Glucan Research Articles

Immunopharmacology of glucans

Immunopharmacology of glucans

Glucan as a synergist in the endotoxin-LAL reaction

Glucan as a synergist in the endotoxin-LAL reaction

A highly substituted glucan that coats the seeds of Helipterum eximium

A highly substituted glucan that coats the seeds of Helipterum eximium

Immobilization of Glucan 1,4—α—glucosidase by Entrapment in Alginate Gel

РЕЗЮМЕИзелздвани са възможноститс за включване в алгинатен гел иа предварительно омрежен е полимер снзимен препарат глюкан 1,4-α-глюкозидаза (на фирмата МКС, ФРГ). За омрежването е използван съполимер на венил-метил етер и анхидрид на мелеинавата киселина, като са установени оптималните концентрации на ензима и полимера за получаване на гелове с добра вискозност. При включване на получените ензим-полимерни комплекси в Са-алгинатен гел са получени сферични биокатализатори, съдържащи до 25% от тоталната глюкан 1,4—α—глюкозидазна активност.

Monoclonal antibody-dependent murine macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity against human tumors is stimulated by lentinan.

The beta (1----3) glucan lentinan was tested for its capacity to increase the cytotoxic effect of murine peritoneal macrophages for human tumor cells in the presence of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Activity was maximum in macrophages obtained on day 5 following intraperitoneal injection of CBA mice with 2.5 mg of lentinan per kg body weight. Macrophages stimulated by lentinan were cytotoxic in conjunction with IgG1, IgG2a and IgG3 MAbs, but not with IgG2b, IgM, or IgA MAbs. The demonstration of a similar enhancing effect by lentinan on human macrophages might have implications for potentiating the tumoricidal effect of these macrophages in the presence of tumor antigen-specific MAbs.

Glucan induced production of a specific anti-tumor monocytotoxin (MCT) by macrophages

Glucan induced production of a specific anti-tumor monocytotoxin (MCT) by macrophages

Different local therapeutic effects of various polysaccharides on MH134 hepatoma in mice and its relation to inflammation induced by the polysaccharides.

The local antitumor activities and inflammation-inducing activities of various antitumor polysaccharides were examined and the relation between the two types of activity was studied. The tested antitumor polysaccharides included MG (a mannoglucan prepared from the culture fluid of Microellobosporia grisea), lentinan, bacterial lipopolysaccharide, TAK (a glucan from Alcaligenes faecalis) and their derivatives. Local antitumor activity was tested by intratumoral administration of the polysaccharides 4, 7 and 10 days after inoculation of MH134 hepatoma intradermally (id) into the abdomen of C3H/He mice. MG and its derivatives showed strong local antitumor activity. Inflammation-inducing activity was assayed by measuring foot-pad swelling and accumulation of iv-injected 51Cr-labeled spleen cells after injection of the test materials into the footpads of C3H/He mice. TAK had the strongest inflammation-inducing activity among the polysaccharides tested. No close correlation was found between the local antitumor activity and the inflammation-inducing activity.

Structure of an alkali-soluble polysaccharide from the fruit body of Ganoderma japonicum Lloyd

A water-insoluble glucan (G-A), [α] D 16 + 12.8° ( c 0.4, m sodium hydroxide), was isolated from the alkaline extract of the fruit body of Ganoderma japonicum. G-A was homogeneous as judged by gel filtration, electrophoresis, and ultracentrifugal analysis. The molecular weight and degree of polymerization of G-A were respectively estimated to be 82,000 and 330. The 1H-n.m.r. and i.r. spectra, together with the result of chromium trioxide oxidation, indicated that the glucosidic linkages in G-A have the β- d configuration. From the results of methylation analysis, periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, and partial hydrolysis with acid, it was concluded that G-A is composed of a backbone of β-(1 → 3)-linked d-glucopyranosyl residues, and has side-chains of single, β-(1 → 6)-linked d-glucopyranosyl groups attached, on average, to every 30th residue of the backbone.

THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF STORAGE GLUCANS IN PROKARYOTIC AND EUKARYOTIC ALGAE

THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF STORAGE GLUCANS IN PROKARYOTIC AND EUKARYOTIC ALGAE

Structural examination of antitumour, water-soluble glucans from Grifora umbellata by use of four types of glucanase

Antitumour glucans (GU) from the fungus Grifora umbellata have been subjected to periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, methylation analysis, and treatment with endo-(1→6)-β- d-, endo-(1→3)-β- d-, and exo-(1→3)-β-D-glucanases, and alpha-amylase; the following structural features were revealed. GU-2 contains a backbone involving (1→6)-β- and (1→3)-β linkages, and two kinds of branches involving (1→6)-β and (1 →4)-α linkages. GU-3 has a (1→3)-β-linked backbone and branches involving (1→6)-β linkages or (1→6)-β linkages. GU-4 also contains a (1→3)-β- d-glucan backbone and a small number of (1→6)-β-linked branches. Probable structural units of these glucans are proposed.

Carbohydrate analysis of concanavalin A-reactive and concanavalin A-nonreactive mycobacterial polysaccharides.

Concanavalin A-nonreactive polysaccharide and 2 concanavalin A-reactive polysaccharides of differing concanavalin A affinities that had been purified from culture filtrates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were subjected to carbohydrate analysis by gas and gas-liquid chromatography. Concanavalin A-nonreactive polysaccharide was found to be D-arabinogalactan, and the concanavalin A-reactive polysaccharide of highest affinity was found to be D-arabinomannan. The lower affinity concanavalin A-reactive polysaccharide was rich in arabinose and probably represented a mixture, with more than one polysaccharide present. Glucan was found to be a significant contaminant of all 3 polysaccharides.

Glucan Inhibition of Diffusion in Plaque

Glucan Inhibition of Diffusion in Plaque

Starch-type polysaccharide and mannitol in Platymonas

d-Mannitol and a starch-type glucan were isolated from a Platymonas species.

Degradation of sclerotan, a beta-(1-3)glucan, by enzymes from fungi parasitic on sclerotia.

Degradation of sclerotan, a beta-(1-3)glucan, by enzymes from fungi parasitic on sclerotia.