Changing patterns of proteoglycan synthesis during chondrogenic differentiation

• Published in: Development (Cambridge) Vol. 56; no. 1; pp. 59 - 70
• Main Authors: Ovadia, M, Parker, C.H, Lash, J.W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Cambridge University Press for The Company of Biologists Limited 01.04.1980
• Subjects: animal physiology; Animals; Cartilage - cytology; Cartilage - metabolism; Cell Differentiation; Chick Embryo; Extremities - embryology; Extremities - metabolism; Molecular Weight; Proteoglycans - biosynthesis; Spine - embryology; Spine - metabolism; Sternum - embryology; Sternum - metabolism
• ISSN: 0022-0752; 0950-1991; 1477-9129
• DOI: 10.1242/dev.56.1.59

The pattern of proteoglycan synthesis was examined in the cartilages of the anterior and the posterior limbs, the vertebra and the sterna of the developing chick embryo, during chondrogenic differentiation. At stage 18, the limb primordia synthesize small monomeric proteoglycans. In all nine cartilages examined, there was a shift during differentiation from small to larger intermediate forms followed by a transition toward the aggregate forms. As development proceeds, the proportion of aggregates increases and the small proteoglycans almost disappear. Chondrogenic differentiation is thus marked by a increase in the size of the proteoglycan molecules, and an increase in the proportion of the large proteoglycan aggregates.