Browsing by Author "Morin, Alyssa"

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    Biophysical Evidence for a Molecular Interaction between Proteoglycan 4 and Hyaluronan in Solution: Effect of Exposure to a Zwitterionic Detergent on Cartilage Boundary Lubricating Function
    (2016) Morin, Alyssa; Schmidt, Tannin
    Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) and hyaluronan (HA) are key synovial fluid constituents that contribute synergistically to cartilage boundary lubrication through an undefined mechanism. PRG4 monomers and multimers have previously been separated using size exclusion chromatography with a buffer containing the zwitterionic detergent CHAPS. However, CHAPS may alter the ability of PRG4 to interact with HA and synergistically reduce friction. The objectives of this thesis were to (1) assess the size distribution of PRG4, HA, and PRG4+HA in solution, and (2) determine the effect of exposing PRG4 to CHAPS on the size distribution, cartilage boundary lubricating ability, and cartilage adsorption of PRG4+HA. The size distribution of PRG4+HA was less than PRG4 and HA. Exposure to CHAPS irreversibly altered the size distribution, cartilage boundary lubricating ability, and cartilage adsorption of PRG4+HA. These results suggest a hydrophobic molecular interaction exists between PRG4 and HA, both in solution and at the articular cartilage surface.