Metabolism of Cartilage Proteoglycans in Health and Disease

Abstract EN

Cartilage proteoglycans are extracellular macromolecules with complex structure, composed of a core protein onto which a variable number of glycosaminoglycan chains are attached.

Their biosynthesis at the glycosaminoglycan level involves a great number of sugar transferases well-orchestrated in Golgi apparatus.

Similarly, their degradation, either extracellular or intracellular in lysosomes, involves a large number of hydrolases.

A deficiency or malfunction of any of the enzymes participating in cartilage proteoglycan metabolism may lead to severe disease state.

This review summarizes the findings regarding this topic.