Increased sulphation level and altered composition of glycosaminoglycans synthesized by cultured smooth muscle cells in the presence of beta-D-xylosides.

Cultured rat and bovine smooth muscle cells incorporated more 35SO4 into macromolecular glycosaminoglycans in the presence of beta-D-xylosides than in their absence. More than 90% of the xyloside-initiated glycosaminoglycans were secreted rapidly into the culture medium and were more highly sulphated than glycosaminoglycans polymerized on core protein. The increased extents of sulphation were associated with increased synthesis of dermatan sulphate and a decrease in that of nitrous acid-sensitive glycosaminoglycans.