title: The distribution of chondroitin sulfates in articular and growth cartilages of human bones.
abstract: The relative contents of chondroitin 4- and 6-sulfates in cartilages of different human bones are reported. Articular and vertebral body cartilages contain almost exclusively chondroitin 6-sulfate, whereas growth and subarticular cartilages contain nearly equal amounts of chondroitin 4-sulfate and chondroitin 6-sulfate. Adult cartilages, where the calcification process is complete, contain only chondroitin 6-sulfate. These results that chondroitin 4-sulfate may be an important component for the calcification process, whereas chondroitin 6-sulfate seems to be related to the integrity of the articular surfaces. A chemical defect of chondroitin 6-sulfate in a new mucopolysaccharidosis, characterized by platyspondyly and irregularities of articular surfaces, is in agreement with these results.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000032:analysis*; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D002356:Cartilage / Q000032:analysis*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000032:analysis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002807:Chondroitin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000032:analysis*; D002810:Chondroitinases and Chondroitin Lyases / Q000378:metabolism; D004187:Disaccharides / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006595:Hexosamines / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D004187:Disaccharides; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006595:Hexosamines; D002807:Chondroitin; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D002810:Chondroitinases and Chondroitin Lyases