Effect of sulfation on the biological activity of β-(1→3)-glucans from the tree fungus Cyttaria harioti Fischer

✍ Scribed by Alicia Fernandez Cirelli; Javier A. Covian; Naohito Ohno; Yoshiyuki Adachi; Toshiro Yadomae

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1989
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 620 KB
• Volume: 190
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0008-6215
• DOI: 10.1016/0008-6215(89)84137-0

✦ Synopsis

Glucans containing p-(1+3)-and -(l-6)-linkages,

present in virtually all fungi, are of interest because of their potential antitumor activityl. Investigations on the chemistry of Cytturiu harioti Fischer [one of the most abundant species among the Argentine Cyttariales (Discomycetes), which grow as obligate parasites on Nothofagus, producing characteristic tumors that infect the tree and finally cause its death*] showed that P-(1+3)+glucans account for -89% of the cell walls3. The primary structure of the major component (H-G) is similar to that of schyzo-phyllan4, scleroglucar9, or grifolan6, all of which have been reported to be antitumor active. Antitumor activity against Sarcoma 180 in mice has been reported for a fructoglucan isolated from Cytmriu johowii 7. This paper is concerned with the effect of sulfation on the antitumor activity of the alkali-soluble glucan (H-G) and its periodate oxidation-Smith-degradation product (H-L). The mitogenic responses of murine spleen cells to the sulfated glucans were also examined.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Glucan H-G consists of a (l-3)-linked P-D-glucose backbone, every second or third residue of which is 6-O-substituted by short branches (one or two glucose residues)s. This primary structure was further confirmed by the 13C-n.m.r. spectrum, which was recorded in alkaline solution because this glucan separates as a uniform gel on neutralization. H-G is the major component of Cytturia hurioti *Research Member of the Consejo National de lnvestigaciones Cientificas y TCcnicas; to whom correspondence should be addressed.