Journal of Glycobiology
Open Access

Glycosaminoglycans in health and disease

Glycobiology World Congress

August 10-12, 2015 Philadelphia, USA

Hamdia Ezzat

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Glycobiol

Abstract :

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are large complexes of negatively charged heteropolysaccharide chains composed of a repeating
disaccharide unit [acidic sugar and amino sugar]. The amino sugar is either D-glucosamine or D-galactosamine, the acidic
sugar is either D-glucuronic acid or L-iduronic acid. GAGs are located primarily on the surface of cells or in the extracellular
matrix (ECM). The specific GAGs of physiological significance are hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate,
heparin, heparan sulfate, and keratan sulfate. Hyaluronic acid may be important in permitting tumor cells to migrate through
the ECM. Chondroitin sulfate most abundant GAG. Heparan sulfate, extracellular GAG contains higher acetylated glucosamine
than heparin and less sulphated groups. Some tumor cells have less heparan sulfate at their surfaces. Heparin is an intracellular
GAG, component of intracellular granules of mast cells. Heparin is an important anticoagulant. Its most important interaction
is with plasma anti-thrombin III. Dermatan sulfate is a glycosaminoglycan found mostly in skin. Keratan sulfate originally the
designations KSI and KSII were based on differences between KS from cornea and that of cartilage. GAGs such as heparin,
heparan sulfate (HS) and dermatan sulfate (DS) serve as key biological response modifiers by acting as co-receptors for growth
factors, cytokines and chemokines; regulators of enzyme activity; signaling molecules in response to infection, wounding and
and targets for viral, bacterial and parasitic virulence factors for attachment and immune system evasion.