Purification and Properties of Bacterial Chondroitinases and Chondrosulfatases

Differences in the constitution and distribution of acidic glycosaminoglycans in the intimal and adventitial layers of bovine aorta

Differences in the constitution of acidic glycosaminoglycans (AGAG) in the intimal layer and in the adventitia of bovine aorta were demonstrated by means of enzymatic assay and electrophoretic characterization after fractionation by ion-exchange chromatography and by gel filtration. The data obtained after ion-exchange chromatography indicated that chondroitin 4-sulfate and chondroitin 6-sulfate were the predominant constituents in the intima, whereas hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulfate, oversulfated dermatan sulfate, and heparan sulfates and a related glucosaminoglycan were the predominant constituents in the adventitia. The molecular weight dependent distribution of the aortic AGAG by gel filtration indicated that hyaluronic acid was prevalent in the high molecular weight fractions from both layers whereas chondroitin, heparan sulfates and the related glucosaminoglycan were present in the low molecular weight fraction, especially in adventitial AGAG. Chondroitin sulfate isomers, dermatan sulfate and oversulfated dermatan sulfate were distributed almost equally in all fractions, but the proportions were different in the two layers.

Translocation of hyaluronic acid in cell surface of cultured mammalian cells after x-irradiation and its recovery by added adenosine triphosphate

To investigate the mechanism of radiation-induced decrease in cell electrophoretic mobility and its recovery by added adenosine triphosphate, specific enzymes and buffer solutions of different ionic strength were utilized. Decrease in the mobility of irradiated cells was detected only with the buffer solution of ionic strengths higher than 0.100. In this range of ionic strengths, removal of hyaluronic acid from cell surface by hyaluronidase had no effect on the electrophoretic mobility of irradiated cells, while the enzyme treatment resulted in 27% mobility reduction in non-irradiated cells. The removal of sialic acid and chondroitin sulfate by their specific enzymes resulted in the similar decrease in mobility either in irradiated and non-irradiated cells. These results suggest that the X-ray induced translocation of hyaluronic acid from the peripheral zone of O--7.5 A into the deeper zone of about 10--17 A, if we use the Debye-Hückel's thickness of ion atmosphere for an approximate estimate of effective depth of electrokinetic plane of shear. Hyaluronic acid reappeared to the peripheral zone by the subsequent incubation after small dose irradiation, or by the addition of 1 mM adenosine triphosphate with Ca2+.

Glycosaminoglycans in congenital pseudarthrosis

Light and electron microscopic studies on cells and matrices of congenital pseudarthrosis of the femur of a 5.5-year-old male revealed three areas with different morphological features; a fibrous area, a cartilaginous area and an osseous area. Glycosaminoglycans were isolated from each of the three areas and characterized by the degradation with chondroitinases. Although chondroitin sulfate was the major component in all regions, a significant amount of dermatan sulfate occurred in the fibrous area. A small amount of hyaluronic acid was found in both fibrous and osseous areas. These suggest that the peculiar composition of glycosaminoglycans in the affected part may account for some clinical aspects of the disease which resists treatment.

Isolation and identification of glycosaminoglycans associated with purified nuclei from rat liver

Nuclei isolated from rat liver were purified extensively and then subjected to extraction of glycosaminoglycans by the conventional method with a slight modification including the treatments with amylase, nucleases (DNAase and RNAase), and sialidase in addition to the pronase treatment. The nuclear glycosaminoglycan fraction thus prepared was subjected to chromatography on Dowes 1-X2 (Cl-) and electrophoresis before or after digestion with specific enzymes such as Streptomyces hyaluronidase, chondroitinase ABC and AC. These results together with the results of chemical analyses have revealed that the purified nuclei from rat liver contain glycosaminoglycans equivalent to 0.2-0.3 microgram hexuronic acid per mg DNA. A major component of the nuclear glycosaminoglycans has been identified as hyaluronic acid, while a minor component as chondroitin sulfate A (OR C). Preliminary investigations have shown that most of the nuclear glycosaminoglycans are associated with the chromatin fraction.

