Specific functions of Exostosin-like 3 (EXTL3) gene products

Exostosin-like 3 (EXTL3) encodes the glycosyltransferases responsible for the biosynthesis of the backbone structure of heparan sulfate (HS), a sulfated polysaccharide that is ubiquitously distributed on the animal cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. A lack of EXTL3 reduces HS levels and causes embryonic lethality, indicating its indispensable role in the biosynthesis of HS. EXTL3 has also been identified as a receptor molecule for regenerating islet-derived (REG) protein ligands, which have been shown to stimulate islet β-cell growth. REG proteins also play roles in keratinocyte proliferation and/or differentiation, tissue regeneration and immune defenses in the gut as well as neurite outgrowth in the central nervous system. Compared with the established function of EXTL3 as a glycosyltransferase in HS biosynthesis, the REG-receptor function of EXTL3 is not conclusive. Genetic diseases caused by biallelic mutations in the EXTL3 gene were recently reported to result in a neuro-immuno-skeletal dysplasia syndrome. EXTL3 is a key molecule for the biosynthesis of HS and may be involved in the signal transduction of REG proteins.