Glycoconjugate biosynthesis in human epidermis.

Epidermal glycoconjugates synthesized by skin slices in media containing radiolabelled sugars were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A large proportion of the epidermal glycoconjugates were soluble in 10% (w/v) trichloroacetic acid. In addition to glycolipids and glycosaminoglycans, the acid-soluble fraction contained glycoproteins, a group of which (mol. wt. 70,000-160,000) were highly glycosylated and particularly rich in fucose. Analysis of the glycosaminoglycans by cellulose acetate electrophoresis combined with specific enzymic and nitrous acid degradation studies revealed that hyaluronic acid (73%) and heparan sulphate (18%) were the main components.