Background
Chondroitin sulfate synthases (CHSYs) synthesize chondroitin sulfate, a glycosaminoglycan expressed on the surface of most cells and in extracellular matrices. Glycosaminoglycan chains are covalently linked to various of core protein families and regulate many biologic processes, including extracellular matrix deposition, cell proliferation and recognition, and morphogenesis. The CHSY family includes CHSY1, CHSY2 and CHSY3. CHSY1 and CHSY3 display both glucuronyltransferase and N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase activities, while CHSY2 is required for chondroitin polymerizing activity. CHSY2 localizes to the Golgi apparatus and is expressed ubiquitously, with highest expression observed in pancreas, ovary, brain, heart, skeletal muscle, colon, kidney, liver, stomach, small intestine and placenta.