Self-association of hyaluronate segments in aqueous NaCl solution.
The potential for self-association by hyaluronate (HA) chains in 0.15 M NaCl was investigated, using low molecular weight HA segments as a model system. HA segments were derived from the polymer by controlled enzymatic digestion, and purified by gel filtration chromatography. Seven samples of narrow molecular weight distribution were analyzed by sensitivity-enhanced polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and found to have the following weight-average numbers of repeating disaccharide units: A, 90; B, 51; C, 38; D, 31; E, 23; F, 18; G, 13. The segment preparations were studied in 0.15 M NaCl by capillary viscometry, low angle laser light scattering, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The data indicate concentration-dependent intermolecular association of short segments, and a capability for intramolecular association (hairpin formation) by larger HA segments.
Department of Chemistry, Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, New York 11201.
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Turner
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Lin
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Cowman
D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D012996:Solutions; D014783:Viscosity
D012996:Solutions; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase