Molecular Biology of Hyaluronan
Chemistry. Metabolism and Biosynthesis
HAbelongs to the family ofglycosaminoglycans, which also includes dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, keratan sulfate, heparan sulfate and heparin. HA is an unbranched polysaccharide built up from repetitive units of D-glucuronic acid and·l)..N-acetylglucosamin~ disacchafides (fig. 1). In contrast to other glycosaminoglycans,