The separation of chondroitin sulfate disaccharides and hyaluronan oligosaccharides by capillary zone electrophoresis

We have developed techniques for the separation of unsulfated (2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3- O-(4-deoxy-α- l- threo-hex-4-enopyranosyluronicacid)- d-galactose and - d-glucose), monosulfated (2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3- O-(4-deoxy-2- O-sulfo-α- l- threo-hex-4-enopyranosyluronic acid)- d-galactose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3- O-(4-deoxy-α- l- threo-hex-4-enopyranosyluronic acid)-4-sulfo- d-galactose and -6-sulfo- d-galactose), disulfated (2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3- O-(4-deoxy-2- O-sulfo-α- l- threo-hex-4-enopyranosyluronic acid)-4-sulfo- d-galactose and -6-sulfo- d-galactose and 2-acet-amido-2-deoxy-3- O-(4-deoxy-α- l- threo-hex-4-enopy-ranosyluronic acid)-4,6-di- O-sulfo- d-galactose), and trisulfated (2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3- O-(4-deoxy-2- O-sulfo-α- l- threo-hex-4-enopyranosyluronic acid)-4,6-di- O-sulfo- d-galactose) isomers of chondroitin using capillary zone electrophoresis. In addition, it is possible to separate oligomers of hyaluronan by similar protocols. These techniques represent a rapid, sensitive, and reproducible technique for the assay of these molecules from digests of connective tissues.