Differetial staining of glycosaminoglycans, utilizing bacterial chondroitinase and chondrosulphatase

A histochemical method for the differentiation of glucosaminoglycans, utilizing bacterial chondroitinase ABC and chondro-4- and -6 sulphatases, and staining with Alcian blue, is presented. The method is applied on human tissues with known glucosaminoglycan content (ganglion cyst, umbilical cord, foetal cartilage, adult cartilage) and the results are compared with the results obtained by staining with Alcian blue at controlled pH levels, with or without prior digestion with bovine testicular hyaloronidase, and the Scott method, utilizing Alcian blue at varying concentrations of MgCl2. It is concluded that chondroitinase ABC digest chondroitin-4 and -6 sulphate and to some extent also hyaluronic acid and dermatan sulphate, but not heparin and keratosulphate.

The micro-assay of the disaccharide isomers of chondroitin sulphate

Connective tissue extracts containing the 4- and 6-sulphated isomers of chondroitin sulphate can be measured at the microgram level (approximately 10 microgram) using colorimetric assays. The chondroitin sulphates are depolymerised to disaccharides using chondroitin ABC lyase (EC 4.2.2.4). The 4- and 6-sulphated disaccharides after treatment with acid periodate are determined using a thiobarbituric acid procedure. An alkaline borate p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde reaction is used to measure 6-sulphated disaccharide, the 4-sulphated disaccharide not forming a chromogen. Unsulphated disaccharide causes interference in both assays and if present is separated prior to assay using paper electrophoresis fractionation.

Isolation and characterization of the sulfated glycosaminoglycans of the vitreous body

Ester sulfate containing glycosaminoglycans comprising approx. 3% of the total glycosaminoglycan content, have been isolated from protease-digested bovine vitreous body by stepwise fractionation on AG-1X2(Cl-) and gel filtration on Bio-Gel P-300. Two heparan sulfate and two chondroitin-4-sulfate fractions were isolated in nearly pure form. The heparan sulfate fractions were undersulfated and contained the same relative proportions of N- and O-sulfate (1:2), although the total sulfate content differed by approx. 100%. No chondroitin-6-sulfate was present in the isolates, based on evidence obtained from chondroitin ABC lyase experiments.

Connective tissue synthesis by cultured scleroderma fibroblasts. II. Incorporation of 3h-glucosamine and synthesis of glycosaminoglycans

Fibroblasts from normal and scleroderma skin, grown tissue culture, were incubated with 3H-glucosamine for 24 hours. No definite trends could be established in 3H-glucosamin incorporation or glycosaminoglycan synthesis. Over 90% of the total 3H activity as well as the glycosaminoglycans synthesized were secreted into the medium. Characterization of glycosaminoglycans showed that in both the medium and cells, hyaluronic acid ins the major glycosaminoglycan in normal and scleroderma fibroblasts. In the medium, hyaluronic acid represented 87% of the total glycosaminoglycans; it was slightly decreased in the cells. Fibroblasts were compared from the upper and lower areas of the affected dermis and an uninvolved dermal area of the same scleroderma patients.

Molecular weight-dependent distribution of acidic glycosaminoglycans in human plasma

Acidic glycosaminolglycans (AGAG) in human plasma were studied by enzymatic and electrophoretic procedures after fractionation by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. Galactosaminoglycans were the predominant acidic glycosaminoglycans in the small molecular weight fraction, but glucosaminoglycans were predominant in the macromolecular weight fraction. The major constituents of plasma AGAG were estimated as udersulfated chondroitin sulfate isomers followed by a lesser amount of hyaluronic acid characterized by susceptibility to specific chondroitinases and streptomyces hyaluronidase. In addition, the presence of small amounts of heparan sulfate and oversulfated chondroitin sulfate in human plasma was indicated.

Biosynthesis of chondroitin sulphate in cartilage regenerated from perichondrium

In a rabbit's ear cartilage an experimental defect was lined with a perichondrial flap and in a rabbit's trachea a defect in two tracheal cartilages was reconstructed with a free autogenous graft of aural perichondrium. Outgrowth of new tissue, morphologically indistinguishable from cartilage was observed within 4 weeks. In cartilage defects not bridged by perichondrium, no regeneration of cartilage occurred. Inorganic 35SO4, administered in vivo, was incorporated into the newly formed tissue. The labelled product was isolated and identified as chondroitin sulphate. The results support the view that authentic cartilage may be regenerated from the perichondrium.

