Kinetic theory of Hyaluronan cleavage by Bovine Testicular Hyaluronidase in Standard and Crowded Environments
Abstract
Background Details of the kinetic pathways governing enzymatic cleavage of hyaluronic acid (HA) by hyaluronidase are still widely uncharted. Capillary electrophoresis-based assays were used for accurate quantification of enzymatic products. A crowding agent was also employed to mimic excluded-volume constraints typical of in-vivo conditions. Scope Introduce a comprehensive kinetic model describing the late-stage degradation of HA by hyaluronidase and identify the relevant kinetic pathways and the associated rates. Major Conclusions All relevant fragmentation and transglycosylation pathways and rates were identified. Two dimers forming a tetramer is the dominant recombination pathway. Macromolecular and self-crowding slow down the kinetics but do not alter the underlying mechanisms. General Significance Our results bring a novel and comprehensive quantitative insight into enzymatic HA degradation. Rationalizing the effect of crowding brings the intricate conditions of in-vivo settings a little closer, and also stands as a powerful tool to pinpoint relevant kinetic pathways in complex systems.