Structure of Fungal Cell Wall Polysaccharides

Abstract

Candida albicans mannan consists of the α-1,6-linked backbone moiety and the α-1,2- and α-1,3-linked side chains. It also contains α-1,6-branched mannose units, β-1,2-linked mannose units, and phosphate groups. The cell wall mannans of the genus Candida possess three types of β-1,2 linked mannose units. One is linked via the phosphodiester linkage, the second type is connected to an α-1,2-linked mannose unit, and the third type is attached to an α-1,3-linked mannose unit. These β-1,2-linked mannose units showed a strong antigenicity and produce the characteristic NMR chemical shifts. Using two-dimensional NMR techniques, we will practically determine the structure of these polysaccharides in a nondestructive manner.