Carbohydrates as structural constituents of yeast cell wall and septum
The cell walls and septa of fungi a re useful models for morphogenesis and potential targets for anti fungal agents. In the yeast, Saccharomvces cerevisiae, the main structural components of the primary septum and of the cell wall are chitin and ,¶(1+3)glucan, respectively. Two chitin synthetases have been identified in yeast, one of which is essential for septum formation, whereas the other one has a repair function. in extracts in a zymogenic form that can be activated by proteases. /?(1-+3)Glucan synthetase is also attached to the plasma membrane. activity is strongly stimulated by GTP and its analogs. extraction of the membranes, two components have been obtained