Methods for the study of the glycoproteins and proteoglycans of bone using bacterial collagenase. Determination of bone sialoprotein and chondroitin sulphate.

A method has been developed for the solubilization of bone matrix using bacterial collagenase. The soluble macromolecules were separated by a column procedure on DEAE-cellulose and analysed for uronic and sialic acids. Values for the total non-collagenous fraction of bone and its content of bone sialoprotein and chondroitin sulphate were obtained. The method was compared with similar procedures using EDTA extraction and papain digestion.