Biological Roles of Keratan Sulfate Proteoglycans

Detection and Quantification of Sulfated Disaccharides from Keratan Sulfate and Chondroitin/Dermatan Sulfate during Chick Corneal Development by ESI-MS/MS

“…In some domains of KS, the hydroxyl groups at the C-6 positions of both Gal and GlcNAc residues may be sulfated. 5 Chains of CS/DS consist of N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) residues alternating in glycosidic linkages with glucuronic acid or iduronic acid residues. The GalNAc residues are predominantly sulfated in the C-4 or C-6-hydroxyl position, interspersed with a few nonsulfated residues.…”

On‐target derivatization of keratan sulfate oligosaccharides with pyrenebutyric acid hydrazide for MALDI‐TOF/TOF‐MS

“…In contrast to other GAGs, keratan sulfate (KS) does not contain uronic acids, and its repeating disaccharide unit is composed of alternating residues of D ‐galactose (Gal) and N ‐acetyl‐ D ‐glucosamine (GlcNAc) linked β‐(1–4) and β‐(1–3), respectively. In KS from most tissues, the hydroxyl groups at the C‐6 positions of one or both Gal and GlcNAc residues are sulfated 11. Different degrees and patterns of sulfation have been observed in the cornea,12 various types of cartilage,13, 14 and the brain 15.…”

“…Different degrees and patterns of sulfation have been observed in the cornea,12 various types of cartilage,13, 14 and the brain 15. KS plays important roles in corneal transparency, nerve growth cone guidance, and cell adhesion, largely dependent on its patterns of sulfation 11. Thus, sensitive detection of all the detailed structural features of KS is required for understanding its normal role in vivo and for diagnosis of KS‐related diseases.…”