Application

Aggrecan is a critical component for cartilage structure and the function of joints. Its synthesis and degradation are being studied for their roles in cartilage deterioration during joint injury disease and aging.

Biochem/physiol Actions

This molecule produces a rigid, reversibly deformable gel that resists compression. It combines with hyaluronic acid to form very large macromolecular complexes that have an increased hydrohynamic volume and a significant increase (30-40%) in the relative viscosity of the solution.

Caution

Store this product at -20°C. Stored as supplied, this powder shows little decomposition in 3 years when stored properly.

Components

Aggrecan is a major structural proteoglycan of the cartilage extracellular matrix. It is a large proteoglycan, with a molecular weight greater than 2,500 kDa composed of approximately 100-150 glycosaminoglycan chains attached to a core protein. The majority of these glycosaminoglycan chains are chondroitin/dermatan sulfate. Aggrecan contains three globular domains, G1, G2, and G3, which are involved in aggregation and hylauronan binding, cell adhesion and chondrycte apoptosis.

Packaging

1 mg in glass bottle

Preparation Note

This product is extracted from articular cartilage, chematographically purified, dialyzed against water, and sterile-filtered prior to lyophilization. Once lyophilized, this powder is essentially salt-free. The product is soluble in water at 2 mg/mL.