--- res: bibo_abstract: - Conventional wisdom has it that proteins fold and assemble into definite structures, and that this defines their function. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are different. In most cases the structures they form have a low degree of order, even when interacting with proteins. Here, we discuss how physical features common to all GAGs — hydrophilicity, charge, linearity and semi-flexibility — underpin the overall properties of GAG-rich matrices. By integrating soft matter physics concepts (e.g. polymer brushes and phase separation) with our molecular understanding of GAG–protein interactions, we can better comprehend how GAG-rich matrices assemble, what their properties are, and how they function. Taking perineuronal nets (PNNs) — a GAG-rich matrix enveloping neurons — as a relevant example, we propose that microphase separation determines the holey PNN anatomy that is pivotal to PNN functions.@eng bibo_authorlist: - foaf_Person: foaf_givenName: Ralf foaf_name: Richter, Ralf foaf_surname: Richter - foaf_Person: foaf_givenName: Natalia foaf_name: Baranova, Natalia foaf_surname: Baranova foaf_workInfoHomepage: http://www.librecat.org/personId=38661662-F248-11E8-B48F-1D18A9856A87 orcid: 0000-0002-3086-9124 - foaf_Person: foaf_givenName: Anthony foaf_name: Day, Anthony foaf_surname: Day - foaf_Person: foaf_givenName: Jessica foaf_name: Kwok, Jessica foaf_surname: Kwok bibo_doi: 10.1016/j.sbi.2017.12.002 bibo_volume: 50 dct_date: 2018^xs_gYear dct_identifier: - UT:000443661300011 dct_language: eng dct_publisher: Elsevier@ dct_title: 'Glycosaminoglycans in extracellular matrix organisation: Are concepts from soft matter physics key to understanding the formation of perineuronal nets?@' ...