Sulfated Mucopolysaccharides Research Articles

Heparin: A potent inhibitor of ovarian luteinizing hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase

Sulfated mucopolysaccharides, such as heparin, heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfates and dermatan sulfate, have been shown to be normal constituents of animal tissues and body fluids. Their biological functions are not yet known with certainty. A role as lubricants in the living organism was ascribed to these sulfated mucopolysaccharides due to their highly viscous and elastic properties in solution. Heparin displays anticoagulant and anti-lipaemic properties [ 11. Direct effects on various enzymes have been described for polyelectrolytes including heparin and other sulfated glycosaminoglycans [2,3]. Wolff and Cook [4] have recently described the effects of polycations (RNAase A, spermin, spermidine and polylysine) and of polyanions (Dextran sulfate, Suramin and polyaspartic acid) on bovine thyroid-stimulatinghormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase. Hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfuric acid were shown to be constituents of the follicular fluid in the bovine ovary [5] . We have recently shown that heparinlike substances as well as chondroitin+ulfate, chondroitin-6-sulfate and dermatan sulfate are synthesized and accumulate in the rat ovary [6,7]. In searching for a functional role for ovarian glycosaminoglycans we examined the possibility that these substances may modulate the activity of the LH-stimulated adenylate cyclase in the follicle, and thus participate

Determination of heparin and related sulfated mucopolysaccharides.

Determination of heparin and related sulfated mucopolysaccharides.

Differentiation of mucopolysaccharidoses by analyses of the excreted sulfated mucopolysaccharides

Analyses of sulfated mucopolysaccharides excreted by patients with Hunter, Hurler, Scheie, Sanfilippo A and Sanfilippo B syndromes are reported. Three distinct methods, namely agarose gel electrophoresis, enzymatic degradation and molecular weight determination, were used in an attempt to differentiate the mucopolysaccharidoses by analysis of the urinary mucopolysaccharides. It is shown that by the combination of these methods it is possible to differentiate most of the syndromes and also to demonstrate that some patients with the same syndrome excrete different types of sulfated mucopolysaccharides.

Heparin and sulfated mucopolysaccharides--a micro system for quantitative differentiation and determination.

Heparin (Hep), hyaluronic acid, chondroitins (sulfate) A, B, and C, and heparins (sulfate) A, B, C, and D were subjected to microelectrophoresis in barbital-agarose gel, fixed with cetylpyridinium chloride and stained with toluidine blue. The optical densities of the resulting bands were compared with optical densities obtained upon reaction with azure A in aqueous solution and with the carbazole reagent. A linear relation was obtained between optical density and concentration of purified sulfated mucopolysaccharide (SMP). Less than 1 microgram of Hep and 2 microgram of other SMPs are required for measurement by electrophoresis, while about 30 microgram of each is required with the carbazole reagent. The optical density of a mixture of SMPs was equal to the sum of the densities for the individual SMPs upon microelectrophoresis. It was demonstrated that the individual SMPs in mixtures were distinguishabed by reaction with specific enzymes and by changes in migration in agarose with barbital, phthalate, ethylenediamine, or propanediamine buffers, permitting ready demonstration and quantitation of various SMP species. Examples are shown of the application of the procedure to measure the total SMPs and individual SMPs in tissue extracts. The method is sensitive, reproducible, flexible, and measures quantities 1/30th of those measured colorimetrically, yet is relatively unaffected by protein, carbohydrate, or inorganic electrolytes.

Interactions of sulfated mucopolysaccharides with lectins: Application to the separation of mucopolysaccharide mixtures

The interaction of sulfated mucopolysaccharides and lectins has been studied by determining the amount of precipitate formed when mucopolysaccharides are added to a solution of concanavalin A or a partially purified lectin preparation from red kidney bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris). The amount of insoluble complex obtained when a given mucopolysaccharide is added to a solution of partially purified red kidney bean preparation is pH dependent. The reaction of concanavalin A and heparin has also been studied by adding increasing amounts of mucopolysaccharide to a fixed amount of lectin. This interaction results in the development of a precipitin-like curve and leads to the isolation of a heparin fraction which has been found to be more reactive with respect to formation of a precipitate than the original heparin preparation. Monosaccharides such as α-methyl- d-mannopyranoside and N-acetyl- d-glucosamine which are known to bind specifically to the lectin, greatly inhibit precipitate formation. The interactions between sulfated mucopolysaccharides and lectins have been used to isolate various sulfated mucopolysaccharides.

