Effects of Cyclodextrins on Fatty Acid Synthesis

The stimulatory effects of the mycobacterial polysaccharides MMP (3-O-methylmannose containing polysaccharide) or MGLP (lipopolysaccharide containing 6-O-methylglucose and glucose) on the activity of the fatty acid synthetase from Mycobacterium phlei are mimicked by α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrins in the order α > β > γ. Methylation to the hexakis or heptakis (2,6-di-O-methyl) α- and β-cyclodextrins increases the stimulatory effect severalfold. Complex formation between the cyclodextrins or their alkyl derivatives and palmitoyl coenzyme A has been demonstrated by Sephadex chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.