Structure of Hyaluronan in Solution

The additional hydrodynamic studies of the solutions of hyaluronan [9-11] and particularly viscosity measurements conducted for diluted solutions show that in the aqueous salt solutions the macromolecule accepts the structure of the statistical semi-rigid coil and this consists of the helix-like bands and the band rings of helical structure [14]. By forming a more or less rigid coil, the molecule binds a large amount of water and creates quite large domains of tertiary structure. Because of the electrostatic repulsion between the negatively 

The most extended chains, fibres and networks can be formed in the narrow intercellular space, but free ring-like and random coil forms could be found in liquid connective tissues. Consequently, the structure of hyaluronan in vivo should be viewed as a product of conformational ensembles and a result of the impact of local environment [8]. 

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