title: Modification of the degree of branching of a beta-(1,3)-glucan affects aggregation behavior and activity in an oxidative burst assay.
abstract: Scleroglucan is a β-(1,3)-glucan which is highly branched at the 6-position with a single glucose residue. Acid hydrolysis of a high molecular weight scleroglucan gave a medium molecular weight, freely soluble material. Linkage analysis by the partially methylated alditol acetate method showed that the solubilized material had 30% branching. When the material was subjected to partial Smith degradations, the percent branching was reduced accordingly to 12% or 17%. After the percent branching was reduced, the average molecular weight of the samples increased considerably, indicating the assembly of higher ordered aggregate structures. An aggregate number distribution analysis was applied to confirm the higher aggregated structures. These aggregated structures gave the material significantly enhanced activity in an in vitro oxidative burst assay compared to the highly branched material.
authors.affiliation: Biothera, 3388 Mike Collins Drive, Eagan, MN, 55121.
authors.forename: Andrew S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Magee
authors.affiliation: Biothera, 3388 Mike Collins Drive, Eagan, MN, 55121.
authors.forename: Ryan R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Langeslay
authors.affiliation: Biothera, 3388 Mike Collins Drive, Eagan, MN, 55121.
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Will
authors.affiliation: Biothera, 3388 Mike Collins Drive, Eagan, MN, 55121.
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Danielson
authors.affiliation: Biothera, 3388 Mike Collins Drive, Eagan, MN, 55121.
authors.forename: Lindsay R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Wurst
authors.affiliation: Biothera, 3388 Mike Collins Drive, Eagan, MN, 55121.
authors.forename: Vanessa A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Iiams
mesh_terms: D001681:Biological Assay; D002449:Cell Aggregation; D005260:Female; D005936:Glucans / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D016897:Respiratory Burst
chemical_list: D005936:Glucans; C045938:scleroglucan
keywords: aggregate number distribution; de-branched; scleroglucan