[Enzymatic conversion of laminaranes into 1-->3;1-->6-beta-D-glucans, possessing immunostimulating activity]

A new 1-->3;1-->6-beta-D-glucan (translam) with immunostimulating activity was isolated from products of the laminaran (L. cichorioides) transformation with endo-1-->3-beta-D-glucanase L0 (Chlamys albidus). As compared with laminaran, translam has a higher molecular weight, contains a 2.5-fold number of 1-->6-bound glucose residues mainly about the nonreducing end of the molecule, but no mannitol. Some of the 1-->6-linked glucose residues are included, in contrast to laminaran in the main chain of 1-->3-beta-D-glucan. It was shown that the translam formation is due to the ability of endo-1-->3-beta-D-glucanase L0 to catalyze the synthesis not only of 1-->3-but also of 1-->6-glucosidic linkages.