Constitutional heterogeneity of the glycosaminoglycans in articular cartilage proteoglycans

Proteoglycans were extracted from bovine articular cartilage with guanidine-HCl and fractionated in cesium chloride density gradients by equilibrium ultracentrifugation. The acidic glycosaminoglycan (AGAG) components were then determined enzymatically with chondroitinase-ABC and streptomyces hyaluronidase. Under associative and dissociative conditions, the distribution of the AGAG components was as follows: the ratio of 4-sulfated disaccharide units to total AGAG increased with decreasing density gradients whereas that of 6-sulfated disaccharide units to total AGAG increased with increasing density gradients. The ratio of disulfated disaccharide units to total AGAG increased somewhat with decreasing density gradients whereas that of non-sulfated disaccharide units tended to decrease. Although the cartilage proteoglycan macromolecules were heterogeneous, a certain regularity was observed with respect to the distribution of sulfate and the degree of sulfation in the chondroitin sulfate chains of the proteoglycans.

Glycosaminoglycans and glycoproteins associated with rat brain nuclei

The concentration, composition and sulfate labeling of glycosaminoglycans and glycoproteins have been studied in purified nuclei isolated in bulk from rat brain. The concentration of total glycosaminoglycans is 0.142 mumol hexosamine/100 mg protein, comprising 57% chondroitin 4-sulfate, 7% chondroitin 6-sulfate, 29% hyaluronic acid and 7% heparan sulfate. Control experiments demonstrated that less than 5% of the sulfated glycosaminoglycans associated with nuclei could be accounted for by the nonspecific adsorption of soluble acidic proteoglycans to basic nuclear proteins. Glycoprotein carbohydrate is present at a level of 206 mug/100 mg protein, and has an average composition of 30% N-acetylglucosamine, 29% mannose, 19% N-acetylneuraminic acid, 15% galactose, 4% N-acetylgalactosamine, and 3% fucose. Labeling studies also indicated the presence of ester sulfate residues on the glycoprotein oligosaccharides.

Morphologic and biologic characteristics of adenoid cystic carcinoma cells of the salivary gland

Adenoid cystic carcinoma cells cultivated in monolayer and sponge matrix culture, or implanted on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of embryonated eggs, were observed morphologically, and the glycosaminoglycan components in the tumor tissue were analyzed. This tumor tissue contained a large amount of glycosaminoglycans, composed of chondroitin 4- and 6-sulfate, heparan sulfate, hyaluronic acid, and a small amount of dermatan sulfate. In monolayer culture spindle cells proliferated vigorously as multilayer, and secreated mucinous material. In sponge matrix culture, the proliferating cells became embedded in the material produced by the cells themselves. A trace of fine fibers stained with orceine was observed in the intercellular material in culture. Histologic sections of the implants grown on CAM showed that the tumor cells arranged in various structures produced a large amount of mucinous material that spread into the stromal area without any contribution from the mesenchymal element. The morphologic and biologic characteristics of these tumor cells are quite similar to those of pleomorphic adenoma.

The release of an immobilized lipoprotein fraction from atherosclerotic lesions by incubation with plasmin

A large amount of plasma low density lipoprotein is present in human aortic intima, and this can be removed and measured by electrophoresis directly from the minced tissue into an antibody-containing gel. We now find that, in addition to this electrophoretically mobile lipoprotein, there is an immobilized lipoprotein fraction than can be released from lesions by incubation of the tissue sample with plasmin or other proteolytic enzymes after the mobile lipoprotein has been removed. The concentration of immobilized lipoprotein is highly correlated with the concentration of the residual cholesterol (not mobile on electrophoresis) that has accumulated in the tissue (r = 0.702; P less than 0.001). Thus, in normal intima and early gelatinous lesions it is about 15% of the concentration of mobile lipoprotein, whereas in the atheroma lipid layers of fibrous or gelatinous plaques it may be 2 or 3 times greater than the concentration of mobile lipoprotein. This suggests that immobilization of plasma lipoprotein is an intermediate step in the irreversible deposition of extracellular cholesterol in atherosclerotic lesions. Incubation with plasmin allowed maximum release of lipoprotein: plasmin = crude collagenase greater than trypsin greater than "pure" collagenase greater than chondroitinase ABC in order of their relative effectiveness. The concentration of immobilized lipoprotein was significantly correlated (r = 0.793; P less than 0.001) with the concentration in the tissue of fibrin or other insoluble derivatives of fibrinogen ("fibrin"). In aliquots of lesions incubated with varying amounts of plasmin for varying times there was a constant relation between release of lipoprotein and release of fibrin-degradation products. Together, these findings suggest that the lipoprotein is associated with insoluble "fibrin". This appears to be of considerable clinical interest, suggesting a synergism between lipoprotein and fibrinogen in the accumulation of lipid in lesions.

