Molecular shuttle between extracellular and cytoplasmic space allows for monitoring of GAG biosynthesis in human articular chondrocytes

► Glycopeptides function as a molecular shuttle to hijack GAG biosynthetic pathway. ► Glycopeptides were incorporated into human articular chondrocytes. ► GAG-primed glycopeptides were enriched by mAb and characterized by HPLC and ESI-MS. ► Glycopeptides activated cell proliferation and production of type II collagen. ► This protocol allowed for real-time monitoring of GAG synthesis by culture cells.