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Quantification of Mushroom-Derived Soluble β-1,6-Glucan Using the Function-Modified Recombinant β-1,6-Glucanase
Daisuke Yamanaka1, Ken-Ichi Ishibashi2, Yoshiyuki Adachi3
1Laboratory for Immunopharmacology of Microbial Products School of Pharmacy Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan.
International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms
|January 3, 2021
Summary
This study introduces a new assay to detect beta-1,6 glucans in mushrooms, crucial for their medicinal properties. The assay helps evaluate mushroom strains for use in alternative medicine.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Mushrooms are vital sources of beta-glucans for medical and therapeutic uses.
- While beta-1,3 glucans are well-studied, beta-1,6 glucans are increasingly recognized for their immunomodulating effects.
- Accurate analysis of beta-glucan structure and content is essential for evaluating medicinal mushrooms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel detection system for beta-1,6 glucans in mushrooms.
- To compare the beta-glucan profiles of various edible mushroom species using the new assay.
- To investigate the relationship between beta-glucan structure and cytokine-inducing activity.
Main Methods:
- Development of a function-modified recombinant beta-1,6-glucanase detection system.
- ELISA-like assay using modified beta-1,6-glucanase and soluble dectin-1-Fc probes.
- Analysis of hot water extracts from various edible mushrooms and commercial shiitake products.
- Structural analysis of purified beta-glucans and assessment of their cytokine induction potential.
Main Results:
- The developed assay successfully detected beta-1,6 glucans and beta-1,3 glucans in mushroom extracts.
- Lentinus edodes (shiitake) exhibited the strongest reactivity in the ELISA-like assay.
- Limited variations in beta-1,6 glucan and beta-1,3 glucan content were observed among commercial shiitake mushroom products.
- A correlation was found between beta-1,6-glucanase reactivity and the ability of beta-glucans to induce tumor necrosis factor-alpha.
Conclusions:
- The novel detection system is effective for analyzing beta-1,6 glucans in mushrooms.
- This assay can aid in evaluating edible and medicinal mushroom strains for their therapeutic potential.
- The findings highlight the importance of beta-1,6 glucans in the immunomodulatory activity of mushrooms.
