革兰氏阳性菌荚膜多糖研究进展*

细菌的荚膜多糖是生物膜的重要组成部分,在细菌的生长分裂、维持细胞壁形态、抵御外界环境以及免疫反应等方面都起到重要作用。在致病菌中,荚膜多糖常作为一种毒力因子发挥作用。在革兰氏阳性菌中,荚膜多糖的化学结构、生物合成过程及功能应用越来越受到关注。讨论了革兰氏阳性菌中部分致病菌的荚膜多糖与非致病菌表面多糖的分布位置、化学组成及其结构特异性。重点讨论三种具有代表性的革兰氏阳性致病菌及非致病菌株:肺炎链球菌(Streptococcus pneumonia)、金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)及乳酸乳球菌(Lactococcus lactis)。综述革兰氏阳性菌中荚膜多糖生物合成的三种方式:Wzx/Wzy-依赖通路、ABC转运蛋白(ABC transporter)途径及合酶依赖途径,并举例解释了相应多糖的合成过程及相关基因。介绍了革兰氏阳性菌荚膜多糖及表面多糖的生理功能,如屏障保护功能、胞间黏附功能以及参与宿主细胞的免疫反应等。结合荚膜多糖的生物学功能,概述其当前主要研究进展,如构建高耐受工程菌疫苗研制等。结合细菌荚膜多糖的特征差异,对其在医药与工业生产领域的广阔前景提出展望和建议。     

Biosynthesis of beta-glucans in fungi.

Glucans are the most abundant polysaccharides present in fungi. The present review provides updated information on the structure and synthesis of beta-glucans in fungal cells. Synthesis of these polymers made up of B1,3 chains with a variable degree of B1,6 branching involves several reactions: initiation, chain elongation and branching, of which the most studied one is the elongation step. This reaction, catalyzed by the so-called glucan synthetases, utilizes UDPG as sugar donor. Properties of glucan synthetases are extremely variable depending on the fungal species, and their developmental stage. Because of the importance of these polysaccharides it is anticipated that comprehension of their mechanism of synthesis, is important for the understanding of cell wall assembly and cell growth and morphogenesis, as well as for the design of specific antifungal drugs.     

Recent advances in the understanding of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus fumigatus</Emphasis> cell wall

Over the past several decades, research on the synthesis and organization of the cell wall polysaccharides of Aspergillus fumigatus has expanded our knowledge of this important fungal structure. Besides protecting the fungus from environmental stresses and maintaining structural integrity of the organism, the cell wall is also the primary site for interaction with host tissues during infection. Cell wall polysaccharides are important ligands for the recognition of fungi by the innate immune system and they can mediate potent immunomodulatory effects. The synthesis of cell wall polysaccharides is a complicated process that requires coordinated regulation of many biosynthetic and metabolic pathways. Continuous synthesis and remodeling of the polysaccharides of the cell wall is essential for the survival of the fungus during development, reproduction, colonization and invasion. As these polysaccharides are absent from the human host, these biosynthetic pathways are attractive targets for antifungal development. In this review, we present recent advances in our understanding of Aspergillus fumigatus cell wall polysaccharides, including the emerging role of cell wall polysaccharides in the host-pathogen interaction.     

Compositional studies on succinoglycan-like extracellular water-soluble Rhizobium polysaccharides

This study reports structural information on extracellular, water-soluble polysaccharides from 5 different strains of Rhizobium, viz. R. trifolii J60, R. meliloti J1017, 202, 204 and 207. All the 5 polysaccharides had glucose and galactose in approximate molar ratio of 7:1. Methylation analysis revealed that the polysaccharides contained (1 leads to 3), (1 leads to 6), (1 leads to 4), (1 leads to 4, 1 leads to 6)-linked D-glucose residues, (1 leads to 3)-linked D-galactose and non-reducing terminal D-glucose attached to pyruvate. This structure was found to be exactly the same as that of succinoglycan, a succinic acid containing water-soluble polysaccharide elaborated by Alcaligenes faecalis var. myxogenes 10C3. The similarity of the structure of polysaccharides of two different Rhizobium species and also to the polysaccharide produced by Alcaligenes are discussed in terms of host specificity.     

