Xylosyltransferase II (XYLT2)

Xylosyltransferase 2 is an isoform of xylosyltransferase, which belongs to a family of glycosyltransferases. This enzyme transfers xylose from UDP-xylose to specific serine residues of the core protein and initiates the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycan chains in proteoglycans including chondroitin sulfate, heparan sulfate, heparin and dermatan sulfate. The enzyme activity, which is increased in scleroderma patients, is a diagnostic marker for the determination of sclerotic activity in systemic sclerosis.Probably catalyzes the first step in biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycan. Transfers D-xylose from UDP-D-xylose to specific serine residues of the core protein. Initial enzyme in the biosynthesis of chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate proteoglycans in fibroblasts and chondrocytes (By similarity).