title: Gelation of Limulus lysate by synthetic dextran derivatives.
abstract: The Limulus test has been considered specific for the presence of bacterial endotoxins. To synthesize a simple model of endotoxin, palmitoyldextran phosphate was prepared by modification of dextran by palmitoylation and phosphorylation. The present studies indicated that a variety of polysaccharide derivatives, such as palmitoyldextran phosphate, palmitoyldextran, and dextran phosphate, give a positive Limulus test and show pyrogenic activity, except for low molecular dextran derivatives. On the other hand, polysaccharides, such as dextran, starch (soluble-, chitosan, xylan, and lentinan, were negative in these assays. The gelation reaction of Limulus lysate by modified dextran derivatives may depend on the molecular weight or modification of polysaccharides by palmitoylation and/or phosphorylation to a great extent.
mesh_terms: D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D003911:Dextrans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004731:Endotoxins; D005782:Gels; D008033:Limulus Test; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011749:Pyrogens; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D004731:Endotoxins; D005782:Gels; D011749:Pyrogens