Sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs) (sGAGs)

Sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs) are complex, linear polysaccharides characterized by repeating disaccharide units and high sulfate substitution, which confers a significant negative charge density [1]. Predominantly found as components of proteoglycans on cell surfaces and within the extracellular matrix, sGAGs like heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate serve as critical scaffolds for protein-protein interactions [2]. They modulate a wide range of biological activities, including blood coagulation, growth factor signaling, and cell-matrix adhesion [3]. In clinical medicine, sGAGs are primary targets for anticoagulation therapy, where heparin derivatives potentiate antithrombin III to inhibit clotting factors [4]. Furthermore, sGAGs are increasingly recognized for their roles in cancer metastasis and viral pathogenesis, leading to the development of sGAG mimetics and inhibitors designed to disrupt these pathological interactions [5].

Other names

Heparan sulfateChondroitin sulfateDermatan sulfateKeratan sulfateHeparinSulfated GAGsGlycosaminoglycans

Drugs targeting sGAGs primarily act by potentiating antithrombin III to inhibit thrombin and Factor Xa [4], competitively inhibiting growth factor binding to cell surface receptors [3], or neutralizing the negative charge of the polysaccharides to reverse their biological activity [1].