Intramolecular aglycon delivery for (1 → 2)-β-mannosylation: towards the synthesis of phospholipomannan of Candida albicans

A high yielding method for 1,2-cis-β-D-mannosylation by intra-molecular aglycon delivery (IAD) through p-methoxy benzyl ether/acetal exchange and phenylsulfoxide donor is reported, along with its application in iterative assembly of antigenic (1 → 2)-β-pentamannoside domain of phospholipomannan (PLM) of fungal pathogen Candida albicans.     

Morphology and Structure of Crystalline Polysaccharides: Some Recent Studies

Summary: In this paper, we review recent studies on the morphology and molecular structure of some polysaccharide crystals from amylose, cellulose, and mannan. The data were recorded using combinations of imaging, diffraction, and spectroscopic techniques: scanning and transmission electron microscopy, electron, neutron, and X-ray diffraction, as well as ¹³C solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Differences were generally found between native crystals, whose features result from in vivo biogenesis and the recrystallized products prepared in vitro.     

Mannan-Based Nanodiagnostic Agents for Targeting Sentinel Lymph Nodes and Tumors

Early detection of metastasis is crucial for successful cancer treatment. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsies are used to detect possible pathways of metastasis spread. We present a unique non-invasive diagnostic alternative to biopsy along with an intraoperative imaging tool for surgery proven on an in vivo animal tumor model. Our approach is based on mannan-based copolymers synergistically targeting: (1) SLNs and macrophage-infiltrated solid tumor areas via the high-affinity DC-SIGN (dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin) receptors and (2) tumors via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. The polymer conjugates were modified with the imaging probes for visualization with magnetic resonance (MR) and fluorescence imaging, respectively, and with poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) (POX) to lower unwanted accumulation in internal organs and to slow down the biodegradation rate. We demonstrated that these polymer conjugates were successfully accumulated in tumors, SLNs and other lymph nodes. Modification with POX resulted in lower accumulation not only in internal organs, but also in lymph nodes and tumors. Importantly, we have shown that mannan-based polymer carriers are non-toxic and, when applied to an in vivo murine cancer model, and offer promising potential as the versatile imaging agents.     

魔芋精粉中葡甘露聚糖含量检测与SEM分析

采用重量法、分光光度法、薄层色谱法、旋转粘度法等方法对来自于不同产地的15种魔芋精粉样品的葡甘露聚糖含量进行了比较分析.结果表明,分光光度法和薄层色谱法所测数据较为接近,重量法所测数据偏低,常用的粘度分析与实际含量有较大的差异.扫描电镜（SEM）分析结果显示高含量的魔芋精粉样品形貌与一般样品的形貌有很大的不同.     

Immunochemistry of pathogenic yeast, Candida species, focusing on mannan

This review describes recent findings based on structural and immunochemical analyses of the cell wall mannan of Candida albicans, and other medically important Candida species. Mannan has been shown to consist of α-1,2-, α-1,3-, α-1,6-, and β-1,2-linked mannopyranose units with few phosphate groups. Each Candida species has a unique mannan structure biosynthesized by sequential collaboration between species-specific mannosyltransferases. In particular, the β-1,2-linked mannose units have been shown to comprise a characteristic oligomannosyl side chain that is strongly antigenic. For these pathogenic Candida species, cell-surface mannan was also found to participate in the adhesion to the epithelial cells, recognition by innate immune receptors and development of pathogenicity. Therefore, clarification of the precise chemical structure of Candida mannan is indispensable for understanding the mechanism of pathogenicity, and for development of new antifungal drugs and immunotherapeutic procedures.     

Fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis as detection method for carbohydrate-protein interactions

Fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE) is a straight-forward, sensitive method for determining the presence and relative abundance of individual (oligo) saccharide in a(n) (oligo) saccharide mixture. The single terminal aldehydes of (oligo) saccharides were tagged with the charged fluorophore 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonate (ANTS), and separated with high resolution on the basis of size by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. ANTS fluorescence labeling is not biased by (oligo) saccharide length. Therefore, band fluorescence intensity is directly related to the relative abundance of individual (oligo) saccharide moieties in heterogeneous sample. In the same time, it also indicates that FACE can be used to investigate the interactions of carbohydrates and proteins.     

