X-ray-diffraction patterns of hyaluronate fibres from a variety of sources were obtained. Sodium hyaluronate gives well-defined patterns which index on a hexagonal unit cell with dimensions a=1.17+/-nm and a fibre repeat-distance of 2.85+/-0.03nm. A further form of sodium hyaluronate is produced by annealing at 60 degrees C in 75% relative humidity. This stable state indexes on a hexagonal unit...

The sulfated mucopolysaccharide composition of 22 species of invertebrates belonging to the phyla Arthropoda, Mollusca, Annelida, Tunicata, Echinodermata, Coelenterata, and Porifera was analyzed. It is shown that all the species contain variable amounts of one or more types of sulfated mocopolysaccharides, most of which similar to the ones found in vertebrates. It is shown also that each specie...

Polyphosphate of average chain length corresponding to 10 phosphate units was detected in the mycelial extract of zygomycetes. Gel electrophoresis techniques commonly used for the separation and characterization of acidic mucopolysaccharides were successfully used for the detection, purification, and characterization of the polyphosphate.

An acromegalic man aged 70 developed progressive polyneuropathy affecting mainly the extremities. The peripheral nerves showed hypertrophic neuropathy and accumulation of acid mucopolysaccharides in the nerve without `onion bulb' formation. The myelin showed a lamellar disintegration and vesicular formation. It is suggested that the association of these findings represents a pathological entity...