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Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Characterization of Cell Membrane Extensions and Studying Their Roles in Cancer Cell Adhesion Dynamics
Published on: March 26, 2018
Emerging roles of syndecan 2 in epithelial and mesenchymal cancer progression
Maria Mytilinaiou1, Dragana Nikitovic1, Aikaterini Berdiaki1
1Laboratory of Anatomy-Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.
Abstract:
Syndecan 2 (SDC2) belongs to a four-member family of evolutionary conserved small type I transmembrane proteoglycans consisting of a protein core to which glycosaminoglycan chains are covalently attached. SDC2 is a cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan, which is increasingly drawing attention for its distinct characteristics and its participation in numerous cell functions, including those related to carcinogenesis. Increasing evidence suggests that the role of SDC2 in cancer pathogenesis is dependent on cancer tissue origin rendering its use as a biomarker/therapeutic target feasible. This mini review discusses the mechanisms, through which SDC2, in a distinct manner, modulates complex signalling networks to affect cancer progression. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(11):824-833, 2017.
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