Glucan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Glycan.
A glucan molecule is a polysaccharide of D-glucose monomers,[1] linked by glycosidic bonds.
Many beta-glucans are medically important. They represent a drug target for antifungal medications of the echinocandin class.
Types
The following are glucans: (The α- and β- and numbers clarify the type of O-glycosidic bond.)
Alpha
Main article: Alpha glucan
- dextran, α-1,6-glucan with α-1,3-branches
- glycogen, α-1,4- and α-1,6-glucan
- pullulan, α-1,4- and α-1,6-glucan
- starch, α-1,4- and α-1,6-glucan
Beta
- cellulose, β-1,4-glucan
- chrysolaminarin, β-1,3-glucan
- curdlan, β-1,3-glucan
- laminarin, β-1,3- and β-1,6-glucan
- lentinan, a strictly purified β-1,6:β-1,3-glucan from Lentinus edodes
- lichenin, β-1,3- and β-1,4-glucan
- pleuran, β-1,3- and β-1,6-glucan isolated from Pleurotus ostreatus
- zymosan, β-1,3-glucan
Properties
Properties of Glucans include resistance to oral acids/enzyme and water insolubility.Glucans extracted from grains tend to be both soluble and insoluble.
See also
References
- ↑ Glucans at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
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