Analysis Note

Ratio of β-GlcA-(1→3)-GalNAc-6-sulfate to β-GlcA-(1→3)-GalNAc-4-sulfate is determined by HPLC after enzymatic degradation.

Application

Chondroitin appears to play a regulatory role for chondrocytes, neural cells, and some tumor cells. Chondroitin sulfate B is used to study ß peptide (1-42) cytotoxicity.

Chondroitin sulfate is used in a wide variety of areas of research such as bioengineering. Chondroitin sulfate may be used as a biomaterial copolymer or surface derivatization reagent in the development of drug delivery vehicles, tissue engineering devices and bioscaffolds. Chondroitin sulfate may be used for the development of biocompatible structures such as hydrogels, sponges, biofilms, microspheres and micelles.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Chondroitin, a glucosaminoglycan (GAG), is a natural polymer of β-glucuronic acid-(1→ 3)N-acetyl-β-galactosamine [β-GlcA-(1→3)-GalNAc-(1→4)]. Sulfation may occur at the 6-position and/or 4-position of the galactosamine moiety, with the potential of any individual disaccharide unit to be 6-sulfated, 4-sulfated, 4,6-disulfated, or unsulfated.

As a large, negatively charged, hydrophilic molecule that is too inflexible to fold into a compact globular structure, chondroitin sulfate molecules form porous hydrated gels, providing mechanical support to tissue and allowing rapid diffusion of water-soluble molecules and migration of cells.

Caution

Store this product at 2-8°C.

Components

Chondroitin is an acidic mucopolysaccharide found in cartilage, skin, cornea, and umbilical cord. It is composed of alternating N-acetylgalactosamine, D-glucuronic acid, and sulfate residues in equimolar quantities that can be sulfated on either of its subunits. Sulfation can occur at the 6 and/or 4-position of the galactosamine moiety, with potential for any individual disaccharide unit to be 6-sulfated, 4-sulfated, 4,6-disulfated, or unsulfated.

General description

Chondroitin, a glucosaminoglycan (GAG), is a polysaccharide chain of alternating units of N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) and glucuronic acid (GlcA) that can be sulfated on the either or both GalNAc and GlcA units. Chondroitin and its sulfates are frequently attached to proteins to form proteoglycans.

Preparation Note

This product is soluble in water at 100 mg/mL.