Hyaluronic Acid: A Novel, Double Helical Molecule

Abstract

Films prepared from a deformable gel (or putty) of hyaluronic acid show high crystallinity and orientation in their x-ray diffraction patterns. We have derived a probable structure for the molecules in these films. This is a double helix in which two identical, left-handed strands are antiparallel to one another. Each strand has four disaccharide residues per pitch length. Although the putty is prepared at pH 2.5, at which dilute solutions of hyaluronic have exaggerated rheological properties, the double helical form can also exist at physiological pH and therefore may be a biologically important form.

Therapeutic Targeting of Hyaluronan in the Tumor Stroma

“…Due to its high negative charge, HA is capable of coordinating up to 10,000 times its weight in water, which contributes to its ability to increase interstitial fluid pressure at those sites where it accumulates [40]. Overall, about 25−30% of human tumors overexpress HA, and of special interest for this review, up to 87% of PDAs express high levels of this glycosaminoglycan (Figure 1) [11].…”

Molecular structure of hyaluronan: an introduction

“…The main purpose of the next X-ray diffraction investigation of hyaluronan by Dea et al [73] was, again, the search for a structural explanation of the physical and rheological properties of this substance. Similarly to previous studies, oriented fiber samples were exposed to X-rays and the diffraction patterns were analyzed.…”

Mucopolysaccharides: Comparison of Chondroitin Sulfate Conformations with Those of Related Polyanions

“…?, a and b) packed so that their axes are 14.3 A apart for threefold helices and 13.8 A apart for eightfold helices. Intermolecular distances of about 14 A are probably characteristic of sulfated mucopolysaccharides since they also occur for the seaweed polysaccharide t-carrageenate, which has the same linkage pattern (11).…”