Biotechnical modification of carbohydrates

Abstract: An overview is given of various biotechnical carbohydrate modifications. Fermentation and bioconversion processes, based on carbohydrate substrates for production of mono-, di- and oligosaccharides and the microbial synthesis of various useful polysaccharides are discussed as well as the microbial/enzymatic hydrolysis of polysaccharides into valuable oligomers or di- and monomeric sugars.     

植物多糖的凹形结构与生物活性关系

简述了植物多糖的生物活性与结构 ,讨论了植物多糖的生物活性与结构的关系 ,提出了凹形结构是多糖产生生物活性的基础     

Biosynthesis of β-glucans in fungi

Glucans are the most abundant polysaccharides present in fungi. The present review provides updated information on the structure and synthesis of -glucans in fungal cells. Synthesis of these polymers made up of B1,3 chains with a variable degree of B1,6 branching involves several reactions: initiation, chain elongation and branching, of which the most studied one is the elongation step. This reaction, catalyzed by the so-called glucan synthetases, utilizes UDPG as sugar donor. Properties of glucan synthetases are extremely variable depending on the fungal species, and their developmental stage. Because of the importance of these polysaccharides it is anticipated that comprehension of their mechanism of synthesis, is important for the understanding of cell wall assembly and cell growth and morphogenesis, as well as for the design of specific antifungal drugs.Abreviations UDPG uridine-diphospho-glucose - GDPG guanosine-diphospho-glucose - ADPG adenosine-diphospho-glucose - MW molecular weight - mic minimal inhibitory concentration - d.p. degree of polymerization - PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate     

Gravity resistance, another graviresponse in plants--function of anti-gravitational polysaccharides]

The involvement of anti-gravitational polysaccharides in gravity resistance, one of two major gravity responses in plants, was discussed. In dicotyledons, xyloglucans are the only cell wall polysaccharides, whose level, molecular size, and metabolic turnover were modified under both hypergravity and microgravity conditions, suggesting that xyloglucans act as anti-gravitational polysaccharides. In monocotyledonous Poaceae, (1-->3),(1-->4)-beta glucans, instead of xyloglucans, were shown to play a role as anti-gravitational polysaccharides. These polysaccharides are also involved in plant responses to other environmental factors, such as light and temperature, and to some phytohormones, such as auxin and ethylene. Thus, the type of anti-gravitational polysaccharides is different between dicotyledons and Poaceae, but such polysaccharides are universally involved in plant responses to environmental and hormonal signals. In gravity resistance, the gravity signal may be received by the plasma membrane mechanoreceptors, transformed and transduced within each cell, and then may modify the processes of synthesis and secretion of the anti-gravitational polysaccharides and the cell wall enzymes responsible for their degradation, as well as the apoplastic pH, leading to the cell wall reinforcement. A series of events inducing gravity resistance are quite independent of those leading to gravitropism.     

Antitumor properties of nonstarch polysaccharides: Fucoidans and chitosans

This review deals with the pharmacology of nonstarch polysaccharides, namely fucoidans and chitosans, isolated from marine organisms. The work summarizes information from the international literature on the antitumor activities of native polysaccharides and their derivatives. The structures and physicochemical properties of these polysaccharides are described and the molecular mechanisms of their antitumor and antimetastatic effects are discussed.     

Biologically active polysaccharides as possible lead compounds

Various carbohydrate polymers have during the last decades been shown to be responsible for biological effects, either by exhibiting the effect themselves or by inducing effects via complex reaction cascades. These are e.g. anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating, complement activation, antithrombotic, antidiabetic and infection protectant. Modern pharmaceutical industry has extensive research programs where the aim is to obtain information on traditional use of medicinal plants still being in use, and perform screening of these for the claimed biological activity and follow the isolation of chemical compounds with the relevant activity tests, but few of the programs focus on polysaccharides. Various plants have been used for treating wounds of different types, both internally and externally and bioassay guided isolation of active compounds in these plants showed that in many cases, polysaccharides were responsible for the biological activity. Many of these polysaccharide fractions have been shown to activate complement. The active compounds studied are often of the pectic type, but acetylated glucomannans and glucans are also among those having the same kind of effect and certain structure/activity relationships of these polysaccharides is discussed. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Sulfated polysaccharides and their anticoagulant activity: A review

Published data on the sulfated polysaccharides of various origins that display an anticoagulant activity are summarized and analyzed. The methods used for producing semisynthetic derivatives are considered. A key role of the polysaccharide structure in the mechanisms of specific interaction with various blood plasma proteinases is discussed. The effects of the content and location of sulfate groups in polysaccharides and their molecular weight on the degree of the studied activity are assessed.     

