In cooperation with Bioinformatics and Modeling, Quantitative Proteomics and Functional Profiling

During tumor growth, transformed cells remodel the extracellular space for dynamic growth conditions, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) as well as proteoglycans (PGs) play a major role in these remodeling processes. As extracellular GAGs display a high degree of microheterogenity, their expression pattern may define the chemokine and growth factor gradient, and thereby influence the degree of cell cycle progression and migration. Extracellular GAGs and PGs also compete with cell surface molecules for the sequestration and presentation of chemokines and growth factors to their receptors. In addition, several proteinases interact with GAGs, which can lead to inhibition or activation of their enzymatic activity. In our project, we implement in-vitro and in-vivo models to characterize the interplay between proteins involved in glycosaminoglycan degradation, protease activity and cell signaling. The objective of this systematic study is to understand how transformed cells remodel the extracellular space for dynamic growth conditions during tumor progression and metastasis.