What is the Role of Heparan Sulfate in Development?
During development, heparan sulfate is essential for the proper formation of tissues and organs. It regulates the activity of morphogens such as fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), which are crucial for embryonic patterning and organogenesis. Disruptions in heparan sulfate biosynthesis can lead to developmental abnormalities and congenital defects.