chondroitin

A (muco)polysaccharide (proteoglycan) composed of alternating residues of β-d-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-d-galactosamine sulfate in alternating β(1-3) and β(1-4) linkages; present among the ground substance materials in the extracellular matrix of connective tissue.

- c. sulfate A c. with sulfuric residues esterifying the 4-hydroxyl groups of the galactosamine residues; found in connective tissue.

- c. sulfate B SYN: dermatan sulfate.

- c. sulfate C c. with sulfuric residues esterifying the 6-hydroxyl groups of the galactosamine residues.

* * *

chon·droi·tin kän-'drȯit-ən, -'drō-ət-ən n any of several glycosaminoglycans occurring in sulfated form in various tissues (as cartilage and tendons)