Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are long, linear, negatively charged polysaccharides consisting of repeating disaccharide units (an amino sugar and a uronic acid). Important components of skin and the extracellular matrix, they provide structural integrity, adhesiveness and the ability to withstand shocks. They also support hydration of tissue and when attached to proteins, they can mediate cell signalling and wound healing. There are 5 major categories of GAG’s, heparin/heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate dermatan sulfate, keratan sulfate and hyaluronic acid, with all but hyaluronic acid containing sulfate residues. Dysregulation of GAG breakdown in the lysosome results in the lysosomal storage disease, mucopolysaccharidosis, which results in abnormal accumulation of GAGs within the cell and subsequent cell damage. AkrivisBio’s Sulfated Glycosaminoglycan Assay detects all sulfated species of GAG’s greater than 4 saccharides long with a detection sensitivity of ~ 500 ng.
