Synthesis of proteochondroitin sulfate by normal, nanomelic, and 5-bromodeoxyuridine-treated chondrocytes in cell culture.

Chondrocytes grown in cell culture from micromelic chick sterna and 5-bromodeoxyuridine-treated normal cells showed reduced incorporation of sulfate into hyaluronidase-sensitive material as compared to normal chondrocytes. Proteochondroitin sulfate synthesized by normal embryonic chick chondrocytes in cell culture was heterogeneous on chromatography. The major chromatographic component was specifically inhibited in normal chondrocytes treated with 5-bromodeoxyuridine, and this component was absent in nanomelic chondrocytes.