Glycosaminoglycans of the plasma membranes of renal tubule and liver cells

Glycosaminoglycans were isolated from plasma membranes of hepatic and renal tubule cells of guinea pig. Plasmalemma of renal tubule cells contained more total glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin-4 sulfates and chondroitin-6 sulfates, and less dermatan sulfates and heparin sulfates than liver plasma membranes. These glycocalyx components, owing to their polyanionic properties, may have a role in the transport of water, ions, and macromolecules across the cell membrane.