Perlecan is a modular heparan sulfate proteoglycan that is localized to cell surfaces and
within basement membranes. Its ability to interact with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)
suggests a central role in angiogenesis during development, wound healing, and tumor
invasion. In the present study we investigated, using domain specific anti-perlecan
monoclonal antibodies, the binding site of bFGF on human endothelial perlecan and its
cleavage by proteolytic and glycolytic enzymes. The heparan sulfate was removed from …