Analysis of Wall Glucans from Yeast, Hyphal and Germ-tube Forming Cells of Candida albicans

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Abstract
Summary: Acid-soluble and alkali-insoluble glucan fractions were prepared from yeast, hyphal and germ-tube forming cells of Candida albicans. Alkali-insoluble glucan was also extracted from purified yeast cell walls. Paper chromatography of partial acid hydrolysates confirmed that the glucan preparations contained β(1→3)- and β(1→6)-chains but no mixed intra-chain β(1→3)/(1→6) linkages. Methylation and 13C-NMR analyses showed that the acid-soluble glucan consisted of a highly branched polymer composed mainly (67.0% to 76.6%) of β(1→6)-linked glucose residues. The alkali-insoluble glucan from yeast and hyphal cells contained from 29.6% to 38.9% β(1→3) and 43.3% to 53.2% β(1→6) linkages. Alkali-insoluble glucan from germ-tube forming cells consisted of 67.0% β(1→3) and 14% β(1→6) linkages. Branch points accounted for 6.7%, 12.3% and 17.4% of the residues in the alkali-insoluble glucan of yeast, germ-tube forming and hyphal cells, respectively.