THE EFFECT OF EXTRACELLULAR-MATRIX MODIFICATIONS ON UDP-GLUCOSE DEHYDROGENASE-ACTIVITY IN CULTURED HUMAN-SKIN FIBROBLASTS

  • 1 January 1986
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 30  (1) , 85-92
Abstract
The effect of modifications of the extracellular matrix on the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans was investigated in human skin fibroblast cultures by studying UDPGDH activity in order to evaluate; a), the histoenzymological and biochemical modifications induced by chondroitinase ABC treatment (new experimental conditions were developed in order to obtain minimum cell damage; b), the reversibility of these modifications; c), the effect of growing the cells in the presence of chondroitinsulfate; d), the specificity of the modifications induced. The results demonstrated that our experimental conditions specifically affected intracellular UDPGDH activity. Chondroitinase ABC treatment induced a reversible increase of UDP-glucuronic acid synthesis. On the contrary, the presence of chondroitinsulfate in the growth medium completely inhibited UDPGDH activity.