... chordates possessonly one syndecan, which is essential for neuronaldevelopment and axon guidance [1,2]. All cells expressat least one member of the syndecan family [3], with the exception of erythrocytes. ... whereasothers partners are the actin-associated protein a-acti-nin as well as syndesmos, about whose function ratherlittle is known [10]. The transmembrane domain of allsyndecans contains a GXXXG ... 2010)doi:10.1111/j.1742-4658.2010.07798 .x Proteolytic processes in the extracellular matrix are a major influence on cell adhesion, migration, survival, differentiation and proliferation. The syndecan cell-surface...