Experimental determination of the kinetics of calcium-binding with chondroitin sulphate and the effects of uric acid on this process.

The calcium-binding kinetics of chondroitin sulphate C (CS) have been determined using equilibrium analysis including 45Ca. There is a linear relationship between the extent of the Ca binding and the concentration of CS present. 1 mumol CS disaccharide unit binds 0.757 mumol Ca. Scatchard plots of the data have revealed a single constant of dissociation (KD = 0.1429). In the presence of urate ions, and dependent on the pH value, the ability of CS to bind Ca may be impaired by as much as 31%. These measurements have supported the theory that urate ions interact with the GAGs in urine.