Dromedary glycosaminoglycans: molecular characterization of camel lung and liver heparan sulfate

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are the portion of a proteoglycan that determine its final shape and function. The molecular structure of predominant GAG species in camel liver and lung is reported for the first time. The one-humped camel survives in an extreme, arid habitat and, thus, offers a good model to study the role of glycomics on homeostasis. Heparan sulfate (HS) from the lung and liver of the one-humped camel were isolated. Characterization of these newly isolated glycosaminoglycans included (1)H NMR spectroscopy and disaccharide compositional analysis. The relative molecular weight of these GAGs was estimated by gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and their degree of sulfation was also assessed. Anticoagulant activity was determined using an anti-factor Xa assay and the HS from camel lung shows approximately 50% of heparin's activity. The structural differences of camel liver GAGs compared to human and porcine liver heparin and HS is discussed. Camel lung heparan sulfate resembles both heparin and HS in its structure and properties suggesting that it is either a highly sulfated form of HS, a mixture of heparin and HS or an undersulfated heparin.