Mucopolysaccharides nomenclature

In most connective tissues of animals, the acidic mucopolysaccharides are complexed with protein or peptide residues. Little is known about the structure of these complexes, and the term mucopolysaccharide is therefore best applied only to the pure polysaccharide. When the latter is complexed with protein, it has been suggested (J5) that a noncommittal term such as hyaluronic acid-protein complex should be used. Many of the names originally assigned to the acidic mucopolysaccharides have since been revised (J5) in an effort to systematize the nomenclature. The more systematic names proposed by Jeanloz (J5) will generally be used throughout this review, but whenever possible synonymic names have been given. 

The last review of mucopolysaccharides appeared in Advances in Clinical Chemistry in 1964. Since then, the various aspects of this field have been greatly developed, and Kennedy now presents a substantial and most comprehensive review of the chemical and biochemical aspects of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans, a nomenclature which he considers superior to the older terms. Of particular interest is his very extensive account of the roles of these compounds in health and disease. 

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