General Veterinary Biochemistry

FUNCTIONS OF GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS

Name of the sugar	Functions
Hyaluronic acid	It is not sulfated. Present in synovial fluid, vitreous humor and in the loose connective tissue. Serves as a lubricant and provides the cushioning effect.
Chondroitin 4 - and 6 - sulfates	Formation of bone, cartilage and cornea.
Heparin	It is present in mast cells. Serves as an anticoagulant. Causes the release of the lipoprotein lipase from the capillary walls.
Heparan sulfate	Component of skin fibroblast and aortic walls. Commonly found on all cell surfaces.
Keratan sulfate	Transparency of cornea. Found in loose connective tissues.
Dermatan sulfate	Found in skin, blood vessels and heart valves. Binds LDL to plasma walls.