Characterization of the highly branched glycogen from the thermoacidophilic red microalga Galdieria sulphuraria and comparison with other glycogens

Marta Martinez-Garcia; Marc C A Stuart; Marc J E C van der Maarel

doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.04.051

Characterization of the highly branched glycogen from the thermoacidophilic red microalga Galdieria sulphuraria and comparison with other glycogens

Int J Biol Macromol. 2016 Aug:89:12-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.04.051. Epub 2016 Apr 20.

Authors

Marta Martinez-Garcia¹, Marc C A Stuart², Marc J E C van der Maarel³

Affiliations

¹ Aquatic Biotechnology and Bioproduct Engineering, Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG), University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
² Electron Microscopy, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
³ Aquatic Biotechnology and Bioproduct Engineering, Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG), University of Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.j.e.c.van.der.maarel@rug.nl.

PMID: 27107958
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.04.051

Abstract

The thermoacidophilic red microalga Galdieria sulphuraria synthesizes glycogen when growing under heterotrophic conditions. Structural characterization revealed that G. sulphuraria glycogen is the most highly branched glycogen described to date, with 18% of α-(1→6) linkages. Moreover, it differs from other glycogens because it is composed of short chains only and has a substantially smaller molecular weight and particle size. The physiological role of this highly branched glycogen in G. sulphuraria is discussed.

Keywords: Branching; Galdieria sulphuraria; Glucan; Glycogen; Red algae.

Publication types

Comparative Study

MeSH terms

Acids / chemistry*
Cryoelectron Microscopy
Glycogen / analysis*
Glycogen / chemistry*
Glycogen / ultrastructure
Microalgae / metabolism*
Molecular Weight
Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Rhodophyta / metabolism*
Temperature*

Substances

Acids
Glycogen