Polydisperse distribution of acidic glycosaminoglycans in bovine kidney tissue.

Distribution of acidic glycosaminoglycans in bovine kidneys was investigated after fractionation by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The fractionated acidic glycosaminoglycans were characterized by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membranes before and after specific enzyme digestion. Chondroitinases were used to detect the chondroitin sulfate isomers by demonstration of the disaccharide subunits and to distinguish the other acidic glycosaminoglycans by their resistance to the enzymes. The polydispersity of heparan sulfates, which accounted for two fifths of the total kidney glycosaminoglycans, was demonstrated with respect to the degree of sulfation and molecular weight difference. Hyaluronic acid accounted for approximately one fourth of the total glycosaminoglycans and was distributed in fractions of relatively higher molecular weight. Chondroitin sulfate isomers contained in decreasing amounts the disaccharide components of dermatan sulfate and chondroitin 4- and 6-sulfates.