1. CARBOHYDRATES
Chemistry
(Chapter 7)

2. - Overview of glycosaminoglycans
3rd Lecture: Pages :
Glycosaminoglycans
( Chapter 14 )
- Overview of glycosaminoglycans
- Structure of glycosaminoglycans :
A. Relationship between glycosaminoglycans
structure and function

3. Glycosaminoglycans
I - Definition:
They are large complexes of negatively charged heteropolysaccharide (Mucopolysaccharides) chains containing modified forms of glucose.
They are carbohydrates associated with small amount of protein forming proteoglycans (95% carbohydrates).
Polymer of different monosaccharides

5. II - Importance: They have the ability to bind large amount of water to form the gel-like matrix that forms the basis of the body’s ground substances . So,
1-They stabilize and support cellular and fibrous components of tissue
2- They help in maintaining the water and salt balance of the body
3- They play a role in mediating cell- cell interaction

6. 4- Synovial fluid’s glycosaminoglycans serve as a lubricant in joint, tendon sheaths and bursae.
5- The character of connective tissue is dependent on the amount of ground substance (glycosaminoglycans) and embedded protein.e.g cartilage is rich in ground substance, whereas tendon is composed of fibers

8. III - Structure of glycosaminoglycans :
They are long , unbranched formed from repeating disaccharides unit (Figures 14.1 & 14.2) :
1-Amino sugar ; D-glucosamine or D-galactosamine in which the amino group is usually acetylated to eliminating its positive charge and they may be sulfated.
2- Acidic sugar; D- glucuronic acid or its C5 epimar, “ L- iduronic acid” gives the glycosaminoglycans their strongly negative nature.

12. Relationship between glycosaminoglycans structure and function:
1- In water, due to their large number of negative charges, these heteropolysaccharide chains extended and surrounded with shell of water.
2- When brought together, they “slip” past each other as 2 magnets  “slippery” consistency of mucous secretion and Synovial fluid.

13. 3- Squeezing water out of glycosaminoglycans  decreasing their volumes .
4- On releasing the compression  they return back to their original hydrated state.
5-This property plays an important role in the resilience of Synovial fluid and vitreous humor of eye ( Figure 14.3).

17. Thank you

18. B. Classification of glycosaminoglycans C. Structure of proteoglycans
4th Lecture: Pages : 155 – 157 & page 163
        Glycosaminoglycans
(Chapter 14)
B. Classification of glycosaminoglycans
C. Structure of proteoglycans   

19. B.Classification of glycosaminoglycans (GAG):
GAG are classified into 6 major classes according to :
1- Monomeric composition
2- Type of glycosidic linkages
3- Degree and Location of sulphate units

20. The 6 major classes of Glycosaminoglycans are : (Figure 14.4)
1- Chondroitin 4- & 6- Sulfates
2- Keratan Sulfates I & II
3- Hyaluronic Acid.
4- Dermatan Sulfate
5- Heparin
6- Heparan Sulfate

21. 1 4 2 5 3 6

22. - The most heterogeneous GAG due to its
1- Chondroitin 4- & 6- Sulfates :
- The most abundant GAG in the body.
- Form proteoglycan aggregates together with
hyaluronic acid.
- Found in : cartilage, tendons, ligaments & aorta
2- Keratan Sulfates I & II :
- The most heterogeneous GAG due to its
monosaccharides (L-fructose, mannose..etc) content.
- Found in : - Loose connective tissue ( KS Type II )
- Cornea ( KS Type I )

23. 3- Hyaluronic Acid :
- Differs from other GAG (unsulfated, not covalently
attached to protein, the only GAG not limited to
animal tissue).
- Serves as a lubricant and shock absorber
- Found in : Synovial fluid of joints, vitreous humor
of the eye, umbilical cord, loose CT & cartilages

25. - Found in : Skin, Blood vessels and Heart valves 5- Heparin :
4- Dermatan Sulfate :
- Found in : Skin, Blood vessels and Heart valves
5- Heparin :
- Serves as an anticoagulant.
- Found in : An intracellular component of mast cells lining
the arteries of Liver, Lungs and Skin.
6- Heparan Sulfate :
- Extracellular GAG.
- Found in : - Basement membrane
- As a ubiquitous component of cell surface

27. C. Structure of proteoglycans :
1-Structure of Proteoglycan monomers:
- Proteoglycan monomer in the cartilage consists of a core
protein to which the linear glycosaminoglycan chains are
covalently attached.
- Each GAG chain composed of more than 100
monosaccharides extend out from the core protein 
bottle brush. (Figure 14.5)
- Cartilage Proteoglycan :
GAG species include Chondroitin sulfate and keratan
sulfate .

30. 3- Proteoglycan aggregates: are formed of
Examples of Proteoglycans:
- Syndecan : an integral membrane proteoglycan.
- Versican & Aggregan :the most abundant extracellular proteoglycan
- Neurocan & Cerebrocan : found in the nervous system
2- Linkage between the carbohydrate chain and the protein :
- Most commonly through trihexoside (galactose-
galactose-xylose) & a serine residue.
- An O - glycosidic bond between xylose and OH- group
of serine . (Figure 14.6)
3- Proteoglycan aggregates: are formed of
proteoglycan monomers associated with hyaluronic acid
which interacts ionically with the core protein, which is
stabilized with small link proteins. (Figure 14.7)

31. O-glycosidic bond

35. Overview of Glycoproteins
Glycoproteins are proteins to which
oligosaccharides are covalently attached.
They differ from proteoglycans in that the length of
the glycoprotein’s carbohydrate chain is relatively
short (2-10 sugar residues).
It can be very long in the glycosaminoglycans.

36. Overview of Glycoproteins …. contd
The glycoprotein carbohydrate chains are often branched instead of linear and do not have serial repeats unlike that in glycosaminoglycans and may or may not be negatively charged.
Glycoproteins contain highly variable amounts of carbohydrate:
- IgG contains < 4% of its mass as CHO
- human gastric glycoprotein (mucin) contains > 80%
CHO.

37. Overview of Glycoproteins …. contd
Membrane-bound glycoproteins participate widely in the cellular phenomena:
- Cell surface recognition (by hormones, viruses &
other cells).
- Cell surface antigenicity ( Blood group antigens)
- Components of extracellular matrix
- Protective biological lubricants (Mucins of GIT &
UGT ) ( Figure 14.13)
Almost all the globular proteins present in human plasma are glycoproteins.

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