Dermatan Sulfate is a complex compound found in the human body. It is composed of different types of sugars and sulfuric acid. The word "Dermatan" is spelled as dɜːrmətən, with stress on the first syllable "der". The "a" in the second syllable is pronounced as "uh". "Sulfate" is pronounced as sʌlfeɪt, with stress on the first syllable "sul". The "a" in the second syllable is pronounced as "ey" and the "t" is silent. This spelling may appear challenging, but it is crucial for scientific communication and research.
Dermatan sulfate is a type of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) that is found abundantly in the extracellular matrix of connective tissues in humans and animals. It is a complex carbohydrate molecule composed of repeating disaccharide units, which consist of N-acetyl galactosamine and L-iduronic acid.
The presence of dermatan sulfate is crucial for the structure and function of various tissues in the body, particularly in the skin, blood vessels, and cartilage. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the elasticity and integrity of connective tissues by binding to and interacting with proteins, such as fibronectin and collagen.
In addition to its structural role, derma
The word Dermatan comes from the combination of the Greek words derma meaning skin and -an which is a suffix denoting a substance. Sulfate is derived from the Latin word sulfur meaning sulfur or brimstone, which in turn comes from the Sanskrit word sulvere meaning sulfur. The term sulfate refers to the chemical compound that consists of a sulfur atom bonded to four oxygen atoms. Therefore, Dermatan Sulfate refers to a substance that contains a sulfate group attached to the skin.