Chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate metabolism

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG). CS chains are unbranched polysaccharides of varying length containing two alternating monosaccharides: D-glucuronic acid (GlcA) and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc). The chains are usually attached to proteins forming a proteoglycan. CS chains are an important structural component of cartilage due to it's ability to withstand compression. Free CS, produced by hydrolysis of cartilage, is also a widely used dietary supplement for osteoarthritis. When some of the GlcA residues are epimerized into L-iduronic acid (IdoA) the resulting disaccharide is then referred to as dermatan sulfate (DS). DS is the most predominant GAG in skin but is also found in blood vessels, heart valves, tendons, and the lungs. It may play roles in cardiovascular disease, tumorigenesis, infection, wound repair and fibrosis.

Summary from Reactome (R-HSA-1793185), read 2026-09-23.