Chondroitin sulfates functions

Metabolic Functions. Manganese is essential for normal body stmcture, reproduction, normal functioning of the central nervous system, and activation of numerous enzymes (126). Synthesis of the mucopolysaccharide chondroitin sulfate involves a series of reactions where manganese is required in at least five steps (127). These reactions are responsible for formation of polysaccharides and linkage between the polysaccharide and proteins that form... 

Chondroitin sulfates (CS) are ubiquitous components of extracellular matrices of all connective tissues such as the artery and tendon and exhibit a variety of biological functions. They are linear copolymers made up of dimeric units composed of glucuronic acid and N-acetyl galactosamine. The first biological investigation... 

Such enzymatic catalyzed polycondensations have allowed the synthesis of a number of natural polysaccharides, but has also allowed the production of nonnatural polysaccharides such as cellulose-xylan hybrids and functionalized hyaluronan, chondroitin sulfate, and chondroitin. Such work illustrates the ever-narrowing bridge between natural and synthetic polymers and polymer syntheses. 

Zhuo L, Salustri A, Kimata K. A physiological function of serum proteoglycan bikunin The chondroitin sulfate moiety plays a central role. Glycoconj J 2002 19 241-247. 

Volume of Chondroitin Sulfate in Solution One critical function of chondroitin sulfate is to act as a lubricant in skeletal joints by creating a gel-like medium that is resilient to friction and shock. This function seems to be related to a distinctive property of chondroitin sulfate the volume occupied by the molecule is much greater in solution than in the dehydrated solid. Why is the volume so much larger in solution ... 

Figure 9.14 Proteoglycan aggregate found in cartilage. C and N are C and N termini of the core protein. Long wavy lines represent chondroitin sulfate, whereas the short lines represent keratan sulfate. All are linkied to the core protein via the O-serine linkage, except for a few oligosaccharide chains near the N terminus of the core protein. LP is link protein, and HA is hyaluronic acid. (Reproduced by permission from Hascall V. Introduction. Functions of the Proteoglycans, Ciba Foundation Symposium 124. New York Wiley Sons, 1986, p. 2.)...

It comes as no great surprise that trace elements may affect the growth and development of bone. Trace element deficiences profoundly alter hone metabolism in animals either directly or indirectly (3). The absence of a trace element in the diet can lead to inefficient functioning of a specific enzyme or enzymes that require the transition element as a cofactor. An example of this is the role of Cu and iron (Fe) in the cross-linking of collagen and elastins (4-9). The participation of Mn in the biosynthesis of mucopolysaccharides (10-12) is another example. Zn deficiency causes a reduction in osteoblastic activity, collagen and chondroitin sulfate synthesis and alkaline phosphatase activity (13-16). 

Figure 5.5.1. A scatter plot of the intensity of ion with m/z =125 as a function of ion with m/z = 43 for (a) chitin, (b) chondroitin sulfate, (c) chitosan, (d) capsular polysaccharide from Neiseria meningitidis [47], (e) teichuronic acid from Bacillus subtilis [47], (f) carrageenan, (g) alginic acid, (h) amylose, (i) agarose.

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