# Probing the role of heparanase via in situ labeling

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 2020 · $375,312

## Abstract

Abstract
Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), major components in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of
all tissue types, participate in structural integrity of ECM and regulate cellular signaling via
binding with ECM components and protein ligands such as growth factors and chemokines.
Heparanase, the only known enzyme that can cleave the heparan sulfate (HS) side chains of
HSPGs, regulates many cellular processes including ECM remodeling and homeostasis of cell-
associated HS, and it controls the bioavailability and activity of molecules attached to HS. We
hypothesize that heparanase cleaves HS side chains in a programmed manner – certain HS
cleavage leads to cell dissemination, while cleavage of other specific HS structures is in charge
of release of specific signaling molecules, or homeostasis of HSPGs. Our long term goal is to
define the precise role of heparanase in various pathological conditions. The current research
focuses on the development of a set of molecular tools that can visualize spatiotemporal
activities of heparanase in both live cells and animal models. These structurally defined probes
incorporate in situ labeling strategy to retain the readout signals at site of heparanase action to
achieve high spatial resolution and precision. We will use these molecular probes to test our
hypothesis in cancer models, and to study the structurally defined role of heparanase during
ECM remodeling using molecular imaging both in vitro and in vivo.
!

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9984423
- **Project number:** 5R35GM124963-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** Lina Cui
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $375,312
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-08-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9984423

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9984423, Probing the role of heparanase via in situ labeling (5R35GM124963-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9984423. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*