Cell wall analysis

The cell wall is a rigid structure essential for survival of the fungal cell. Because of its absence in mammalian cells, the cell wall is an attractive target for antifungal agents. Thus, for different reasons, it is important to know how the cell wall is synthesized and how different molecules regulate that synthesis. The Schizosaccharomyces pombe cell wall is mainly formed by glucose polysaccharides and some galactomannoproteins. Here, we describe a fast and reliable method to analyze changes in S. pombe cell wall composition by using specific enzymatic degradation and chemical treatment of purified cell walls. This approach provides a powerful means to analyze changes in (1,3)beta-glucan and (1,3)alpha-glucan, two main polysaccharides present in fungal cell walls. Analysis of cell wall polymers will be useful to search for new antifungal drugs that may inhibit cell wall biosynthesis and/or alter cell wall structure.     

Mechanisms of bioadhesion of macrophytic algae

During the evolution the benthic macrophytic algae developed effective mechanisms of bioadhesion enabling their attachment to almost any surface in the aqueous medium. The attachment of algal spores and zygotes includes two successive stages: the primary and the secondary (final) adhesion. Analysis of information on the composition of adhesive materials and attachment mechanisms in brown, green, and red marine macrophytes indicates that synthesis and release of adhesive substances by algal cells can be considered as a temporary intensification of cell wall synthesis. The structure of the primary adhesive material comprises a gel phase (alginate, ulvan, and agar gels) and a structuring component, i.e., a flexible network based on branched chains and/or rings of phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, or glycoproteins. Irreversible hardening of the primary adhesive material arises from phenol polymerization catalyzed by different peroxidases (brown algae) or from polymerization of glycoproteins comprising amino acids with phenolic residues (red algae). In parallel with these processes, covalent cross-links are being formed between the adhesive structural components and the gel phase polysaccharides. This results in the formation of the secondary adhesive and in eventual attachment of the organism to the substrate. The attachment mechanisms of benthic algae appear to have some features in common with the mechanisms of bioadhesion of marine invertebrates.     

Host-Symbiont Interactions : V. THE STRUCTURE OF ACIDIC EXTRACELLULAR POLYSACCHARIDES SECRETED BY RHIZOBIUM LEGUMINOSARUM AND RHIZOBIUM TRIFOLII

The sequence of the glycosyl residues and the anomeric configurations of the glycosyl linkages of the acidic polysaccharides secreted by Rhizobium leguminosarum 128c53, Rhizobium leguminosarum 128c63, Rhizobium trifolii NA30, and Rhizobium trifolii 0403 have been determined. All four polysaccharides were found to have the following glycosyl repeating-unit structure, where galactosyl is Gal, glucosyl is Glc, glucuronosyl is GlcA, and pyruvyl is Pyr: [Formula: see text] Each of the glycosyl residues of these polysaccharides was determined to be in the d configuration and in the pyranose ring form. These results add support to the proposal that R. leguminosarum and R. trifolii have a particularly close genetic relationship. The significance of these results with regard to the possible function of these polysaccharides in the nodulation process is discussed.     

A unified theory for estimation of cardiac output, volumes of distribution and renal clearance from indicator dilution curves.

The assembly of cellular structures is considered to be a linear process that begins with the synthesis of structural molecules. At various points during assembly, additional genetic information may be required for proper assembly. Based on the location of genetic information expression during assembly, structure biogenesis can be grouped into four categories: (1) those which require only information for the synthesis of structural macromolecules; (2) those which require information for the post-translational modification of precursor structural macromolecules; (3) those which require genetic information for the actual assembly step; and (4) those which require information for post-assembly modification of the structure. Examples are given to illustrate and document each of these types of assembly reactions. Further, the usefulness of this scheme for understanding intracellular and extracellular assembly processes is discussed.     

