Dextran synthesis

A. Tanriseven and J. F. Robyt, Inhibition of dextran synthesis by acceptor reactions of dextransucrase and the demonstration of a separate acceptor binding-site, Carbohydr. Res., 225 (1992) 321-329. 

Thus, in the 1940s and 50s, the primer mechanism was assumed for the synthesis of dextran.52 5369,70 This mechanism was strengthened in the 1970s when Germaine et a/.71-73 found that the addition of dextran to digests of Strep, mutans dextransu-crase increased the rate of dextran synthesis. They found that the rate reached a maximum when the average size of the added dextran was 30 glucose residues.7172... 

With regard to the possible priming mechanism of the acceptor for dextran synthesis, it was observed that many of the acceptors give a homologous series in which the amounts of oligosaccharide products decrease as the degree of polymerization (d.p.) of the products increases. 08 126 Furthermore, as the ratio of acceptor... 

Thus, it was determined that the mechanism of action of the acceptors is one of terminating dextran synthesis by the release of the glucosyl and dextranyl units from the covalent enzyme intermediate rather than one of priming the synthesis of dextran. 

Significance of Oligosaccharide Intermediates in Dextran Synthesis, R. W. Bailey,... 

Fructose (from sucrose) is also involved in dextran synthesis in bacteria. 

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