Studies on Avian Mucopolysaccharide–Peptide Complexes and on In Vivo Incorporation of D-[1-14C]hexosamine

Abstract

The mucopolysaccharide–peptide complexes from White Leghorn skin, comb, wattle, heart, liver, and testis were isolated and analyzed for constituent carbohydrate and amino acid units. Individual mucopolysaccharides in each tissue were characterized using several techniques. All tissues examined, except liver, contained at least two mucopolysaccharides, including a low molecular weight component. The low molecular weight component appeared to be the only substance isolated from liver. The incorporation of D-[1-14C]hexosamine into acetone-dried tissues and mucopolysaccharide–peptide complexes was investigated. Intravenously injected D-[1-14C]galactosamine accumulated in the liver to a much greater extent than D-[1-14C]glucosamine. In addition, evidence was provided which indicated that glucosamine was converted to nonhexosamine products. The increase of radioactivity associated with mucopolysaccharide–peptide complexes with increasing time coincided with a decrease in liver radioactivity.