Polyuronide biosynthesis by cell-free extracts of Mucor rouxii

Cell-free extracts from Mucor rouxii contain enzymes that catalyse the synthesis of uridine diphosphate glucuronic acid (UDPGlcA) from UDPglucose and the incorporation of glucuronic acid from UDPGlcA into polymer(s). Two different polyuronide fraction isolated from the cell walls of this fungus were used as primers. Mucoran, a heteropolymer, was much more efficient than mucoric acid, which is largely a homopolymer of D-glucuronic acid. The primer ability of native cell walls was comparable to that of mucoric acid. Most of the glucuronosyltransferase activity in the cell-free extract was found in a 20000 g particulate fraction. Optimum pH for polyuronide synthesis was 7.0. Mn2+ or Mg2+ stimulated incorporation of GlcA. The products synthesized from mucoric acid and mucoran primers were different and yielded different disaccharides upon hydrolysis.