Sulphated acid mucopolysaccharides in SV40-transformed human cells from normal and mucopolysaccharidosis patients

Lines of fibroblasts have been established from normal individuals and from patients diagnosed as suffering from one of the mucopolysaccharidoses or mucopolysaccharide-storage diseases. Transformation of these lines with SV40 virus has been found to reduce their capacity to secrete sulphated mucopolysaccharides into the growth medium. No differences were detected between the individual cell types in their secretory capacity, either before or after viral transformation. A direct relationship was found to exist between the rate of acid mucopolysaccharide production and cell-doubling time. The level of sulphated mucopolysaccharide detected within the cell was also reduced for all cell types after transformation by SV40. Transformed fibroblasts from mucopolysaccharidosis patients, however, showed a relatively greater reduction in storage capacity than those derived from normal individuals.

Intracellular cationic counterion composition of an acid mucopolysaccharide

EVEN though much is known about biopolymer synthesis and secretion, little or nothing is known about the exact identity of counterions bound to charged biopolymers inside cells. This may be very important since bound ions can influence polymer size and shape and so may hold answers to questions about polymer packaging in cells. In this paper we demonstrate how X-ray microprobe analysis of frozen mucus cells, from a marine snail, has enabled us to show that a sulphated mucopolysaccharide only binds potassium inside the cell but releases this to bind magnesium and calcium after secretion. This is of particular interest because, of all the common physiological cations, only potassium precipitates this mucopolysaccharide in vitro. The implication is that potassium could cause the polymer to adopt a more compact form within the cell.

Changes in sulfated mucopolysaccharide composition of mammalian tissues during growth and in cancer tissues

The distribution of sulfated mucopolysaccharides in different tissues during growth and in cancer tissues is reported. It is shown that most of the tissues of 1 day-old rats and rabbits contain chondroitin sulfate A/C, chonroitin sulfate B and heparan sulfate in about the same proportions, whereas in adult animals chondroitin sulfate A/C decreases in concentration or disappears. Changes in the relative proportions of chondroitin sulfate B and heparan sulfate were also observed in most of the tissues. In rats, these changes occur in the first 25 days of extrauterine development. A great increase of chondoitin sulfate A/C was observed in human tumors of different origins when compared with the normal adjacent tissues. Changes in the relative proportions of chondroitin sulfate B and heparan sulfate were also observed in most of the tumors analysed. The possible role of chondroitin sulfate A/C in cell division is discussed in view of the present findings.

Tissue specific distribution of sulfated mucopolysaccharides in mammals

A comparative study on the distribution of sulfated mucopolysaccharides in several tissues of five mammalian species is reported. It is shown that each tissue has a characteristic composition differing from each other regarding the relative amount, type and molecular size of chondroitin sulfate A/C, chondroitin sulfate B and heparan sulfate. It is also shown that the same tissue from different mammals has the same types and proportions of sulfated mucopolysaccharides, but with different molecular weights. Exception to this rule was observed for the distribution of heparin which was present only in a few tissues of the five mammals studied. The possible involvement of the sulfated mucopolysaccharides in cell recognition and/or adhesiveness is discussed in view of this characteristic distribution.

Distribution of sulfated mucopolysaccharides in invertebrates.

The sulfated mucopolysaccharide composition of 22 species of invertebrates belonging to the phyla Arthropoda, Mollusca, Annelida, Tunicata, Echinodermata, Coelenterata, and Porifera was analyzed. It is shown that all the species contain variable amounts of one or more types of sulfated mocopolysaccharides, most of which similar to the ones found in vertebrates. It is shown also that each species has a characteristic composition, differing from each other regarding the relative amount and type of chondroitin sulfates A, B, and C, heparitin sulfate, and heparin. The possible biological role of the sulfated mucopolysaccharides in cell recognition or aggregation or both is discussed in view of the present findings.

