beta-Glucoside activators of mung bean UDP-glucose: beta-glucan synthase. II. Comparison of effects of an endogenous beta-linked glucolipid with synthetic n-alkyl beta-D-monoglucopyranosides

n-Alkyl ($\text{C}_{6}-\text{C}_{12}$) β-D-monoglucopyranosides have been found to be highly potent activators of mung bean β-glucan synthase in vitro, increasing the Vmax of the enzyme as much as 60-fold and with Ka values as low as 10 micromolar. Activation is highly specific for the β-linked terminal glucose residue; other alkyl glycosides such as, octyl-α-glucoside, dodecyl β-maltoside, 6-lauryl sucrose, 6-lauryl glucose, which lack this structure, are ineffective as activators. Based on the similarities in their structure and effects on β-glucan synthesis under a variety of conditions, it is proposed that the alkyl β-glucosides are structural analogs of the native glucolipid activator of β-glucan synthase isolated from mung bean extracts.