Glycosaminoglycan synthesis by Wilms' tumor

Wilms' tumor contains approximately 1 mg hyaluronic acid and approximately 0.3 mg sulfated glycosaminoglycan per g tissue. Minced tumor and cells cultured from the tumor incorporate labeled acetate and glucosamine into hyaluronic acid and sulfated glycosaminoglycans. A particulate enzyme preparation derived from the tumor catalyzed the transfer of GlcUA or GlcNAc from UDP-GlcUA or UDP-GlcNAc at a rate of approximately 20 nmol/hr/mg protein to produce high molecular weight hyaluronic acid chains. The urine and plasma of a Wilms' tumor patient contained approximately 20 mg hyaluronic acid and 8 mg sulfated glycosaminoglycan/100 ml, respectively. It appears that this higher than normal level of circulating glycosaminoglycan is synthesized by the Wilms' tumor.