Polysaccharide-polynucleotide complexes (III): A novel interaction betweenthe beta-1,3-glucan family and the single-stranded RNA poly(C)

We measured circular dichroism spectra to examine the complex-formation cap ability of various kinds of polysaccharides with poly(C). The results show that schizophyllan and lentinan can interact with poly(C), on the other han d, amylose, pullulan, dextran, and curdlan cannot. This difference clearly indicates that the water soluble beta -1,3-glucan can bind with polynucleot ides. The molecular weight dependence of the complex formation has establis hed that at least 30 glucose sequence length is necessary to incorporate th e most bases into the complex.