Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), also known as mucopolysaccharides, are negatively-charged polysaccharide compounds. They contain repeating disaccharide units that are present in every mammalian tissue. Their functions are determined by their molecular structure and include cell hydration and structural scaffolding, cell signaling, which serves to modulate a vast amount of biochemical processes. The four primary groups of GAGs are classified based on their core disaccharide units and include heparin/heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate, keratan sulfate, and hyaluronic acid.
Afratis, N., Gialeli, C., Nikitovic, D., Tsegenidis, T., Karousou, E., Theocharis, A. D., Pavão, M. S., Tzanakakis, G. N., & Karamanos, N. K. (2012). Glycosaminoglycans: key players in cancer cell biology and treatment. The FEBS journal, 279(7), 1177–1197.
Click here to redirect detail information. Raman, R., Sasisekharan, V., & Sasisekharan, R. (2005). Structural insights into biological roles of protein-glycosaminoglycan interactions. Chemistry & biology, 12(3), 267–277.
Click here to redirect detail information. Prydz K. (2015). Determinants of Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) Structure. Biomolecules, 5(3), 2003–2022.
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