Cell wall functions in growth and development —a physical and chemical point of view

The plant cell changes its cell wall architecture during growth and development through synthesis and degradation of wall polysaccharides. Changes of chemical components in the cell wall include not only the synthesis and degradation but also the shift of molecular-weight distribution of certain species of the component polysaccharides. The changes in chemical structure, in turn lead to alteration of physical properties of the cell wall. Changes of physical parameters of cell walls obtained by a physical method accord with the biochemical degradation of polysaccharides. The changes in chemical structures of the cell wall are regulated by plant hormones, stress signals and gene expression. The physical and chemical studies of the cell wall have disclosed that degradation and/or depolymerization of wall polysaccahrides causes decrease in viscosity of the cell wall, leading further extension of the cell wall even under the unchanged osmotic relation. Furthermore, cell walls of outer and inner tissues play different regulatory roles in tissue growth and stem strength was governed by the number of cellulose molecules in the cell wall. Recipient of the Botanical Society Award for Young Scientists, 1990.     

多糖与肠道菌群相互作用及其构效关系研究进展

肠道菌群是一个复杂的生态系统,影响宿主的饮食、疾病发展、药物代谢和免疫系统调节等诸多生理方面。多糖广泛存在于动物、植物及微生物中,具有多种生理活性。肠道菌群与多糖相互作用,消化难以消化的多糖,多糖作为肠道菌群的重要能量来源,促进益生菌增殖。肠道菌群紊乱导致疾病的发生,多糖通过调节肠道菌群改善疾病。随着“人类微生物组计划”的启动和国内外学者对肠道菌群的深入研究,多糖与肠道菌群的关系逐渐清晰,但多糖的结构与肠道菌群之间的关系还有待进一步探究。因此,本文综述了多糖与肠道菌群的相互作用,并通过调节肠道菌群的组成来改善疾病,以及从多糖的分子量、糖苷键、单糖组成三方面探讨多糖与肠道菌群的构效关系,同时对未来研究的方向进行展望,以期为治疗疾病的深入研究提供重要参照和建议。     

Polysaccharide synthesis in relation to nodulation behavior of Rhizobium leguminosarum.

In this study, we characterized four Tn5 mutants derived from Rhizobium leguminosarum RBL5515 with respect to synthesis and secretion of cellulose fibrils, extracellular polysaccharides (EPS), capsular polysaccharides, and cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucans. One mutant, strain RBL5515 exo-344::Tn5, synthesizes residual amounts of EPS, the repeating unit of which lacks the terminal galactose molecule and the substituents attached to it. On basis of the polysaccharide production pattern of strain RBL5515 exo-344::Tn5, the structural features of the polysaccharides synthesized, and the results of an analysis of the enzyme activities involved, we hypothesize that this strain is affected in a galactose transferase involved in the synthesis of EPS only. All four mutants failed to nodulate plants belonging to the pea cross-inoculation group; on Vicia sativa they induced root hair deformation and rare abortive infection threads. All of the mutants appeared to be pleiotropic, since in addition to defects in the synthesis of EPS, lipopolysaccharide, and/or capsular polysaccharides significant increases in the synthesis and secretion of cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucans were observed. We concluded that it is impossible to correlate a defect in the synthesis of a particular polysaccharide with nodulation characteristics.     

The structure, function, and biosynthesis of plant cell wall pectic polysaccharides

Plant cell walls consist of carbohydrate, protein, and aromatic compounds and are essential to the proper growth and development of plants. The carbohydrate components make up ∼90% of the primary wall, and are critical to wall function. There is a diversity of polysaccharides that make up the wall and that are classified as one of three types: cellulose, hemicellulose, or pectin. The pectins, which are most abundant in the plant primary cell walls and the middle lamellae, are a class of molecules defined by the presence of galacturonic acid. The pectic polysaccharides include the galacturonans (homogalacturonan, substituted galacturonans, and RG-II) and rhamnogalacturonan-I. Galacturonans have a backbone that consists of α-1,4-linked galacturonic acid. The identification of glycosyltransferases involved in pectin synthesis is essential to the study of cell wall function in plant growth and development and for maximizing the value and use of plant polysaccharides in industry and human health. A detailed synopsis of the existing literature on pectin structure, function, and biosynthesis is presented.