Physical and chemical properties of polysaccharides and glycoproteins of the yeast-cell wall

Abstract

The isolated yeast-cell wall has been separated into 3 fractions: fraction A, soluble in ethylenediamine and water; fraction B, soluble in ethylenediamine and insoluble in water; fraction C, insoluble in both ethylenediamine and water. The physical and chemical characteristics of these fractions have been determined, from which it is concluded that fraction A is a mannan-protein complex and fraction B possibly may be a glucanmannan-protein complex. All 3 fractions contain glucosamine, and it is suggested that this amino sugar might provide the link between the protein and carbohydrate. It is estimated that no more than approximately 9% of the total glucosamine of the cell wall could be present as chitin. The molecular weight of yeast mannan was found to be 5-9 x 104. It contained 1-4% of glucosamine and 1.5% of protein. Yeast gluecan was found to contain 6-0% of glucosamine and 0-8% of protein.