title: Molecular conformation of sodium heparan sulphate in the condensed phase.
abstract: By using the X-ray-diffraction results reported previously for sodium heparan sulphate, a twofold helical conformation with an axially projected disaccharide repeat (h) equal to 0.93 nm has been examined in detail. On the basis of a repeating sequence of 1,4-alpha-D-glucosamine and 1,4-beta-D-glucuronic acid, trial and stereochemically feasible molecular models were computer-generated. An optimum twofold helical conformation is proposed, incorporating stabilizing intra-chain hydrogen bonds across both glycosidic linkages.
mesh_terms: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006497:Heparan Sulfate; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006497:Heparan Sulfate