Dermatan Sulfate

CAS No:	54328-33-5
Synonyms:	Chondroitin sulfate B (CS-B), dermatan polysulfate, DS, mucopolysaccharide B

Product Summary

Dermatan sulfate is a sulfated glycosaminoglycan structurally related to chondroitin sulfate but rich in iduronic acid. It plays crucial roles in hemostasis, wound healing, and extracellular matrix regulation, primarily through interactions with heparin cofactor II, TGF-β, and other signaling molecules. Its biomedical applications range from cardiovascular disease models to tissue engineering. Available as a purified product from animal tissues, dermatan sulfate is widely used in cell biology, hematology, and biomaterials research, with reliable storage and handling protocols for laboratory use.

Formula: C₁₄H₂₁NO₁₅S
Molecular Weight: 475.37

Function

Dermatan sulfate is a linear polysaccharide belonging to the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) family. Its functions include:

Regulating coagulation and fibrinolysis
Modulating cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation
Involvement in wound healing
Influencing tissue remodeling and fibrosis
Participating in host–pathogen interactions

Mechanism of Action

Dermatan sulfate is composed of repeating disaccharide units that contain, N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) with various O-sulfation patterns and Iduronic acid (IdoA) / glucuronic acid (GlcA). Its key mechanisms include:

Heparin cofactor II (HCII) activation: Dermatan sulfate enhances thrombin inhibition by binding to HCII, promoting its anticoagulant function—distinct from heparin which acts via antithrombin III.
Interaction with growth factors and cytokines: DS binds to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), and chemokines, regulating signaling pathways.
Tissue repair and matrix remodeling: DS proteoglycans like decorin regulate collagen fibrillogenesis, and interact with TGF-β to modulate fibrotic responses.

Applications in Scientific Research

Coagulation & thrombosis.: Study of HCII-mediated thrombin inhibition.
Fibrosis & wound healing: Modulation of TGF-β and extracellular matrix remodeling.
Cancer: Investigation of tumor invasion and metastasis via proteoglycan interactions.
Cardiovascular disease: Role in arterial wall structure, lipid retention, and atherosclerosis.
Infectious disease: Pathogen binding (e.g. dengue virus, CMV) to GAGs.
Neurobiology: Study of glial scarring and ECM in CNS injuries.
Biomaterials & tissue engineering: Used in hydrogels or coatings to mimic ECM properties.

Packaging & Storage

Sources: porcine intestinal mucosa
White lyophilized powder
Store at 2 – 8°C

References

Yu Y, et al. 2017: Sequencing the dermatan sulfate chain of decorin, J Am Chem Soc. 139(46):16986–95.
Pągielska M, Samsonov SA. 2023: Molecular dynamics-based comparative analysis of chondroitin and dermatan sulfates, Biomolecules. 13(2):247.
Malmström A, et al. 2012: Iduronic acid in chondroitin/dermatan sulfate: Biosynthesis and biological function, J Histochem Cytochem. 60(12):916–25.
Krichen F, et al. 2018: Purification and structural elucidation of chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate from Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) skins and their anticoagulant and ACE inhibitory activities, RSC Adv. 8(66):37965-75.
Venkatesan N, et al. 2011: Increased deposition of chondroitin/dermatan sulfate glycosaminoglycan and upregulation of β1,3-glucuronosyltransferase I in pulmonary fibrosis, Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 300(2):L191-203.
Béchard D, et al. 2001: Endocan is a novel chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate proteoglycan that promotes hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor mitogenic activity, J Biol Chem. 276(51):48341-9.
Gavva C, et al. 2025: Mechanistic studies of chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate isolated from freshwater fish discards on osteogenesis in MC3T3-E1 cells, Glycoconj J. 42(1):15-26.
Nenci GG. 2002: Dermatan sulphate as an antithrombotic drug, Pathophysiol Haemost Thromb. 32(5-6):303-7.
Plichta JK, Radek KA. 2012: Sugar-coating wound repair: A review of FGF-10 and dermatan sulfate in wound healing and their potential application in burn wounds, J Burn Care Res. 33(3):299–310.
Yamada S, Sugahara K. 2008: Potential therapeutic application of chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate, Curr Drug Discov Technol. 5(4):289-301.
Thelin MA, et al. 2013: Biological functions of iduronic acid in chondroitin/dermatan sulfate, FEBS J. 280(10):2431–46.
Trowbridge JM, Gallo RL. 2002: Dermatan sulfate: new functions from an old glycosaminoglycan, Glycobiology. 12(9):117R-25R.