CARBOHYDRATE-PROTEIN LINKAGE REGION OF CHONDROITIN 6-SULFATE

The structure of the chondroitin 6-sulfate-protein linkage region has been investigated. Chondroitin 6-sulfate was prepared from umbilical cord by digestion with papain followed by fractionation with cetylpyridinium chloride and ethanol. Four oligosaccharides derived from the linkage region were isolated after acid hydrolysis of the polysaccharide and characterized as: (1) 3-O-β-D-glucuronosyl-D-galactose; (2) 3-O-β-D-galactosyl-D-galactose; (3) 4-O-β-D-galactosyl-D-xylose; and (4) 3-O-β-D-galactosyl-4-O-β-D-galactosyl-D-xylose. It is concluded that the carbohydrate sequence in the chondroitin 6-sulfate-protein linkage is identical to that previously found for chondroitin 4-sulfate and heparin. © 1968.