Binding of bovine follicular fluid glycosaminoglycans to fibronectin, laminin and low-density lipoproteins

Interactions of bovine follicular fluid glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) with extracellular matrix (ECM) components fibronectin and laminin and with low-density lipoproteins (LDL) were examined using affinity chromatography. Glycosaminoglycans from small (diameter < 5 mm) and large (diameter 11-20 mm) follicles were isolated from follicular fluid. The dermatan sulphate or heparan sulphate from small or large follicles was applied to Fn-, Lm- or LDL-Sepharose columns. Portions of each fraction of the bound or unbound GAG were then subjected to gel filtration h.p.l.c. for quantification. The binding interaction between dermatan sulphate and fibronectin was significantly greater than between heparan sulphate and fibronectin (P < 0.05); the binding interaction between GAGs from small follicles and fibronectin was significantly greater than between GAGs from large follicles (P < 0.05). The binding interaction between GAGs from small follicles and laminin was significantly greater than for GAGs from large follicles (P < 0.05). Dermatan sulphate from small follicles bound to fibronectin (42%), laminin (36%) and LDL (14%) and that from large follicles bound to fibronectin (14%), laminin (23%) and LDL (14%). Heparan sulphate from small follicles bound to fibronectin (17%), laminin (15%) and that from large follicles bound to fibronectin (13%), laminin (10%) and LDL (6%). These results suggest that dermatan sulphate, but not heparan sulphate, from follicles at different stages of development exhibit a varied ability to interact with components of the ECM. Both substances bound to LDL comparably in small amounts.