Elevated chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase activity in fetal bovine serum.

Assay conditions for chondroitin sulfotransferase in serum were established using a rapid and simple paper disk method. Sulfotransferase activities towards endogenous serum glycosaminoglycans and exogenously added chondroitin were determined for fetal, newborn and adult bovine sera. The results indicate that 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS); chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase activity in fetal calf serum is several times that in newborn or adult bovine sera. The enzyme transfers sulfate onto position 6 of internal nonsulfated galactosamine units of endogenous and exogenous chondroitin.