Sulfatase 1 exhibits arylsulfatase activity and highly specific endoglucosamine-6-sulfatase activity. It can remove sulfate from the C-6 position of glucosamine within specific subregions of intact heparin. Sulfatase 1 diminishes HSPG (heparan sulfate proteoglycans) sulfation, inhibits signaling by heparin-dependent growth factors, diminishes proliferation, and facilitates apoptosis in response to exogenous stimulation. Sulfatase 1 is expressed at highest levels in testis, stomach, skeletal muscle, lung, kidney, pancreas, small intestine and colon. It is also detected in normal ovarian surface epithelial cells. Down-regulation of sulfatase 1 is seen in ovarian carcinoma cell lines, ovarian cancers, breast, pancreatic, renal and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.