Biglycan, also known as PG-S1 and BGN, is a a small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycan (SLRP). It can be detected in a variety of extracellular matrix tissues, including bone, cartilage and tendon. Biglycan consists of a protein core containing leucine-rich repeat regions and two glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains consisting of either chondroitin sulfate (CS) or dermatan sulfate (DS). Non-glycanated forms of biglycan (no GAG chains) increase with age in human articular cartilage. Biglycan interacts with collagen, both via the core protein and GAG chains. Biglycan plays a role in the mineralisation of bone. Biglycan core protein binds to the growth factors BMP-4 and influences its bioactivity.
