The affinity of newly synthesized proteoglycan for hyaluronic acid can be enhanced by exposure to mild alkali

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The affinities for hyaluronic acid of newly synthesized proteoglycan from post-confluent rabbit condrocyte cultures and purified bovine proteoglycan monomer were compared. In mixtures prepared at pH 6.8 the newly synthesized proteoglycan had the lower affinity; however, in mixtures incubated at pH 8.5 for 24 h before addition of hyaluronic acid, the newly synthesized proteoglycan exhibited a markedly higher affinity than the bovine monomer. The results suggest that proteoglycan secreted without associated link protein [Plaas, Sandy and Muir (1983) Biochem. J. 214, 855-864] has a low affinity for hyaluronate and that this may be increased during subsequent extracellular processing.