Microbial polysaccharides with actual potential industrial applications

The microbial polysaccharides reviewed include xanthan gum, scleroglucan, PS-10, PS-21 and PS-53 gums, polysaccharides from Alcaligenes sp., PS-7 gum, gellan gum, curdlan, bacterial alginate, dextran, pullulan, Baker's Yeast Glycan, 6-deoxy-hexose-containing polysaccharides and bacterial cellulose. Factors limiting the commercial potential of certain microbial polysaccharides such as availability, rheological properties, and polyvalency are outlined. The polysaccharides are classified according to their uses as viscosity-increasing agents and as gelling agents. A third category includes polysaccharides with specific applications such as tailor-made dextran and pullulan and polysaccharides used as substrates for the preparation of rare sugars. The difficulties encountered in development of a polysaccharide at the industrial level are pointed out.     

药用昆虫多糖的研究进展

中医以昆虫入药,在两千多年里积累了丰富的临床经验。近年来,随着天然药物研究技术不断的发展,昆虫多糖的生物学活性被不断发现,人们对于药用昆虫多糖的研究也越来越广泛和深入。本综述通过查阅近年来有关药用昆虫多糖的资料文献,从提取分离、结构研究、药理活性三个方面总结、分析了近年来有关药用昆虫多糖的研究成果,希望可以为相关研究人员提供借鉴。目前,昆虫多糖提取分离的方法包括水提醇沉法、碱液提取法和酶解法。尽管药用昆虫多糖的结构研究报道较少,但已发现,昆虫多糖的结构比植物多糖和真菌多糖更复杂,大多为蛋白聚糖,组成的单糖种类较多。昆虫多糖具有多种药理活性,在免疫调节、抗氧化、抗肿瘤、抗血栓及抗过敏等方面作用突出。     

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.     

多糖高级结构解析方法的研究进展

研究发现,多糖的生物活性不仅与其一级结构（如分支度、单糖组成及糖苷键连接方式等）有关,而且与其空间结构也密不可分。 因此,对多糖高级结构的研究将有助于阐释其构效关系,为寻找具有生物活性的多糖和开发多糖药物提供理论依据。传统的多糖结构分 析方法具有一定的局限性,已不能满足多糖研究的需求,而现代物理技术的发展则为多糖高级结构解析提供了新的手段。综述近年来多 糖高级结构解析方法的研究进展。     

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     

Polysaccharide lyases: recent developments as biotechnological tools

Polysaccharide lyases, which are polysaccharide cleavage enzymes, act mainly on anionic polysaccharides. Produced by prokaryote and eukaryote organisms, these enzymes degrade (1,4) glycosidic bond by a beta elimination mechanism and have unsaturated oligosaccharides as major products. New polysaccharides are cleaved only by their specific polysaccharide lyases. From anionic polysaccharides controlled degradations, various biotechnological applications were investigated. This review catalogues the degradation of bacterial, plant and animal polysaccharides (neutral and anionic) by this family of carbohydrate acting enzymes.     

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.     

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.     

Preparation and Antioxidant Activity of Acetylated Mung Bean Peel Polysaccharides

Mung bean peel polysaccharides are one of the main active components in mung bean peel. Acetylated mung bean peel polysaccharides were prepared by extracting and acetylating them, and characterized by infrared and ultraviolet methods to preliminarily understand the structural characteristics and activity of acetylated mung bean peel polysaccharides. Acetylation modification can improve the structure of polysaccharides, thereby causing changes in their properties. The product obtained after acetylation modification exhibited new characteristic absorption peaks at 1732 cm⁻¹, and the scavenging ability of hydroxyl radicals was improved. Therefore, acetylation modification of mung bean peel polysaccharides could enhance the activity by improving the structure, which provided an experimental basis for the application of mung bean peel polysaccharides.     

抗补体活性多糖

补体系统在宿主免疫中具有重要的作用。近年来,由某些中药中纯化的多糖具有明显的抗补体作用。这些多糖大多数含有阿拉伯糖、半乳糖和半乳糖醛酸,分子量范围6.000到500.000。它们的结构很复杂,多为具聚鼠李半乳糖醛酸结构中心的酸性杂多糖和果胶类多糖。这些多糖的抗补体活性可能和整个大分子的结构有关。一旦发生降解活性就大为下降甚至消失。它们都可以经典的方式激活补体系统。大部分也可以改变的方式激活补体系统。     

Characterization of the cell-wall polysaccharides of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves.

