Structures, and Functions of Glycosaminoglycans

Glycosaminoglycan (and range of molecular weight) Amino Sugar Uronic Acid Type of Sulfate Linkage (extent of sulfation is variable) Tissue Distribution 

Hyaluronate (4 to 80x10 ) D-Glucosamine D-Glucuronate None Connective tissues, cartilage, synovial uid, vitreous humor, umbilical cord 

Chondroitin sulfate (5,000 to 50,000) D-Galactosamine D-Glucuronate 4-0- and/or 6-0-sulfate on galactosamine Cartilage, bone, skin, cornea, blood vessel walls 

Dermatan sulfate (15,000 to 40,000) D-Galactosamine L-Iduronate, D-Glucuronate 4-0-sulfate on galactosamine 2-0-sulfate on iduronate Skin, heart valve, tendon, blood vessel walls 

Keratan sulfate (4,000 to 19,000) D-Glucosamine None (but contains D-Galactose) 6-0-sulfate on both carbohydrate residues Cartilage, cornea, intervertebral disks 

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