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To resolve the structure of laminarin, the recombinant endo-β-1,3-glucanase from Coprinopsis cinerea, which has specific activity on β-1,3 glycosidic bond and could hydrolyze the laminarin with complex structure, was used to hydrolyze laminarin. Then, the structures of enzyme-resistant oligosaccharides were quantitatively and qualitatively analysed by high-performance anion exchange chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The laminarin from Laminaria digitata contains 9.51% β-1,6 glycosidic bonds only in the branches (branch degree 7.68%). The laminarin from Eisenia bicyclis contains more β-1,6 glycosidic bonds: 19.42% β-1,6 glycosidic bonds in backbone and more and longer β-1,6 branches (branch degree 25.99%). The differences in the ratio of glycosidic bonds and branch degree influence their bioactivity: the antioxidant activity and the antimicrobial activity against Gram positive bacteria of the laminarin from E. bicyclis is stronger than the laminarin from L. digitata, but the antimicrobial activity on Gram negative bacteria of the laminarin from E. bicyclis is weaker., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Metabolic alterations within mitochondria, encompassing processes such as autophagy and energy metabolism, play a pivotal role in facilitating the swift proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells. Despite this, there is a scarcity of currently available medications with proven anticancer efficacy through the modulation of mitochondrial dysfunction in a clinical setting. Here, we introduce the structural characteristics of RN0D, a galactoglucan isolated and purified from Panax notoginseng flowers, mainly composed of β-1,4-galactan and β-1,3/1,6-glucan. RN0D demonstrates the capacity to induce mitochondrial impairment in cancer cells, leading to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, initiation of mitophagy, and reduction in both mitochondrial number and size. This sequence of events ultimately results in the inhibition of mitochondrial and glycolytic bioenergetics, culminating in the demise of cancer cells due to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) deprivation. Notably, the observed bioactivity is attributed to RN0D's direct targeting of Galectin-3, as affirmed by surface plasmon resonance studies. Furthermore, RN0D is identified as an activator of the PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin pathway, ultimately instigating cytotoxic mitophagy in tumor cells. This comprehensive study substantiates the rationale for advancing RN0D as a potentially efficacious anticancer therapeutic. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microcrystalline cellulose, a major component of cell wall of plants, is one of the most abundant natural materials, but the poor solubility of cellulose limits its applications. Cellulose is a linear glucan with exclusive β 1 → 4 linkage. Oxidation carried out with TEMPO–NaBr–NaClO system can selectively oxidize the C6 of glucose residues in cellulose. This modification improves polysaccharide solubility and other physicochemical properties. In this work, the impact of degree of oxidation on solubility, degree of crystallization, thermostability, molecular weight and the structures of the resulting oligosaccharide products of selectively oxidized cellulose were investigated using x-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, gel permeation chromatography–multiple angle laser light scattering and ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography–electrospray–quadrupole/time of flight–mass spectrometry, respectively. The physicochemical properties of selectively oxidized cellulose having different degrees of oxidation were carefully characterized providing a theoretical foundation for the more accurate selection of applications of oxidized celluloses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A 1−6 glucanase was firstly used to digest a β-glucan from H. erinaceus. • The oligosaccharides in the digested products were analyzed with HPAEC-MS. • The sequences of enzyme resistant oligosaccharides were elucidated with MS/MS. • A branch-on-branch structure of the β-glucan was estimated. A water-soluble β-glucan from fruiting body of Hericium erinaceus was obtained after water extraction, purification and fractionation. Analyses of monosaccharide composition, molecular weight and linkage mode demonstrated that it is a β-glucan with 1→3 and 1→6 linkage modes and a molecular weight of 13.3 kDa. An endo-1,6-β- d -glucanase was used to digest the β-glucan and the digested products over time were analyzed with a HPAEC-PAD-MS platform. The linkage mode of each glycosidic bond in the digested oligosaccharides were confirmed with MS/MS. At the end of digestion, enzyme resistant oligosaccharides were observed as several 1→6 linked glucoses with one or two 1→3 linked glucose residues. All these domains are more like constructional pieces from a branch-on-branch glucan, in which multiple 1→6 linked glucan chains are hooked through one or two 1→3 linked glucose residues. Averagely, there is a 1→3 linkage per six 1→6 linked glucoses in this branch-on-branch β-glucan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]