Structure of beta-glucan oligomer from laminarin and its effect on human monocytes to inhibit the proliferation of U937 cells.

Abstract

We analyzed the human monocyte-stimulating ability of laminarin from Eisenia bicyclis, lichenan from Cetraria islandica, and their oligomers depolymerized with endo-1,3-beta-glucanase from Arthrobacter sp. The respective beta-glucan oligomers with different degrees of polymerization (DP) were fractionated from hydrolytic products of laminarin and lichenan using gel-filtration chromatography. The monocyte-conditioned medium pre-cultured in the presence of a fraction of beta-glucan oligomer (DP>/=8) from laminarin exhibited inhibitory activity against the proliferation of human myeloid leukemia U937 cells, while those pre-cultured with other beta-glucan oligomers and the original laminarin and lichenan showed little or no activity. NMR analysis indicated that the beta-glucan oligomer (DP>/=8) has an average DP value of 13, and its ratio of beta-1,3- to beta-1,6-linkages in glucopyranose units was estimated to be 1.3:1. These results indicate that the beta-1,3-glucan oligomer with a higher content of beta-1,6-linkage stimulates monocytes to inhibit the proliferation of U937 cells.

• Authors: Zhongcun Pang, Kodo Otaka, Takashi Maoka, Kumi Hidaka, Sumio Ishijima, Masayuki Oda, Masatake Ohnishi
• Journal: Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry (Biosci Biotechnol Biochem) Vol. 69 Issue 3 Pg. 553-8 (Mar 2005) ISSN: 0916-8451 [Print] England
• PMID: 15784984 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biopolymers
• Glucans
• Polysaccharides
• beta-Glucans
• laminaran

Topics

• Biopolymers (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Cell Division (drug effects)
• Glucans
• Humans
• Molecular Structure
• Monocytes (cytology, drug effects)
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
• Polysaccharides (chemistry)
• U937 Cells
• beta-Glucans (chemistry, pharmacology)