Carbohydrate-carbohydrate interaction: Zymosan and beta-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae bind mannosylated glycoconjugates

Zymosan from cell wall of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was found to i nteract with synthetic and natural glycoconjugates; mannose-rich glycoprote in N-chains demonstrated the maximal affinity. The carbohydrate-carbohydrat e nature of the interaction has been confirmed by the following data: I) pe riodate treatment of the zymosan impairs the binding; 2) neither protease n or alkali treatment of the zymosan weaken the binding; 3) beta-glucan from S. cerevisiae, which is the major zymosan component, interacts with glycoco njugates similarly to zymosan. The binding is reversible, Ca2+-dependent, a nd cooperative; it can be dose-dependently inhibited by saccharides relativ e to one of the partners of the carbohydrate-carbohydrate interaction.