Skip Navigation



Glycobiology Advance Access published online on January 22, 2003

Glycobiology, doi:10.1093/glycob/cwg047
This Article
Right arrow Advance Access manuscript (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
13/4/17R    most recent
cwg047v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Elbein, A. D.
Right arrow Articles by Carroll, D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Elbein, A. D.
Right arrow Articles by Carroll, D.
Social Bookmarking
 Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Accepted on January 9, 2003

© 2003 Oxford University Press

MINI REVIEWS

New insights on trehalose: a multifunctional molecule

Alan D. Elbein 1, Y.T. Pan 1, Irena Pastuszak 1, David Carroll 2

1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
2 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205

Abstract

Trehalose is a nonreducing disaccharide in which the two glucose units are linked in an {alpha},{alpha}-1,1-glycosidic linkage. This sugar is present in a wide variety of organisms, including bacteria, yeast, fungi, insects, invertebrates and lower and higher plants, where it may serve as a source of energy and carbon. In yeast and plants, trehalose may also function as a signaling molecule to direct or control certain metabolic pathways, or even to affect growth. In addition, it has been shown that levels of cytosolic trehalose are increased when cells are stressed, and that trehalose can protect proteins and cellular membranes from inactivation or denaturation caused by a variety of stress conditions, including desiccation, dehydration, heat, cold, and oxidation. Finally, in mycobacteria and corynebacteria, trehalose is an integral component of various glycolipids that are important cell wall structures.

