''N''-Acetylglucosamine

N-Acetylglucosamine

Names
IUPAC name
β-D-(Acetylamino)-2-deoxy-glucopyranose
Other names
N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine
GlcNAc
NAG
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.028.517
UNII
Properties
C8H15NO6
Molar mass 221.21
Melting point 211
Hazards
S-phrases (outdated) S24/25
Related compounds
Related Monosaccharides
 N-Acetylgalactosamine
Related compounds
 Glucosamine
Glucose
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references
N-Acetylglucosamine molecule

N-Acetylglucosamine (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, or GlcNAc, or NAG) is a monosaccharide and a derivative of glucose. It is an amide between glucosamine and acetic acid. It has a molecular formula of C8H15NO6, a molar mass of 221.21 g/mol, and it is significant in several biological systems.

It is part of a biopolymer in the bacterial cell wall, which is built from alternating units of GlcNAc and N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc), cross-linked with oligopeptides at the lactic acid residue of MurNAc. This layered structure is called peptidoglycan (formerly called murein).

GlcNAc is the monomeric unit of the polymer chitin, which forms the outer coverings of insects and crustaceans. It is the main component of the radulas of mollusks, the beaks of cephalopods, and a major component of the cell walls of most fungi.

Polymerized with glucuronic acid, it forms hyaluronan.

GlcNAc has been reported to be an inhibitor of elastase release from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (range 8–17% inhibition), however this is much weaker than the inhibition seen with N-acetylgalactosamine (range 92–100%).[1]

Medical uses

It has been proposed as a treatment for autoimmune diseases,[2] and recent tests have claimed some success.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kamel, M.; Hanafi, M.; Bassiouni, M. (1991). "Inhibition of elastase enzyme release from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by N-acetyl-galactosamine and N-acetyl-glucosamine". Clinical and experimental rheumatology. 9 (1): 17–21. PMID 2054963.
  2. ↑ "Sugar supplement may treat immune disease - health - 07 June 2007 - New Scientist". Retrieved 2007-06-08.
  3. ↑ "Glucosamine-Like Supplement Suppresses Multiple Sclerosis Attacks, Study Suggests". Science Daily.
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