N-Acetylgalactosamine 4,6-bissulfate in rat urine. II. Occurrence in rat cartilage and blood

The intraperitoneal injection of inorganic [35S]sulfate to rat was followed by the rapid appearance in urine of a labeled compound which behaved as N-acetylgalactosamine 4,6-bissulfate on paper chromatography and paper electrophoresis and when treated with two sulfatases with a high degree of specificity toward the sulfate bonds at positions 4 and 6, respectively. Enzymatically-prepared N-acetylgalactosamine 4,6-[6-35S]bissulfate was injected intravenously into rats. Of the injected dose, 90% was excreted unchanged in the urine during the subsequent 12 h, suggesting that the urinary N-acetylgalactosamine 4,6-bissulfate may derive from blood as renal filtrate. Examination of the rats injected with inorganic [35S]sulfate revealed the presence of labeled N-acetylgalactosamine 4,6-bissulfate at significant levels in the blood and cartilage, but at much lower levels in the liver. The cartilage component was highest in its rate of 35S uptake, suggesting that the blood component may derive at least in some part from the cartilage. Exposure of surviving cartilage slices to inorganic [35S]sulfate, followed by extraction of the slices with hot 50% ethanol yielded a number of radioactive compounds, of which three were characterized as UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine-4,6-[35S]bissulfate, N-acetylgalactosamine-1-phosphate 4,6-[35S]bissulfate and N-acetylgalactosamine 4,6-[35S]bissulfate. By subjecting the prelabeled tissue to chase incubation, it was possible to show that the UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine-4,6-bissulfate in the tissue disappeared with an approximate half-life of 10 min with a concomitant appearance in the medium of N-acetylgalactosamine 4,6-bissulfate and its 1-phosphate ester. These results suggest the occurrence in cartilage of an enzymatic system which is responsible for rapid turnover of UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine-4,6-bissulfate and possibly required for the rapid secretion of N-acetylgalactosamine 4,6-bissulfate into extracellular field.

N-Acetylgalactosamine 4,6-bissulfate in rat urine. I. Isolation, identification and chemical synthesis

By starting with 4 1 of rat urine, it was possible to obtain a sulfate ester of hexosamine in crystalline form. A series of identification procedures including chemical analyses, enzymatic digestion, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy showed that this substance is 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose 4,6-bissulfate. The trivial name for this compound is N-acetylgalactosamine 4,6-bissulfate; Quantitation by isotopic techniques indicated the urine possessed an average concentration of 8 muM N-acetylgalactosamine 4,6-bissulfate. Further extension of these studies necessitated the chemical synthesis of N-acetylgalactosamine 4,6-bissulfate and related compounds to be used for references or as biological substrates. Direct sulfation of N-acetylgalactosamine was attempted first, and strong preference for attack on the primary hydroxyl group (position 6) was found for chlorosulfonic acid. Thus, the reaction with 2.2 molar equivalents of the sulfating agent gave N-acetylgalactosamine 6-sulfate and its derivatives bearing a second sulfate at either position 1 (minor) or position 3 (major). The lack of sulfation at position 4 could be attributed to steric effects of the sulfate group preferentially attached to position 6. Another experiment in which UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfate was used in place of the free sugar led to the formation of a bissulfated sugar-nucleotide which, on subsequent hydrolysis with mild acid, afforded N-acetylgalactosamine 4,6-bissulfate, the same compound as that obtained from rat urine.

