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Perlecan (HSPG2) is an exceptionally large (4391 amino acids, 468 kDa) heparan sulfate proteoglycan encoded by the HSPG2 gene. Characterized by its string of pearls appearance and five distinct domains (I-V), Perlecan is a ubiquitous and essential component of all native basement membranes and the extracellular matrix (ECM). It is synthesized by various cell types, including vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells, and plays a critical role in binding and cross-linking numerous ECM components and cell-surface molecules, thereby contributing to tissue architecture and mediating cell-matrix interactions.