Mucopolysaccharidosis III A (Sanfilippo Disease Type A). Histochemical, Electron Microscopical and Biochemical Findings

This is a report of two brothers iwth mucopolysaccharidosis. The 8- and 10-year-old boys presented the characteristic clinical symptoms of the syndrome in their entirety. Both had a highly increased excretion of heparan sulfate in urine. The elder boy died and was autopsied and diagnosed as having Sanfilippo disease Typ A by a drastic reduction of heparan sulfate sulfamidase activity in organ extracts. Histochemically, highly water-soluble, sulfate acid mucopolysaccharides were demonstrated in liver, spleen, and cerebrum of the deceased child. Chemical analyses revealed a 12-fold increase of sulfated mucopolysaccharide in the patients liver and a 4.5-fold increase in the cerebrum when compared with normal controls. The sulfated polysaccharide consisted mainly of heparan sulfate, which was of low molecular size, heterogeneous in charge, and rich in its sulfamino hexose content. In addition, the gangliocytes of cerebrum and cerebellum had accumulated glycolipids. Electron microscopically the storage cells were overloaded with lysosomal residual bodies. The mitral valve was also involved in the storage process, which is a rare manifestation of the Sanfilippo syndrome. Acid mucopolysaccharides were deposited intracellularly as well as extracellularly in the mitral valve tissue. Polarisation microscopically there was found a change from normally positive to negative birefringence in the connective tissue ground substance of the mitral valve when containing stored mucopolysaccharides.

Cell recognition and adhesiveness: A possible biological role for the sulfated mucopolysaccharides

The sulfated mucopolysaccharide composition of different neonate, adult and tumoral tissues is reported. It is shown that each tissue has a characteristic composition with respect to the relative amount, type and molecular size of chondroitin sulfate A C , chondroitin sulfate B and heparitin sulfate. Neonate and tumor tissues contain large amounts of chondrotin sulfate A C which is nearly absent in most adult and normal tissues respectively. Based on these and other results a possible role for the sulfated mucopolysaccharides in cell recognition and adhesiveness is proposed.

Myelinogenesis in optic nerve. A morphological, autoradiographic, and biochemical analysis.

Morphological, autoradiographic, and biochemical methods were used to study the time of appearance, distribution, and nature of sulfated constituents in the developing rat optic nerve. Electron microscope studies showed that myelination begins (6 days postnatal) shortly after the appearance of oligodendroglia (5 days postnatal). Over the ensuing 3 wk, myelination increased rapidly. During the 1st postnatal wk, mucopolysaccharides and glycoproteins were labeled with 35S and autoradiographs showed grains over arachnoidal cells, astroglia, and the glia limitans. These results indicated that astroglia synthesize sulfated mucopolysaccharides of the glia limitans. After the onset of myelination, however, the major portion of [35S]sulfate was incorporated into sulfatide. Autoradiographs showed a shift of radioactive grains from astroglia and arachnoidal cells to myelin, indicating that actively myelinating oligodendroglia incorporate [35S]sulfate into myelin sulfatide; there was a concomitant increase in the activity of cerebroside sulfotransferase. In addition, the increasing amounts of proteolipid protein and myelin basic protein corresponded with the morphological appearance of myelin. These results point to a strict correlation between the structural and biochemical changes occurring during myelination. This system provides a useful model for studies designed to evaluate the effects of various perturbations on the process of myelination.

Electron microscope study of the digestive system of Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)

The fine structure of esophagus, stomach and intestinal epithelial cells of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis have been examined. Three types of mucosal cells secreting neutral, acid and sulfated mucopolysaccharides have been found in the esophagus. The modes of origin of different types of mucous granules are described. Storage and zymogen cells have been identified in the stomach epithelium. Storage cells are adapted for intracellular digestion and synthesis of nutritive substance. Zymogen cells are adapted for enzyme synthesis. The columnar cells occur in the intestinal epithelium; they are adapted for nutrient absorption and lipid storage. Digestion in different parts of the digestive tract is considered in context with the ultrastructural and histochemical data obtained. Some problems concerning the relation between intracellular and extracellular digestion are discussed.

Amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma

Amyloidosis is a rare, fatal disease caused by deposition of a sulfated mucopolysaccharide in various tissues and organs. Seven to ten per cent of patients with multiple myeloma, a disease of abnormal myeloid cells, have associated amyloidosis. A case of amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma is described and a differential diagnosis for oral amyloidosis is presented to familiarize the practitioner with this entity.

Susceptibility to experimental atherosclerosis: Relation to mast cells and heparin

Fifteen chicken tissues were examined for mast cells. Numerous mast cells were found in peritoneum and spleen. The sulfated mucopolysaccharides extracted from these two tissues, corresponding in amount to that in mast cells, were found to be dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and heparitin sulfate but no evidence of heparin. We have shown a similar situation occurs in the rabbit which is also highly susceptible to the production of atherosclerosis by diet. These observations provide further evidence of a role for heparin and mast cells in limiting atherogenesis.

