title: Localization and characterization of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in the body of the earthworm Eisenia andrei (Oligochaeta, Annelida).
abstract: The aim of this study was to characterize the compartmental distribution of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (S-GAGs) in adults and their occurrence during the development of the earthworm Eisenia andrei. S-GAGs were extracted from the body of earthworms to identify their composition and the time of their appearance and disappearance in embryonic, newborn, juvenile, and adult earthworms. S-GAGs were also analyzed in earthworm tissue using histochemical metachromatic staining. Purified S-GAGs obtained from the whole body of adult earthworms were composed of chondroitin sulfate (CS) and heparan sulfate (HS). In addition, an unknown, highly sulfated polysaccharide (HSP) was detected. In order to characterize specifically the S-GAG composition in the integument, earthworms were dissected and as much as possible of their viscera was removed. HS and CS were the predominant sulfated polysaccharides in the dissected integument, whereas in viscera, CS, HS and the HSP were found in proportions similar to those identified in the body. The qualitative S-GAG composition in juveniles was similar to that obtained from adult earthworms. CS was the predominant S-GAG in newborn earthworms, accompanied by lesser amounts of HS and by tiny amounts of the HSP. This study provides a detailed descriptive account of the pattern of S-GAG synthesis during development, and also the characterization of the tissue distribution of these compounds in the body of earthworms.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Tecido Conjuntivo, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Hanna B F
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Amaral
authors.forename: Samuel H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Mateus
authors.forename: Laina C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Cristiane C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palumbo-Junior
authors.forename: Maria-Aparecida O
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Domingos
authors.forename: Leonardo P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Cinelli
authors.forename: Adilson
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Costa-Filho
authors.forename: Luiz E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Nasciutti
authors.forename: Luiz-Claudio F
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D006497:Heparan Sulfate / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D006497:Heparan Sulfate