Glycosaminoglycan

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Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) or mucopolysaccharides are long unbranched polysaccharides consisting of a repeating disaccharide unit. This unit consists of an N-acetyl-hexosamine and a hexose or hexuronic acid, either or both of which may be sulfated. The combination of the sulfate group and the carboxylate groups of the uronic acid residues gives them a very high density of negative charge. Members of the glycosaminoglycan family vary in the type of hexosamine, hexose or hexuronic acid unit they contain (e.g. glucuronic acid, iduronic acid, galactose, galactosamine, glucosamine). They also vary in the geometry of the glycosidic linkage. This family of carbohydrates is essential or important for the life of vertebrates and an assortment of lower animals.

GAGs form an important component of connective tissues. GAG chains may be covalently linked to a protein to form proteoglycans.

[edit] Examples of GAGs

• Chondroitin sulphate
• Dermatan sulphate
• Keratan sulphate
• Heparan sulphate
• Heparin
• Hyaluronan

[edit] See also

• Mucopolysaccharidosis
• Lipopolysaccharide

[edit] External links

• Proteoglycans and Glycosaminoglycans
• Illustration