Direct quantification of the rupture force of single hyaluronan/hyaluronan binding protein bonds

The non-covalent bond between aggrecan and hyaluronan is critical for maintaining the normal structure and function of the extracellular matrix in articular cartilage. The failure of this bond can cause the loss of aggrecan and destruction of the extracellular matrix of articular cartilage. In this study, the rupture force of the single bond between hyaluronan and hyaluronan binding protein - the complex of the hyaluronan binding region of aggrecan and link protein - was directly measured with a nanomechanical testing system as 40+/-11 pN. The results were compared to a theoretical prediction based on a smart version of the Monte Carlo simulation.