Histochemical localization of estrogen induced sulfated glycoprotein in rabbit uterus

Histochemical localization of the estrogen-induced sulfated glycoproteins was made in the estrogen-treated rabbit uterus. Biochemical studies by a group of Endo et al, affirmed these particular glycoproteins were PAS-positive and metachromatic as stained with TB. No sign of digestion, however, has been detected in a series of tests with alpha-amylase, testicular hyaluronidase, streptomyces hyaluronidase, chondroitinase AC and chondroitinase ABC, and heparinase. The apical portions of the epithelial and glandular cells, obviously expanded by the estrogen treatment, display strong beta-metachromasia with TB (pH 4.0), saliva-resistant PAS-positive reactions, and also alcianophilia with AB (pH 2.5). These reactions are not reduced after the treatment with the enzymes above-mentioned. Meanwhile, in the stromal matrix, the same enzymes give an influence to diminish the reactions to various extent. Our results suggest that the estrogen-induced sulfated glycoprotein is definitely localized in the apical portions of the epithelial and glandular cells. The identity is emphasized between the substance that is elucidated in the histochemical sections and the sulfated glycoproteins that have been specified solely by means of biochemical assays.

The heterogeneity of dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate in rat liver and a shift in the glycosaminoglycan contents in carbon tetrachloride-damaged liver

The glycosaminoglycan of rat liver can be separated into five distinct fractions; a hyaluronic acid fraction, a heparan sulfate fraction with a molar ratio of sulfate to hexosamine (S/HexN) around 0.7, a heparan sulfate fraction with a S/HexN ratio around 1.4, a dermatan sulfate fraction with a S/HexN ratio near unity, and a dermatan sulfate fraction with a S/HexN ratio around 1.3. Enzymatic analysis of the two dermatan sulfate fractions indicates that they differ significantly in that the high sulfated fraction contains relatively more N-acetylgalactosamine 4,6-bissulfate units (about 26% of the total hexosamine). In experimental injury produced by carbon tetrachloride, the low sulfated fraction increases as much as 9-fold on a dry weight basis, bearing no linear relationship to the amount of the high sulfated fraction which increases only 2-fold. A significant shift is also observed in the levels of the two heparan sulfate fractions. In this case, however, the high sulfated fraction shows a much more pronounced increase than does the low sulfated fraction. On the basis of these observations, it is suggested that for each of the dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate classes there are at least two pools, distinguished by sulfation degree and perhaps by turnover rate and physiological function.

Identification of the mucopolysaccharides in catecholamine-containing subcellular particel fractions from various rat, cat and ox tissues

Subcellular fractions containing adrenergic vesicles were obtained from bovine adrenal medulla and splenic nerve, rat and cat heart, and rat spleen. The fractions were washed free from lipids, digested with papain and the mucopolysaccharides (MPSs) then precipitated from the supernatant with ethanolic potassium acetate. The mpsswere identified by several different methods--microelectrophoresis on cellulose acetate in various media, cellulose column chromatography using elution solvents of increasing ionic strength, and treatment with specific enzymes followed by electrophoresis or column chromatography. The MPS precipitate from all the sources investigated contained dermatan sulphate or a dermatan sulphate-chondroitin sulphate hybrid. in addition, the precipitate from rat spleen was found to contain chondroitin sulphate. Heparan sulphate was found in the precipitates from rat heart and spleen and hyaluronic acid in that from bovine splenic nerve. The finding of sulphomucopolysaccharides in the adrenergic vesicles, probably in a complex with protein, raises the question of the functional significance of such complexes. They might, by analogy with the ion-exchange function of the heparin-protein complex in mast cell granules, play a role in the storage and release of the amines.

Micromethod for fractionation of acid mucopolysaccharides

A new micromethod for fractionation of acid mucopolysaccharides based upon the use of different concentrations of HC1 to separate the complex of CPC with non-sulphated, monosulphated and polysulphated acid mucopolysaccharides (glycosaminoglycans) is presented. The method utilizes the different binding of the anionic macromolecules to the cationic compound cetyl pyridinium chloride. The method is simple and reproducible. The use of HC1 as eluent allows the exclusion of some steps required when salts are used for elution. Hexuronic acids are determined on the eluents.

Glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis in arterial wall. Hexosaminyltransferase and glucuronyltransferase in cell membranes of aortic media-intima

Hexosaminyltransferase and glucuronyltransferase are well known for their role in the biosynthesis of proteoglycans. These two enzymes are characterized in rough and smooth membranes, obtained following subcellular fractionation of aortic media-intima. They require the presence of Mn2+ or Mg2+ for activity. The optimum concentration for these two cations is 5 mM. The optimum pH for hexosaminyltransferase and glucuronyltransferase is approximately 6.8 in Tris buffer, and their optimum temperature is 30 degrees C. Hexosaminyltransferase has an apparent Km of 0.27 nM. Glucuronyltransferase has an apparent Km of 0.21 nM. Uptake of labeled sugars by endogenous proteoglycans is inhibited by puromycin. Hexosaminyltransferase and glucuronyltransferase are present in both rough and smooth submicrosomal fractions. The different endogenous glycosaminoglycans are labeled during our incubation experiments. The greatest incorporation is noted for hyaluronic acid and heparan sulfate; the least is seen for chondroitin sulfate. The results obtained in vitro for incorporation of labeled precursors into endogenous proteoglycans are consistent with those observed during the study in vivo of the turnover of these macromolecules.

