High molecular weight proteoglycans biosynthesized in culture by pigeon aortas

The properties of aortic proteoglycans synthesized in vitro were examined to demonstrate synthesis of intact proteoglycans by aortic tissue in culture and to compare labeling and synthetic rates of two different populations of proteoglycan. Following 3, 6, or 9 h of incubation in medium containing [35S]sodium sulfate and [3H]serine, the tissue was extracted with 4.0 M guanidine hydrochloride containing protease inhibitors. Extracts were chromatographed on Sepharose CL-4B and subjected to buoyant density centrifugation under dissociative conditions. Radioactive precursors were incorporated into two major populations of aortic proteoglycan, one of high molecular weight eluting near the void volume of Sepharose CL-4B (Proteoglycan I) and one of lower molecular weight (Proteoglycan II) having a Kav of 0.40-0.44. The radioactively labeled proteoglycans were localized at densities 1.50-1.56 g/ml (Preparation 1) and 1.43-1.49 g/ml (Preparation 2) following CsCl buoyant density centrifugation. Both proteoglycan populations had increased incorporation of 35S and 3H over time. At all times the lower molecular weight proteoglycan had a higher specific activity (dpm 35S and 3H/micrograms hexuronic acid). At 3, 6, and 9 h, the specific activity of Proteoglycan II was 8.2-, 6.7- and 3.0-fold higher than Proteoglycan I using 35S and 13.0-, 8.1- and 2.7-fold higher using 3H, suggesting different synthetic rates for the two proteoglycans. The results illustrate synthesis of intact proteoglycans during short-term artery culture. The proteoglycan types have size and buoyant density characteristics as described for artery, but based upon changes in specific activity ratios, the two proteoglycan populations differ in rates of synthesis.