Analysis of bound carbohydrates of human lens fractions by gas-liquid chromatography.

The bound carbohydrates of noncataractous , decapsulated, human lenses have been examined. The hexoses and hexosamines of the water-soluble, water-insoluble nonmembrane, and membrane fractions of lenses from six age groups were determined by gas-liquid chromatography. The plasma membrane contains 60-70% of all bound carbohydrates, including glucose, galactose, mannose, fucose, glucosamine, and galactosamine. These also occur in the water-insoluble nonmembrane fraction, suggesting that the latter contains glycoproteins. The water-soluble fraction contains glucose, galactose, and mannose.