| Abstract: | Changes in conformation of hyaluronate and chondroitin sulfates following periodate oxidation were studied by CD. We monitored the progressive oxidation of these polymers by periodic acid at 4°C in pH 5.6 buffer. The negative CD band of hyaluronate at 208 nm decreased in intensity upon oxidation and changed its sign after 16 h of oxidation. In contrast, the 208-nm CD band of chondroitin sulfates decreased, but showed no change in sign even after 48 h of oxidation. A specific difference in solution conformation between hyaluronate and chondroitins may be responsible for the difference in oxidation-induced dichroic behavior. The results are discussed in terms of available x-ray diffraction analyses of these polymers. |
