title: Evidence for a glycosidic linkage between chitin and glucan in the cell wall of Candida albicans.
abstract: The alkali-insoluble glucan was isolated from regenerating spheroplasts and intact cells of Candida albicans. Sequential enzymic hydrolysis of this fraction by Zymolyase 100T and purified chitinase and subsequent gel filtration produced a fraction which was enriched in glycosaminoglycans. This fraction was analysed by partial acid hydrolysis, TLC and GLC-MS. The GLC-MS peaks identified included 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-methylglucitol acetate and 2,3,4-tri-O-methylglucitol acetate of beta-1,6-glucan and the 3,6-di-O-methyl-2-N-methylglucosaminitol acetate of chitin. In addition, 3-O-methyl-2-N-methylglucosaminitol acetate was identified, which indicated a branch point in chitin. These data provide evidence for a covalent linkage between chitin and beta-(1,6)-glucan through a glycosidic linkage at position 6 of N-acetylglucosamine and position 1 of the glucose in the glucan.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Oral Biology Unit, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Surarit
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Gopal
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Shepherd
mesh_terms: D002176:Candida albicans / Q000378:metabolism*; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D002686:Chitin / Q000378:metabolism*; D005936:Glucans / Q000378:metabolism*; D006027:Glycosides / Q000378:metabolism; D006868:Hydrolysis; D013104:Spheroplasts / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005936:Glucans; D006027:Glycosides; C033671:epiglucan; D002686:Chitin