Abstract
The cell walls of fungi are composed of glycoproteins, chitin, and α- and β-glucans. Although there are many reports on β-glucans, α-glucan polysaccharides are not yet fully understood. This review characterizes the physicochemical properties and functions of (1→3)-α-d-glucans. Particular attention has been paid to practical application and the effect of glucans in various respects, taking into account unfavourable effects and potential use. The role of α-glucans in plant infection has been proven, and collected facts have confirmed the characteristics of Aspergillus fumigatus infection associated with the presence of glucan in fungal cell wall. Like β-glucans, there are now evidence that α-glucans can also stimulate the immune system. Moreover, α-d-glucans have the ability to induce mutanases and can thus decompose plaque.
Highlights
Glucans are glucose polymers and are, classified as polysaccharides
Komarova et al have used the relationship between the presence of (1→3)-α-d-glucan and the virulence in Aspergillus fumigatus in practice. They synthesized a pentasaccharide and neoglycoconjugates, which are related to α-glucan. This discovery will be used in the future to develop a diagnostic test system and vaccine to detect and combat this pathogen [83]
This review complements and systematizes existing knowledge of (1→3)-α-d-glucans, especially in terms of their application and function. (1→3)-α-glucans are glucose polymers with 1,3- glycosidic bonds, but 1,4- and 1,6-bonds can be found in small amounts
Summary
Glucans are glucose polymers and are, classified as polysaccharides. their simple composition might be taken as indicative of an uncomplicated construction, differences can be found among glucans in terms of the anomeric configuration of glucose units and glycosidic linkages (sequence and position), the type and degree of bond branching and molecular size [1]. According to Beauvais, Bozza, and (2013) [58], deletion of the three genes results in a lack of (1→3)-α-d-glucans in fungal wall cells but Kniemeyer (2013) [58], deletion of the three genes results in a lack of (1 3)-α-D-glucans in fungal no reduction in growth of the fungi These mutant fungi are less pathogenic than the strain without modification. It does not cause masking or anchoring of the cell wall surface molecules, which is probably what causes pathogenicity For this reason, there are differences in the virulence of different species of pathogenic fungi; absence of the α-glucan synthetase gene does not reduce the virulence of the mutant when compared to the native strain [57]. This discovery will be used in the future to develop a diagnostic test system and vaccine to detect and combat this pathogen [83]
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