Exploring glycogen biosynthesis through Monte Carlo simulation

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Peng ZhangRobert G Gilbert

Abstract

Glycogen, a complex branched polymer of glucose (average chain length ~10 monomer units), is the blood-sugar reservoir in humans and other animals. Certain aspects of its molecular structure relevant to its biological functions are currently unamenable to experimental exploration. Knowledge of these is needed to develop future models for quantitative data-fitting to obtain mechanistic understanding of the biosynthetic processes that give rise to glycogen structure. Monte Carlo simulations of the biosynthesis of this structure with realistic macromolecular parameters reveal how chain growth and stoppage (the latter assumed to be through both the action of glycogen branching enzyme and other degradative enzymes, and by hindrance) control structural features. The simulated chain-length, pair-distance and radial density distributions agree semi-quantitatively with the limited available data. The simulations indicate that a steady state in molecular structure and size is rapidly obtained, that molecular density reaches a maximum near the center of the particle (not at the periphery, as is the case with dendrimers), and that particle size is controlled by both enzyme activity and hindrance. This knowledge will aid in the understandin...Continue Reading

References

Apr 5, 1982·Journal of Molecular Biology·E GoldsmithR Fletterick
Sep 1, 1995·FASEB Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·M D AlonsoW J Whelan
Oct 15, 1993·The Biochemical Journal·E Meléndez-HeviaE D Shelton
Jun 1, 1996·Tissue & Cell·K K Rybicka
Jun 1, 1997·Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics·H GuanP Keeling
Aug 31, 1999·Biophysical Journal·R MeléndezE I Canela
Dec 28, 1970·FEBS Letters·Z Gunja-SmithW J. Whelan
Feb 26, 2004·Journal of Biochemical and Biophysical Methods·Leopold K KostanskiArchie E Hamielec
Jul 10, 2004·Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews·Jane Shearer, Terry E Graham
Feb 13, 2007·Biomacromolecules·Christopher J C WattsRobert G Gilbert
Aug 7, 2007·Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics·J P WittmerJ Baschnagel
Aug 7, 2007·Physical Review Letters·Dominik KonkolewiczAngus Gray-Weale
Aug 14, 2008·The Journal of Chemical Physics·Dominik KonkolewiczAngus Gray-Weale
Oct 21, 2010·Journal of Separation Science·Francisco Vilaplana, Robert G Gilbert
Nov 10, 2010·Biomacromolecules·Alex Chi Wu, Robert G Gilbert
May 20, 2011·Biomacromolecules·Mitchell A SullivanRobert G Gilbert
Jan 18, 2012·The Biochemical Journal·Peter J RoachVincent S Tagliabracci
Mar 8, 2013·Carbohydrate Polymers·Jelena Ciric, Katja Loos
Jan 1, 2014·Biomacromolecules·Mitchell A SullivanRobert G Gilbert
Mar 23, 2015·Glycoconjugate Journal·Bin DengRobert G Gilbert
Feb 9, 2018·Carbohydrate Polymers·Zhenxia HuRobert G Gilbert

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Oct 17, 2019·Advanced Materials·Quinn A BesfordFrank Caruso
Jan 19, 2021·IScience·Asad NawazMitchell A Sullivan
Apr 4, 2020·Carbohydrate Polymers·Liang WangDaoquan Tang
Apr 4, 2020·Carbohydrate Polymers·Qinghua LiuLiang Wang
May 18, 2021·Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences·Qing-Hua LiuLiang Wang
Jun 28, 2019·Biomacromolecules·Liang WangRobert G Gilbert
Dec 1, 2021·Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·Jialin LiuBirte Svensson

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.