Glycosaminoglycans (GAGS)

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGS) other name

• mucopolysaccharides

What are GAGS

• They are long unbranched polysaccharides

• Repeating disaccharide unit

• Amino sugar e.g: N acetylglucosamine

• Uronic sugar e.g. glucuronic acid

Proteoglycans makeup

• Core Protein + Glycosaminoglycan (GAG)

Sulphated GAG examples

• Dermatan sulphate

• Heparin sulphate

• Keratan sulphate

• Chondroitin sulphate

Suphated GAGS bind to…

proteins to form proteoglycans (PGs)

Non-Sulphated GAG example

• Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid does…

• not bind directly to protein backbone but is joined to various PGs

The glycosaminoglycan Hyaluronic acid

• is NOT sulphated or covalently bound to a core protein

• Highly polar and attracts water

The Glycosaminoglycans…

• trap water to make the ground substance more jelly-like

Hyaluronic Acid

• Viscous slippery substance binds cells together, lubricates joints and maintains shape of eyeball

Hyaluronidase

• produced by white blood cells, sperm and some

  bacteria

• This makes ground substance more liquid so they

  can move more easily in it or makes access to the

  egg easier for sperm

Chondroitin Sulphate

• support and provide the adhesive

  features of cartilage, bone, skin, blood vessels

Keratan Sulphate

• found in bone, cartilage, cornea of the eye

Dermatan Sulphate

• found in skin, tendons, blood vessels, heart valves