Heparin and heparan sulfate: structure and function

Abstract

This review covers the structure and function of heparin and heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans. Their chemical structures are discussed, including recently developed methods for sequencing picomole to nanomole quantities of heparin- and heparan sulfate-derived oligosaccharides. The biosynthesis of heparin and heparan sulfate is reviewed as it relates to their diverse and varied structures, and their biological activities and functions are discussed. The literature up to August 2001 is reviewed, and 208 references are cited.