Proteoglycans: Gene Cloning -- Proteoglycan: Site Mapping and Site-Directed Mutagenesis -- Mapping of the Wnt/β-Catenin/TCF Response Elements in the Human Versican Promoter -- Gene Silencing in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells -- A Novel Strategy for a Splice-Variant Selective Gene Ablation: The Example of the Versican V0/V2 Knockout -- Detection of Neurocan in Cerebrospinal Fluid -- Glycosaminoglycan Chain Analysis and Characterization (Glycosylation/Epimerization) -- Characterization of Glycosaminoglycans by Tandem Vibrational Microspectroscopy and Multivariate Data Analysis -- Glycosaminoglycans: Oligosaccharide Analysis by Liquid Chromatography/Specific Labeling -- Brain Chondroitin/Dermatan Sulfate, from Cerebral Tissue to Fine Structure: Extraction, Preparation, and Fully Automated Chip-Electrospray Mass Spectrometric Analysis -- Use of Neutrons Reveal the Dynamics of Cell Surface Glycosaminoglycans -- Following Protein-Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) Polysaccharide Interactions with Differential Scanning Fluorimetry (DSF) -- In Vivo Scintigraphic Imaging of Proteoglycans -- Serglycin: The Master of the Mast Cell -- Analysis of Aggrecan Catabolism by Immunoblotting and Immunohistochemistry -- Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans as Multifunctional Cell Regulators: Cell Surface Receptors -- Models for Studies of Proteoglycans in Kidney Pathophysiology -- Lumican Promotes Corneal Epithelial Wound Healing -- Shedding of Cell Membrane-Bound Proteoglycans -- Modulatory Effects of Proteoglycans on Proteinase Activities -- Proteoglycans and Osteolysis -- Proteoglycans and Cartilage Repair.

Now recognized as a reservoir for growth factors and cytokines modulating cell activation status and turnover, proteoglycans have stimulated great amount of interest and research.  In Proteoglycans: Methods and Protocols, experts in the field examine issues of basic concepts and up-to-date analysis methods for proteoglycan and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) at the protein and saccharide levels.  The volume continues with the multifunctional aspect of proteoglycans, highlighted through three relevant examples of proteoglycans with highly different strucutures: serglycin, aggrecan, and heparin sulphate proteoglycans.  The final chapter describes proteoglycan involvement in the pathogenesis of various disorders and their potential therapeutic value in osteo-articular diseases. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.   Authoritative and accessible, Proteoglycans: Methods and Protocols is an ideal guide for scientists attempting to pursue further research in this vital and complex area of study.