alpha-D-Glucopyranosyl fluoride as a D-glucopyranosyl donor for a glycosyltransferase complex from Streptococcus mutans FA1

alpha-D-glucopyranosyl fluoride can serve as the D-glucopyranosyl donor for the glycosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans. The products of the reaction are a D-glucan of high molecular weight and fluoride ion. The rate of reaction was measured by an electrode specific for the fluoride ion. The reaction was inhibited by the substrate at concentrations greater than 30 mM, but was not affected by fluoride ion. There was little inhibition of the reaction by a series of monosaccharides, except for 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose, D-mannitol, and 3-deoxy-D-ribo-hexose. Maltose, isomaltose, isomaltotriose, and D-fructose all stimulated the release of fluoride from alpha-D-glucopyranosyl fluoride.