currently used as antithrombotic drugs, and the most promising start of chemo-enzymatic synthesis. Special emphasis is given to peculiar conformational properties contributing to interaction with proteins that modulate different biological properties.
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