Beta-glucan

Pronunciation

Definition 1

A substance found in bacteria, plants, and certain foods, such as baker’s yeast, cereal grains, and mushrooms. It is a type of polysaccharide that is made of a string of glucose (sugar) molecules joined together. Beta-glucan may stimulate the immune system and help kill cancer cells. It is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of biological response modifier. (NCI Dictionary)

Definition 2

A polysaccharide isolated from the cell walls of bacteria, plants, and fungi with immunostimulant and antineoplastic activities. In a solubilized form, beta-glucan binds to a lectin site within complement receptor 3 (CR3) on leukocytes, priming the receptor to trigger cytotoxic degranulation of leukocytes when leukocyte CR3 binds to complement 3 (iC3b)-coated tumors. Thus, the attachment of beta-glucan to CR3 of circulating leukocytes simulates leukocytes to kill iC3b-coated tumor cells in the same way as they kill iC3b-coated yeast. (NCI Thesaurus)

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Beta-Galactosidase

Beta-galactosidase (677 aa, ~76 kDa) is encoded by the human GLB1 gene. This protein plays a role in the hydrolysis of the…

Beta-endorphin

A substance produced in the brain, especially in the pituitary gland, that blocks the sensation of pain. It is produced in response…

Beta-elemene

One of the isomers of elemene, a lipid soluble sesquiterpene and the active component isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Rhizoma zedoariae…

Beta-Defensin 103

Beta-defensin 103 (67 aa, ~8 kDa) is encoded by the human DEFB103A and DEFB103B genes. This protein is involved in the cytotoxic…

Beta-Defensin 1

Beta-defensin 1 (68 aa, ~7 kDa) is encoded by the human DEFB1 gene. This protein is involved in chemotaxis and has bactericidal…

Beta-D-Glucopyranose Monohydrate

The monohydrate form of the beta isoform of D-glucopyranose, a synthetic simple monosaccharide as an energy source. D-glucopyranose is oxidized in various…