Dextran

General Information (more on wikipedia)

Dextran is a complex, branched polysaccharide made of many glucose molecules joined into chains of varying lengths, used as an antithrombotic (anti-platelet), and to reduce blood viscosity.

The straight chain consists of α1->6 glycosidic linkages between glucose molecules, while branches begin from α1->3 linkages (and in some cases, α1->2 and α1->4 linkages as well). (For information on the numbering of carbon atoms in glucose, see the glucose article.) Dextran is synthesized from sucrose by certain lactic-acid bacteria, the best-known being Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Streptococcus mutans. Dental plaque is rich in dextrans.

Diffusion constant of Dextran 10 kDalton:

• In water:
  • Alone:
• In cytoplasm:
  • in D. melanogaster: [1]

Diffusion constant of Dextran 19 kDalton:

• In water:
  • Alone:
  • FITC-Dextran: [2]
• In cytoplasm:
  • Alone:

Diffusion constant of Dextran 40 kDalton:

• In water:
  • Alone:
• In cytoplasm:
  • in D. melanogaster: [1]

Diffusion constant of Dextran 70 kDalton:

• In water:
  • Alone:
  • FITC-dextran: [3]
• In cytoplasm:
  • in D. melanogaster: [1]

Diffusion constant of Dextran 150 kDalton:

• In water:
  • Alone:
  • FITC-Dextran: [2]
• In cytoplasm:
  • in D. melanogaster: [1]

Bibliography

1. PNAS | December 20, 2005 | vol. 102 | no. 51 | 18403-18407

2. Volume 68 Issue 1 Page 95-102, September 1976

3. Biophys J. 1998 July; 75(1): 557–567