The cell-wall polysaccharides of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves have been isolated, purified, and characterized. The primary cell walls of all higher plants that have been studied contain cellulose, the three pectic polysaccharides homogalacturonan, rhamnogalacturonan I and rhamnogalacturonan II, the two hemicelluloses xyloglucan and glucuronoarabinoxylan, and structural glycoproteins. The cell walls of Arabidopsis leaves contain each of these components and no others that we could detect, and these cell walls are remarkable in that they are particularly rich in phosphate buffer-soluble polysaccharides (34% of the wall). The pectic polysaccharides of the purified cell walls consist of rhamnogalacturonan I (11%), rhamnogalacturonon II (8%), and homogalacturonan (23%). Xyloglucan (XG) accounts for 20% of the wall, and the oligosaccharide fragments generated from XG by endoglucanase consist of the typical subunits of other higher plant XGs. Glucuronoarabinoxylan (4%), cellulose (14%) and protein (14%) account for the remainder of the wall. Except for the phosphate buffer-soluble pectic polysaccharides, the polysaccharides of Arabidopsis leaf cell walls occur in proportions similar to those of other plants. The structure of the Arabidopsis cell-wall polysaccharides are typical of those of many other plants.     

多糖修饰物及其抗肿瘤作用机制研究

多糖是指一类由十个以上单糖分子通过糖苷键连接而成的糖类物质,因其具有许多重要的生物学活性而备受关注,这其中最为突出的是其在抗肿瘤方面所表现出的效用。目前多糖抗肿瘤方面的主要研究课题集中在如何进一步提高多糖的抗肿瘤活性上。对多糖分子进行结构上的修饰能够使其抗肿瘤的活性得到一定程度地提高。本文对常见的多糖修饰方法,如硫酸化、羧甲基化、磷酸化、硒化、乙酰化等进行了总结,对经修饰后所得产物的抗肿瘤作用的不同机制进行了阐述,并对多糖化学修饰物的应用前景进行了展望,为未来多糖的开发与利用提供一定的理论依据。     

真菌多糖抗肿瘤及免疫调节作用研究进展

真菌多糖被认为是目前最有开发前途的保健食品和药品的新资源之一,对真菌多糖的生物活性研究也是保健食品功能因子中最为炽热的研究热点。本文综述了近年来国内外真菌多糖抗肿瘤及免疫调节作用的研究进展。     

Study of Colloidal Polysaccharides Produced by Iron Oxidizing Bacteria Leptospirillum ferriphilum CC

Iron and sulfur oxidizing bacteria produce capsular and colloidal extracellular polymeric substances. The properties and functional role of capsular polysaccharides are well studied. However, colloidal polysaccharides produced by iron oxidizing bacteria have not been sufficiently explored. In this paper, the physical and chemical properties of colloidal polysaccharides produced by the iron oxidizing bacterial isolate Leptospirillum ferriphilum CC have been studied. Colloidal polysaccharides were extracted and further investigated by optical polarized microscopy and analytical programs (LobVIEW15 and NOVA) that allowed determining the size, changes in shape, perimeter, degree of hydration, and crystallization of polysaccharides. Computer modeling of the experimental data has revealed that polysaccharides concentration does not contribute to the size of colloids but influence the number of particles.     

Changes in Morphology of J774.1 Macrophage-like Cells and Release of Prostaglandin E2 Induced by Bacterial Acidic Polysaccharides

In an attempt to finding polysaccharides with immunostimulating activity, we isolated 14 bacteria that produced polysaccharides from soil. The polysaccharides produced by these bacteria and by strains kept in this laboratory and commercial polysaccharides were tested for ability to activate J774.1 macrophage-like mouse cells. Acidic polysaccharides, especially those from the newly isolated bacteria, induced spreading of the cells and release of prostaglandin E₂ from the cells, which are manifestations of a state of activation. The prostaglandin E₂-releasing activity of the polysaccharides was 1/10 to 1/20 on a weight basis of that of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide, a potent immunostimulant.     

