The binding of chondroitin 6-sulfate to plasma low density lipoprotein.

The interaction in vitro of several sulfated glycosaminoglycans with low density lipoproteins (LDL) has been studied. Chondroitin 6-sulfate and heparin were the only ones to produce turbidity when added to LDL in presence of Ca2+. However, when these two glycosaminoglycans were applied to LDL-affinity columns in presence of Ca2+, only chondroitin 6-sulfate was retained. Partially desulfated chondroitin 6-sulfate was not retained on LDL-affinity column, indicating the relevance of sulfate groups in the binding of LDL. Since chondroitin 4-sulfate and heparin, with a sulfate content respectively equal to and greater than that of chondroitin 6-sulfate, are not retained on LDL-affinity columns, the factors relevant to the binding of LDL are probably the conformation of the glycan in solution and the orientation of its sulfate groups.