Acid mucopolysaccharides in hair papillae of the stump-tailed macaque (Macaca speciosa)

Acid mucopolysaccharides in dermal papillae of hair follicles from both bald and on-bald regions of the scalp of stump-tailed macaques were studies histochemically. Alcian Blue, Azure A and Periodic acid Schiff methods were used for staining mucopolysaccharides, and Bromphenol Blue for staining basic proteins. In an attempt to identify various polyanions, staining was carried out with Alcian Blue containing different concentrations of electrolytes. Methylation, saponification, mild acid hydrolysis and digestion with streptomyces or testicular hyaluronidase, chondroitinase ABC, or sialidase, were also used. The results indicate that chondroitin sulphate B is present in the papillae of terminal hair follicles in early and intermediate anagen, and degraded chondroitin sulphates are present in the papillae of vellus and terminal hair follicles in late anagen.

Polydisperse distribution of acidic glycosaminoglycans in bovine kidney tissue

Distribution of acidic glycosaminoglycans in bovine kidneys was investigated after fractionation by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The fractionated acidic glycosaminoglycans were characterized by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membranes before and after specific enzyme digestion. Chondroitinases were used to detect the chondroitin sulfate isomers by demonstration of the disaccharide subunits and to distinguish the other acidic glycosaminoglycans by their resistance to the enzymes. The polydispersity of heparan sulfates, which accounted for two fifths of the total kidney glycosaminoglycans, was demonstrated with respect to the degree of sulfation and molecular weight difference. Hyaluronic acid accounted for approximately one fourth of the total glycosaminoglycans and was distributed in fractions of relatively higher molecular weight. Chondroitin sulfate isomers contained in decreasing amounts the disaccharide components of dermatan sulfate and chondroitin 4- and 6-sulfates.

Pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland. With special reference to histochemical and electron microscopic studies and biochemical analysis of glycosaminoglycans in vivo and in vitro

Pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland is classified into two types based on the morphology of the cells and biochemical analysis of glycosaminoglycans. Type 1: the tumors consisted mainly of spindle cells, producing a large amount of mucinous material, and contained not only chondroitin 4- and 6-sulfate and hyaluronic acid but also heparan sulfate. When the tumors of this type were dissociated and cultivated, spindle cells proliferated vigorously as mulitlayer and secreted mucinous substance into the intercellular space. The cells looked like non-epithelial cells in a conventional culture bottle, but showed an epithelial-like arrangement when they were cultivated in sponge matrix or inoculated subcutaneously into mice. Fine fibres stained with orceine or resorcin-fuchsin were observed in the intercellular material both in resected tissue and in culture. Type 2: the tumors consisted mainly of ductal cells, having no mucinous area, and contained little heparan sulfate. When the tumors were cultivated, the growth of epithelial-like polygonal cells was observed in monotonous pattern, producing scanty intercellular substance, and proliferating, as monolayer, much less rapidly than the cells of Type 1.

Glycosaminoglycans and acidic glycoproteins in rabbit uterus under estrogenic conditions

Uterine slices obtained from the estrogen-treated rabbits were digested with pronase. Glycosaminoglycans and acidic glycopeptides were then isolated by Dowex 1 column chromatography and preparative electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membrane (Separax), in succession. Each subfraction thus obtained was identified by the mobility on Separax electrophoresis and the digestibility with mucopolysaccharidases (Streptomyces hyaluronidase, testicular hyaluronidase, chondroitinase AC, chondroitinase ABC and heparinase). The resulting data showed that each complex saccharide (hyaluronic acid, heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate A, chondroitin sulfate C, dermatan sulfate, sulfated glycopeptide and sialoglycopeptide) was separated into 2-5 fractions, indicating charge and/or molecular heterogeneity of each complex saccharide.