Synthesis of α(1→4)-linked non-natural mannoglucans by α-glucan phosphorylase-catalyzed enzymatic copolymerization.

α-Glucan phosphorylase catalyzes enzymatic polymerization of α-d-glucose 1-phosphate (Glc-1-P) as a monomer from a maltooligosaccharide primer to produce α(1→4)-glucan, i.e., amylose, with liberating inorganic phosphate (Pi). Because of quite weak specificity for the recognition of substrates by thermostable α-glucan phosphorylase (from Aquifex aeolicus VF5), in this study, we investigated the enzymatic copolymerization of Glc-1-P with its analogue monomer, α-d-mannose 1-phosphate (Man-1-P) under the conditions for removal of Pi as the precipitate with ammonium and magnesium in ammonia buffer containing Mg(2+) ion to produce α(1→4)-linked non-natural mannoglucans composed of Glc/Man units. The reaction was conducted in different feed ratios using the maltotriose primer at 40°C for 7days. The MALDI-TOF mass and (1)H NMR spectra of the products fully supported the mannoglucan structures.