Unraveling the Uptake Mechanisms of Mannan Nanogel in Bone‐Marrow‐Derived Macrophages

The mechanisms associated with the cellular internalization of nanomedicines must be carefully considered when designing drug‐ and vaccine‐delivery systems. The cellular fate and effects of nanomedicines depend to a large extent on the cell uptake routes. A self‐assembled mannan nanogel is developed as a vaccination platform for antigen and adjuvant delivery. The mannan nanogel uptake by murine bone‐marrow‐derived macrophages is found to be time‐, concentration‐, and energy‐dependent, involving mannose‐receptor‐mediated phagocytosis and clathrin‐mediated endocytosis. The nanogel is also visualized in the cytosol suggesting endolysosomal escape. These results indicate that mannan nanogel is a promising versatile carrier for intracellular delivery of vaccines or therapeutic agents.

     

三种多糖的光谱鉴定、化学改性及活性

研究了壳聚糖、茯苓多糖、魔芋甘露聚糖的红外光谱、Ｈ核磁共振光谱。对三种多糖进行了羧甲基化改性,研究了这种化学改性与抗肿瘤等活性的关系。     

Upgrading the Nutritional Value of PKC Using a Bacillus subtilis Derived Monocomponent β-Mannanase

Palm kernel cake (PKC) is an abundant side stream that can only be added to non-ruminant feed in small concentrations due to its content of antinutritional factors, mainly galactomannan, which cannot be digested by non-ruminants. β-mannanases can be added to partially hydrolyze galactomannan to form mannose oligosaccharides, which are known to be prebiotic. We here investigate the action of a β-mannanase from B. subtilis on PKC by colorimetry, NMR and fluorescence microscopy. The amount of mannan oligosaccharides in solution was significantly increased by the β-mannanase and their degree of polymerization (DP) was significantly reduced. There was a dose-response behavior in that larger β-mannanase concentrations increased the amount of soluble mannose oligosaccharides while reducing their average DP. Using confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, solubilization of galactomannan in PKC was clearly visualized. Images show a clear disruption of the cellulose and galactomannan structures of the PKC cell walls. We thus show in this study that using commercial dosages of β-mannanase on PKC can lead to formation of prebiotic compounds. Thus, this study suggests that utilization of PKC in poultry feed formulation might be increased by addition of a β-mannanase and would improve the return on investment.     

Use of specific polysaccharide‐immobilized monodisperse poly(glycidyl methacrylate) core–silica shell microspheres for affinity purification of lectins

Immobilization of polysaccharides (yeast mannan and gum arabic) on the macroporous poly(glycidyl methacrylate) monodisperse microspheres coated with silica (SiO₂)‐containing amino groups on the surface was used to prepare affinity sorbents for lectin purification. The efficiency of isolating mannose specific Pisum sativum lectin was demonstrated on sorbent with immobilized yeast mannan and that of galactose specific Glycine hispida lectin on sorbent with immobilized gum arabic. The microspheres with immobilized polysaccharides can be used for selecting an affinity sorbent for purification of other mannose‐ and galactose‐specific lectins. In contrast to yeast mannan, the gum arabic immobilized on the microspheres possesses much narrower specificity and is suitable for purification of only those galactose specific lectins which interact well with l ‐rhamnose or l ‐arabinose. The synthesized macroporous particles are capable of immobilizing 50 mg of polysaccharide per 1 g of the matrix, which is 10 times higher than the capacity of epoxy‐activated Sepharose 6B. That makes it possible to obtain the same lectin quantity using a column of 10 times smaller volume. Another advantage of novel affinity sorbents comparing corresponding Sepharose gels is the possibility of sorbent drying after use. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.