Types of Glycosaminoglycan

Glycosaminoglycan, once known as mucopolysaccharide, amino polysaccharide, and acid polysaccharide, is a type of heteropolysaccharide. Glycosaminoglycans, as part of proteoglycans, are widely found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrate tissues. Common glycosaminoglycans are hyaluronic acid (HA), chondroitin sulfate (CS), somatostatin sulfate (DS), keratostatin sulfate (Kep-S) and heparin (Hep). Studies have shown that glycosaminoglycans have an anticoagulant effect, preventing thrombosis, as well as special immunosuppressive effects, and are used in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia, and low back pain.

Fig.1 Structure of glycosaminoglycans. (CD BioGlyco)

Glycosaminoglycan Analysis Service at CD BioGlyco

At CD BioGlyco, we have a comprehensive grasp of the qualitative and quantitative Analysis of Polysaccharides. We offer multifaceted glycosaminoglycan analysis services.

• Purity and molecular weight analysis
  Paper chromatography (PC) and electrophoresis are the most common and effective methods for testing the purity of glycosaminoglycans. We provide electrophoresis techniques such as but not limited to agarose gel electrophoresis, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, and so on. In addition, we offer gel exclusion chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and ultracentrifugation to analyze the molecular weight and purity of glycosaminoglycans.
• Total sugar content analysis
  We provide the following analytical methods for sugar content: histochemistry, chromatography, and Dubois method.
• Structure analysis
  For the structure of glycosaminoglycans, we offer methylation, infrared (IR), multi-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and ultraviolet spectrum (UV).
• Monosaccharide composition analysis
  PC, thin layer chromatography (PLC), gas chromatography (GC), HPLC, and mass spectrometry (MS) are used to determine the composition of glycosaminoglycans. We offer different analytical methods for different clients' requirements.

Fig.2 Flow of glycosaminoglycan analysis. (CD BioGlyco)

Publication

Paper Title: Analysis of the glycosaminoglycan chains of proteoglycans

Technology: MS

Journal: Journal of Histochemistry & Cytochemistry

Published: 2020

Results: MS plays a leading role in glycomics. MS is capable of analyzing various compositional information of polysaccharide chains, including the sequence of glycosaminoglycan chains and the composition of monosaccharides. The development of MS techniques, especially the emergence of Fourier transform MS (FTMS) which provides high spectral resolution and high mass accuracy, has facilitated the application of top-down MS strategies. The mass spectra of a glycosaminoglycan chain are shown in the figure below, and the composition of the polysaccharide was obtained from the data in the figure.

Fig.3 MS spectrum of glycosaminoglycan sugar chains. (Song, et al., 2020)

Applications

• Comprehensive analysis of glycosaminoglycans is used in the development of anticoagulants and painkillers in pharmaceuticals.
• Glycosaminoglycan analysis services are used to produce higher-purity glycosaminoglycans.
• Our glycosaminoglycan analysis services are used to study the properties and applications of glycosaminoglycans.

Advantages

• We have a full range of analytical techniques for the analysis of polysaccharides.
• We provide our clients with high-quality analysis reports promptly.
• We have a professional research team and a first-class laboratory.

CD BioGlyco has rich experience in polysaccharide research and provides every client with a full range of glycosaminoglycan analysis services, which include glycosaminoglycan purity, molecular weight, sugar content, structure, and monosaccharide composition. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.