Glycosaminoglycans

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are linear, complex and polydisperse polysaccharides that are made by all animal cells.

They are generally associated with a small amount of protein, forming proteoglcycans, which typically consist of over 95 percent carbohydrate. They include hyaluronan or hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, keratan sulfate and heparan sulfate.

Glycosaminoglycans have a special ability to bind large amounts of water, thereby producing the gel-like matrix that forms the basis of the body’s ground substance.

Glycoaminoglycans

Glycosaminoglycans are long, unbranched, heteropolysaccharides chains generally composed of a repeating disaccharide unit in which one sugar either N-acetylgalactosamine or N-acetylglucosamine.

Typically, each disaccharide carries a carboxyl group and often one or more sulfates so that most glycosaminoglycans have a high density of negative charges.

Glycosaminoglycans support connective tissues such as skin, tendons, cartilage, ligaments, and bone.

Glycosaminoglycans also support the structure do ears, auditory tubes and heart valves. Glycosaminoglycans such as chondroitin sulfate are jelly0like substance that helps lubricate surfaces of joints and provide resiliency, so that joints resist compression.
Glycosaminoglycans