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Nature Cell Biology 3, E229–E231 (1 October 2001) | doi:10.1038/ncb1001-e229

Sugar-coated pathways for developmental patterning

Mark E. Fortini

Modification of proteins by the covalent attachment of carbohydrate chains has emerged as a key feature of several developmental signal-transduction pathways. Heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPGs), proteins bearing long unbranched sugar polymer chains, influence the assembly or activity of signalling complexes at the cell surface and are important for Wingless (Wg/Wnt), Hedgehog (Hh), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling.