title: Further analysis of the structure and immunological activity of an RG-I type pectin from Panax ginseng.
abstract: In this paper, we further analysed the structure of a type I rhamnogalacturonan (RG-I) pectin (WGPA-2-RG) fractionated from ginseng polysaccharides. Methylation and periodate oxidation analyses showed that WGPA-2-RG has a backbone consisting of alternating rhamnose (Rha) and galacturonic acid (GalA) residues and side chains consisting of type II arabinogalactan (AG-II). Partial acidic hydrolysis for 6h completely removed arabinose (Ara), partial galactose (Gal), but little GalA and Rha. During partial hydrolysis, the molecular weight of WGPA-2-RG decreased smoothly, suggesting that the Ara and cleavable Gal residues exist on the surface of the molecule, while GalA and Rha residues exist in the core of the molecule. The bioactivity assay showed that the arabinogalactan side chains of WGPA-2-RG are essential structures for stimulating NO secretion and lymphocyte proliferation. However, removal of the Ara and Gal residues through hydrolysis did not appreciably affect the ability of WGPA-2-RG to enhance macrophage phagocytosis.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, PR China; College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China.
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, PR China.
authors.forename: Shanshan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, PR China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, PR China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China.
authors.forename: Jingjing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, PR China.
authors.forename: Yuying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China.
authors.forename: Guihua
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tai
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, PR China.
authors.forename: Yifa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008745:Methylation; D051379:Mice; D009499:Neutral Red / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D005894:Panax; D010368:Pectins / Q000737:chemistry*; D010504:Periodic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D014269:Trifluoroacetic Acid / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: C042491:rhamnogalacturonan I; D010504:Periodic Acid; D009499:Neutral Red; D010368:Pectins; C009288:metaperiodate; D014269:Trifluoroacetic Acid