Rhizobial exopolysaccharides: genetic control and symbiotic functions

Specific complex interactions between soil bacteria belonging to Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Mesorhizobium, Phylorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium and Azorhizobium commonly known as rhizobia, and their host leguminous plants result in development of root nodules. Nodules are new organs that consist mainly of plant cells infected with bacteroids that provide the host plant with fixed nitrogen. Proper nodule development requires the synthesis and perception of signal molecules such as lipochitooligosaccharides, called Nod factors that are important for induction of nodule development. Bacterial surface polysaccharides are also crucial for establishment of successful symbiosis with legumes. Sugar polymers of rhizobia are composed of a number of different polysaccharides, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), capsular polysaccharides (CPS or K-antigens), neutral β-1, 2-glucans and acidic extracellular polysaccharides (EPS). Despite extensive research, the molecular function of the surface polysaccharides in symbiosis remains unclear.     

Immunology of bacterial polysaccharide antigens

Carbohydrates in the form of capsular polysaccharides and/or lipopolysaccharides are the major components on the surface of bacteria. These molecules are important virulence factors in many bacteria isolated from infected persons. Immunity against these components confers protection against the disease. However, developing vaccines based on polysaccharides is difficult and several problems have to be solved. First of all, most of the bacterial polysaccharides are T-lymphocyte independent antigens. Anti-polysaccharide immune response is characterised by lack of T-lymphocyte memory, isotype restriction and delayed ontogeny. Children below 2 years of age and elderly respond poorly to polysaccharide antigens. Secondly, the wide structural heterogeneity among the polysaccharides within and between species is also a problem. Thirdly, some bacterial polysaccharides are poor immunogens in humans due to their structural similarities with glycolipids and glycoproteins present in man. The T-lymphocyte independent nature of a polysaccharide may be overcome by conjugating the native or depolymerised polysaccharide to a protein carrier. Such neoglycoconjugates have been proven to be efficient in inducing T-lymphocyte dependent immunity and to protect both infants as well as elderly from disease. Another approach to circumvent the T-lymphocyte independent property of polysaccharides is to select peptides mimicking the immunodominant structures. Several examples of such peptides have been described.     

Fungal enzyme sets for plant polysaccharide degradation

Enzymatic degradation of plant polysaccharides has many industrial applications, such as within the paper, food, and feed industry and for sustainable production of fuels and chemicals. Cellulose, hemicelluloses, and pectins are the main components of plant cell wall polysaccharides. These polysaccharides are often tightly packed, contain many different sugar residues, and are branched with a diversity of structures. To enable efficient degradation of these polysaccharides, fungi produce an extensive set of carbohydrate-active enzymes. The variety of the enzyme set differs between fungi and often corresponds to the requirements of its habitat. Carbohydrate-active enzymes can be organized in different families based on the amino acid sequence of the structurally related catalytic modules. Fungal enzymes involved in plant polysaccharide degradation are assigned to at least 35 glycoside hydrolase families, three carbohydrate esterase families and six polysaccharide lyase families. This mini-review will discuss the enzymes needed for complete degradation of plant polysaccharides and will give an overview of the latest developments concerning fungal carbohydrate-active enzymes and their corresponding families.     

Characterization of polysaccharides isolated from maple syrup

Seven high molecular weight polysaccharides, including a dextran, four hydroxyprolyl-containing arabinogalactans, a rhamnogalacturonan, and another fraction rich in fucosyl, glucosyl, mannosyl and xylosyl residues, have been identified as components of maple syrup. The glycosyl-linkage compositions of several of these polysaccharides are similar to those of plant cell wall polysaccharides.     

Carrageenans from tetrasporic and cystocarpic chondrus canaliculatus

Hot water extraction of tetrasporangial and cystocarpic plants of Chondrus canaliculatus afforded carrageenan-type polysaccharides. Hydrolysis, methanolysis and fractionation with KCl analyses showed no remarkable differences between the polysaccharides from the two nuclear phases. The results obtained on fractionation are indicative of the hybrid nature of these polysaccharides.