The structure of mytilan, a bioglycan-immunomodulator isolated from the mussel Crenomytilus grayanus.

Mytilan, isolated from the mantle of the mussel Crenomytilus grayanus and which possesses high immunomodulating activity, is a non-covalently linked complex of a polysaccharide (95%) and protein (5%) with lectin activities. Chromatography of mytilan on agarose separated the polysaccharide and protein constituents. The protein appeared to have the lectin properties. Methylation analysis, Smith degradation, digestion with alpha-amylase, and 13C-n.m.r. spectroscopy showed the polysaccharide to be a glycogen-like alpha-D-glucan.