Evidence for a Glycosidic Linkage between Chitin and Glucan in the Cell Wall of Candida albicans

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Abstract
The alkali-insoluble glucan was isolated from regenerating spheroplats and intact cells of Candida albicans. Sequential enzymic hydrolysis of this fraction by Zymolyase 100T and purified chitinase and subsequent gel filtration produced a fraction which was enriched in glycosaminoglycans. This fraction was analysed by partial acid hydrolysis, TLC and GLC-MS. The GLC-MS peaks identified included 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-methylglucitol acetate and 2,3,4-tri-O-methylglucital acetate of .beta.-1,6-glucan and the 3,6-di-O-methyl-2-N-methylglucosaminititol acetate of chitin. In addition, 3-O-methyl-2-N-methylglucosaminitol acetate was identified, which indicated a branch point in chitin. These data provide evidence for a covalent linkage between chitin and .beta.-(1,6)-glucan through a glycosidic linkage at position 6 of N-acetylglucosamine and position 1 of the glucose in the glucan.