In vivo synthesis of acid mucopolysaccharides by Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

The biosynthesis and intracellular distribution of acid mucopolysaccharides in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells was studied in vivo by means of the precursors 35S-sulfate, 3H-glucosamine and 14C-galactosamine. It was found that the acid mucopolysaccharide present in the ascitic fluid supernatant is hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid appears to be of extracellular origin, and it is bound to proteins of the cell membrane. The ascites cells exhibit a very active production of sulfated mucopolysaccharides particularly at the mitochondria and cell membrane level. Chondroitin sulfate A is the major component but also the isomers B and C are present. The possible role of chondroitin sulfate A in the development of neoplastic characteristics of the cell is discussed.