Title of article :
A 2-sulfated, 3-linked α-l-galactan is an anticoagulant polysaccharide Original Research Article
Author/Authors :
Mariana S Pereira، نويسنده , , Ana-Cristina E.S Vilela-Silva، نويسنده , , Ana Paula Valente، نويسنده , , Paulo A.S Mour?o، نويسنده ,
Issue Information :
دوهفته نامه با شماره پیاپی سال 2002
Abstract :
Marine alga is an abundant source of sulfated polysaccharides with potent anticoagulant activity. However, several attempts to identify the specific structural features in these compounds, which confer the biological activity, failed due to their complex, heterogeneous structure. We isolated and characterized several sulfated α-l-galactans and sulfated α-l-fucans from marine invertebrates. In contrast to the algal fucans and galactans, these invertebrate polysaccharides have a simple structure, composed of well-defined units of oligosaccharides. We employed two of these compounds to elucidate their structure–anticoagulant action relationship. Our results indicate that a 2-sulfated, 3-linked α-l-galactan, but not an α-l-fucan, is a potent thrombin inhibitor mediated by antithrombin or heparin cofactor II. The difference between the activities of these two polysaccharides is not very pronounced when factor Xa replaces thrombin. Thus, the anticoagulant activity of sulfated galactan and sulfated fucan is not merely a consequence of their charge density. The interaction of these polysaccharides with coagulation cofactors and their target proteases are specific. Identification of specific structural requirements in sulfated galactans and sulfated fucans necessary for interaction with coagulation cofactors is an essential step for a more rational approach to develop new anticoagulant and antithrombotic drugs.
Keywords :
Sulfated polysaccharides , Sulfated galactans , Sulfated fucans , Marine invertebrates , Anticoagulant activity
Journal title :
Carbohydrate Research
Journal title :
Carbohydrate Research