Influence of adjuvant arthritis on connective-tissue metabolism.

In rats with adjuvant arthritis, an analysis was made of the metabolism of sulfated proteoglycans, with particular attention to the dorsal skin and the extremities. Alterations were demonstrated in all the tissues examined. In the uninflamed dorsal skin, the uptake of exogenous sulfate was diminished. By contrast, in both hind limbs, at the injected and the non-injected site, the turnover of sulfated mucopolysaccharides was increased, above all in ligament and cartilage; the calcium content of the bone tissue of both hind legs was, however, not affected by the disease.

Characteristic distribution of sulfated mucopolysaccharides in different tissues and in their respective mitochondria

The distribution of sulfated mucopolysaccharides in different rat tissues and in their respective mitochondria is reported. It is shown that each tissue has a characteristic composition, differing from each other regarding the relative amount, type and molecular size of chondroitin sulfate A C , chondroitin sulfate B, and heparitin sulfate. It is also shown that the mucopolysaccharide composition of the mitochondria is similar to the composition of the tissue of origin. The possible biological functions of these compounds are discussed in view of this characteristic distribution.

Biosynthesis of acid mucopolysaccharides by the surviving new born rat skin: II. — Specific labelling of individual monosaccharides from [U 14C]-glucose. Metabolic origin of l-iduronic acid

1)Individual monosaccharides (uronic acids and aminosugars) have been purified following specific hydrolysis of the mucopolysaccharides from new born rat skin (hyaluronic acid, heparin + heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate A, B and C), after incubation with [U14C]-glucose under various conditions and for varying incubation periods. The yields and the specificity of the methods used for hydrolysis are discussed. 2) Monosaccharides from hyaluronic acid and the sulfated mucopolysaccharide fraction are labelled at an approximately equal rate. In addition, high rates of labelling of glucosamine isolated from the sulfated fractions confirms the preferential labelling of (heparin + heparan sulfate) demonstrated with the sulfated polymers. 3) In all fractions, aminosugars are considerably less labelled than the corresponding uronic acids, which suggests the existence of endogeneous diluting precursor pools for the former monosaccharides. 4) No drift of radioactivity from D-glucuronate to L-iduronate could be demonstrated in sulfated mucopolysaccharides after inhibition of their biosynthesis by puromycin or diluting the labelled precursor pools. Hence it has not been possible to substantiate on the surviving tissue the C5 epimerization at the polymer level, as previously demonstrated by other authors with subcellular fractions of various origin.

The interaction of leukocytes and their hydrolases with bacteria in vitro and in vivo: The modification of the bactericidal and bacteriolytic reactions by cationic and anionic macromolecular substances and by anti-inflammatory agents

Acid hydrolases from extracts of human blood leucocytes lyse Staph.aureus, Staph.albus and Strep.faecalis in vitro. The leucocyte enzymes can be substituted by a lytic mixture which contains crude trypsin, lysolecithin, phospholipase C and lysozyme, which lyse other bacterial species, e.g. E.coli and Listeria which are resistant to leucocyte enzymes. Bacteriolysis by the lytic agents is strongly inhibited by the anionic polyelectrolytes, heparin, chondroitin sulphate, DNA, dextran sulphate and other sulphated mucopolysaccharides, by the cationic materials, histone, protamine sulphate, leucocyte cationic proteins and polylysine. Other strong inhibitors are trypsan blue and congo red, the phospholipids phosphatidyl serine and ethanolamine, gold thiomalate, extracts of coffee and tea and the anti-inflammatory agents, ultracorten-H, and ultracortenol. Bacteriolysis is also strongly inhibited by normal human serum and by synovial fluids from patients with a variety of joint diseases. The inhibitors in these body fluids are associated with the globulin fractions. Since mixtures of anionic and cationic polyelectrolytes, at equimolar concentrations, failed to inhibit bacteriolysis by leucocyte enzymes, it is postulated that a delicate balance between positively and negatively charged inhibitors control the degradation of cell wall components of bacteria in inflamed areas. Such bacterial components, induce 'storage type' granulomas. The possible role played by polyelectrolytes in the control of the inflammatory process induced by leucocyte hydrolases will be discussed.