Dermatan sulfate in tunicate phylogeny: Order-specific sulfation pattern and the effect of motifs in dermatan sulfate on heparin cofactor II activity
2011
Dermatan sulfate in tunicate phylogeny
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Kozlowski Eliene O, Lima Paula C, Vicente Cristina P, Lotufo Tito, Bao Xingfeng, Sugahara Kazuyuki, Pavão Mauro SG
Primary Institution: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
Hypothesis
How does sulfation evolve within Tunicata?
Conclusion
The position of sulfation on dermatan sulfate is related to the taxon, with 6-O sulfation being a novelty in Phlebobranchia.
Supporting Evidence
- Disaccharide analyses indicated a high content of disulfated disaccharide units in the dermatan sulfates from both orders.
- 76% of the disaccharide units in dermatan sulfates from stolidobranch ascidians are disulfated.
- Changes in the position of sulfation on N-acetylgalactosamine modulate heparin cofactor II activity.
Takeaway
This study looks at how a type of sugar called dermatan sulfate changes in different sea creatures called tunicates, and how these changes affect their ability to help stop bleeding.
Methodology
Disaccharide analysis and heparin cofactor II activity assays were performed on dermatan sulfates extracted from various ascidian species.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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