Sulfatase 1 (SULF1)

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) act as coreceptors for numerous heparin-binding growth factors and cytokines and are involved in cell signaling. Heparan sulfate 6-O-endosulfatases, such as SULF1, selectively remove 6-O-sulfate groups from heparan sulfate. This activity modulates the effects of heparan sulfate by altering binding sites for signaling molecules.

The deduced 871-amino acid protein contains an N-terminal signal sequence, followed by a sulfatase domain, a hydrophilic region, and a C-terminal substrate recognition domain. It also has a coiled-coil region, 10 N-glycosylation sites, and several consensus furin cleavage sites. SULF1 shares about 64% identity with SULF2 and 93% identity with mouse Sulf1.