Biochemical characterization of connective tissue macromolecules derived from cutaneous fibrosarcoma.

Tumor tissue of cutaneous fibrosarcoma was solubilized with salt, acetic acid and salt-extracted after pepsin treatment. Type III collagen was observed in neutral soluble collagen, 1.5 M and 2.4 M NaCl precipitated fractions after pepsin treatment. Type III collagen fraction precipitated with 1.5 M NaCl eluted in the alpha2 region when chromatographed on CM-cellulose without reduction, while the type III collagen partially purified with 1.5 M NaCl eluted between the position of alpha1(I) and beta12 after reduction and alkylation. Analysis of amino acid showed the presence of cysteine and the high content of hydroxyproline following CM-chromatography of 1.5 M NaCl precipitated type III collagen fraction. Acidic glycosaminoglycans were composed of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate, and the first two were major components of fibrosarcoma.