X-ray analysis of the conformation of chondroitin-4-sulfate calcium salt.

The conformation of the chondroitin-4-sulfate calcium salt was investigated by X-ray analysis. The following results were obtained. 1, The repeat length per disaccharide was 0.913 nm: 2, The molecular chain had three-fold screw symmetry: 3, The shape of the unit cell was a trigonal prism with dimensions a=b=1.28 nm, c=2.74 nm, and gamma=120 degrees: 4, The number of disaccharide residues in the unit cell was six. Two molecular chains were packed in the unit cell.