1,3-Beta-glucan synthase is a
glucosyltransferase enzyme involved in the generation of
beta-glucan in
fungi. It serves as a pharmacological target for
antifungal drugs such as
caspofungin
Caspofungin (INN) (brand name Cancidas) is a lipopeptide antifungal drug from Merck & Co., Inc. discovered by James Balkovec, Regina Black and Frances A. Bouffard. It is a member of a new class of antifungals termed the echinocandins. It wor ...
,
anidulafungin
Anidulafungin (International nonproprietary name, INN) (trade names Eraxis, Ecalta) is a Semisynthesis, semisynthetic echinocandin used as an antifungal medication, antifungal drug. It was previously known as LY303366. It may also have applicatio ...
, and
micafungin, deemed 1,3-Beta-glucan synthase inhibitors. Under the
CAZy classification system, fungi and plant members fall in the glycosyltransferase 48 family (GT48).
Some members of the
glycosyltransferase 2 family (), such as the
curdlan synthase ''CrdS''
Q9X2V0, also has a similar activity.
The
biosynthesis
Biosynthesis is a multi-step, enzyme-catalyzed process where substrates are converted into more complex products in living organisms. In biosynthesis, simple compounds are modified, converted into other compounds, or joined to form macromolecules. ...
of disaccharides,
oligosaccharides, and
polysaccharide
Polysaccharides (), or polycarbohydrates, are the most abundant carbohydrates found in food. They are long chain polymeric carbohydrates composed of monosaccharide units bound together by glycosidic linkages. This carbohydrate can react with wa ...
s involves the action of hundreds of different
glycosyltransferases. These
enzymes
catalyse the transfer of
sugar
Sugar is the generic name for sweet-tasting, soluble carbohydrates, many of which are used in food. Simple sugars, also called monosaccharides, include glucose, fructose, and galactose. Compound sugars, also called disaccharides or double ...
moieties from activated donor
molecules to specific acceptor molecules, forming
glycosidic bonds.
The family consists of various 1,3-beta-glucan
synthase In biochemistry, a synthase is an enzyme that catalyses a synthesis process.
Note that, originally, biochemical nomenclature distinguished synthetases and synthases. Under the original definition, synthases do not use energy from nucleoside tripho ...
components including Gls1, Gls2, and Gls3 from
yeast. 1,3-Beta-glucan
synthase In biochemistry, a synthase is an enzyme that catalyses a synthesis process.
Note that, originally, biochemical nomenclature distinguished synthetases and synthases. Under the original definition, synthases do not use energy from nucleoside tripho ...
() also known as callose synthase
catalyses the formation of a beta-1,3-glucan
polymer that is a major component of the
fungal cell wall
A cell wall is a structural layer surrounding some types of cells, just outside the cell membrane. It can be tough, flexible, and sometimes rigid. It provides the cell with both structural support and protection, and also acts as a filtering mech ...
.
The reaction catalysed is:
:UDP-glucose + (N) = UDP + (N+1).
See also
*
Echinocandin
Echinocandins are a class of antifungal drugs that inhibit the synthesis of β-glucan in the fungal cell wall via noncompetitive inhibition of the enzyme 1,3-β glucan synthase. The class has been termed the " penicillin of antifungals," along ...
*
glucan
A glucan is a polysaccharide derived from D-glucose, linked by glycosidic bonds. Glucans are noted in two forms: alpha glucans and beta glucans. Many beta-glucans are medically important. They represent a drug target for antifungal medications of ...
External links
*
*
CAZy
References
EC 2.4.1
Protein families
{{2.4-enzyme-stub