Isolation and characterization of proteoglycans from growing antlers of wapiti (Cervus elaphus)

Proteoglycans were extracted with 4 M guanidine-HCl from the zone of maturi ng chondrocytes, the site of endochondral ossification of growing antlers o f wapiti (Cervus elaphus), Proteoglycans were isolated by DEAE-Sephacel chr omatography and separated by Sepharose CL-4B chromatography into three frac tions. Fraction I contained a high molecular mass (>1000 kDa) chondroitin s ulfate proteoglycan capable of interacting with hyaluronic acid. Its amino acid composition resembled that of the cartilage proteoglycan. aggrecan. Fr action II contained proteoglycans with intermediate molecular weight which were recognized by monoclonal antibodies specific to chondroitin sulfate an d keratan sulfate. Fraction III contained a low molecular mass (<160 kDa) p roteoglycan, decorin, with a glucuronate-rich glycosaminoglycan chain. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.