Structure of low-molecular-weight chondroitinsulfate

The structure of low-molecular-weight chondroitinsulfate (LMW-ChS, principal component of Matrix) was elucidated by a combination of physico-chemical and enzymatic methods. High-field 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra provide a characteristic fingerprint of this glycosaminoglycan. From the relative intensity of typical signals, the distribution of the sulfate group of LMW-ChS was shown to be 75.5% on O-6, and 27.5% on O-4 of the galactosamine unit. Together with the HPLC profiles, the 13C-NMR spectra also allowed, from the intensity of typical signals of end-residues, the determination of the average molecular weight and the molecular-weight distribution of LMW-ChS. This structural analysis is consistent with results obtained by enzymatic degradation with chondroitinases and analysis (by chromatography and NMR) of fragments.