There are now at least three different pathways described for the biosynthesis of trehalose. The best known and most widely distributed pathway involves the transfer of glucose from UDP-glucose (or GDP-glucose in some cases) to glucose 6-phosphate to form trehalose-6-phosphate and UDP. This reaction is catalyzed by the trehalose-P synthase (TPS here, or OtsA in Escherichia coli). Organisms that use this pathway usually have a trehalose-P phosphatase (TPP here, or OtsB in E. coli) that converts the trehalose-P to free trehalose. A second pathway that has been reported in some bacteria involves the intramolecular rearrangement of maltose (glucosyl-{alpha}1,4-glucopyranoside) to convert the 1,4-linkage to the 1,1-bond of trehalose. This reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme called trehalose synthase and gives rise to free trehalose as the initial product. A third pathway involves several different enzymes, the first of which rearranges the glucose at the reducing end of a glycogen chain to convert the {alpha}1,4-linkage to an {alpha},{alpha}1,1-bond. A second enzyme then releases the trehalose disaccharide from the reducing end of the glycogen molecule. Finally, in mushrooms there is a trehalose phosphorylase that catalyzes the phosphorolysis of trehalose to produce glucose-1-phosphate and glucose. This reaction is reversible in vitro and could theoretically give rise to trehalose from glucose-1-P and glucose. Another important enzyme in trehalose metabolism is trehalase which may be involved in energy metabolism and also have a regulatory role in controlling the levels of trehalose in cells. This enzyme may be important in lowering trehalose concentrations once the stress is alleviated. Recent studies in yeast indicate that the enzymes involved in trehalose synthesis (TPS, TPP, T) exist together in a complex that is highly regulated at the activity level as well as at the genetic level.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Biophys. JHome page
C. W. Harland, D. Rabuka, C. R. Bertozzi, and R. Parthasarathy
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis Virulence Factor Trehalose Dimycolate Imparts Desiccation Resistance to Model Mycobacterial Membranes
Biophys. J., June 15, 2008; 94(12): 4718 - 4724.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Biol. Chem.Home page
N. Suzuki, S. Bajad, J. Shuman, V. Shulaev, and R. Mittler
The Transcriptional Co-activator MBF1c Is a Key Regulator of Thermotolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana
J. Biol. Chem., April 4, 2008; 283(14): 9269 - 9275.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Plant Physiol.Home page
S. N. Chary, G. R. Hicks, Y. G. Choi, D. Carter, and N. V. Raikhel
Trehalose-6-Phosphate Synthase/Phosphatase Regulates Cell Shape and Plant Architecture in Arabidopsis
Plant Physiology, January 1, 2008; 146(1): 97 - 107.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
T. Kikawada, A. Saito, Y. Kanamori, Y. Nakahara, K.-i. Iwata, D. Tanaka, M. Watanabe, and T. Okuda
Trehalose transporter 1, a facilitated and high-capacity trehalose transporter, allows exogenous trehalose uptake into cells
PNAS, July 10, 2007; 104(28): 11585 - 11590.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Mol. Biol. CellHome page
J. Huang, F. Reggiori, and D. J. Klionsky
The Transmembrane Domain of Acid Trehalase Mediates Ubiquitin-independent Multivesicular Body Pathway Sorting
Mol. Biol. Cell, July 1, 2007; 18(7): 2511 - 2524.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Appl. Environ. Microbiol.Home page
H. J. McIntyre, H. Davies, T. A. Hore, S. H. Miller, J.-P. Dufour, and C. W. Ronson
Trehalose Biosynthesis in Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii and Its Role in Desiccation Tolerance
Appl. Envir. Microbiol., June 15, 2007; 73(12): 3984 - 3992.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
MicrobiologyHome page
Y. Pedreno, P. Gonzalez-Parraga, M. Martinez-Esparza, R. Sentandreu, E. Valentin, and J.-C. Arguelles
Disruption of the Candida albicans ATC1 gene encoding a cell-linked acid trehalase decreases hypha formation and infectivity without affecting resistance to oxidative stress
Microbiology, May 1, 2007; 153(5): 1372 - 1381.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ReproductionHome page
M. W Li, J. D Biggers, H. Y Elmoazzen, M. Toner, L. McGinnis, and K C K. Lloyd
Long-term storage of mouse spermatozoa after evaporative drying
Reproduction, May 1, 2007; 133(5): 919 - 929.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Bacteriol.Home page
J. Costa, N. Empadinhas, and M. S. da Costa
Glucosylglycerate Biosynthesis in the Deepest Lineage of the Bacteria: Characterization of the Thermophilic Proteins GpgS and GpgP from Persephonella marina
J. Bacteriol., March 1, 2007; 189(5): 1648 - 1654.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
MicrobiologyHome page
F. S. Cardoso, R. F. Castro, N. Borges, and H. Santos
Biochemical and genetic characterization of the pathways for trehalose metabolism in Propionibacterium freudenreichii, and their role in stress response
Microbiology, January 1, 2007; 153(1): 270 - 280.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Appl. Environ. Microbiol.Home page
S. Termont, K. Vandenbroucke, D. Iserentant, S. Neirynck, L. Steidler, E. Remaut, and P. Rottiers
Intracellular Accumulation of Trehalose Protects Lactococcus lactis from Freeze-Drying Damage and Bile Toxicity and Increases Gastric Acid Resistance
Appl. Envir. Microbiol., December 1, 2006; 72(12): 7694 - 7700.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
M. F. Sernee, J. E. Ralton, Z. Dinev, G. N. Khairallah, R. A. O'Hair, S. J. Williams, and M. J. McConville
Leishmania beta-1,2-mannan is assembled on a mannose-cyclic phosphate primer
PNAS, June 20, 2006; 103(25): 9458 - 9463.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Appl. Environ. Microbiol.Home page
J. G. Streeter and M. L. Gomez
Three enzymes for trehalose synthesis in bradyrhizobium cultured bacteria and in bacteroids from soybean nodules.
Appl. Envir. Microbiol., June 1, 2006; 72(6): 4250 - 4255.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
P. Alpert
Constraints of tolerance: why are desiccation-tolerant organisms so small or rare?
J. Exp. Biol., May 1, 2006; 209(9): 1575 - 1584.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
MicrobiologyHome page
A. Higo, H. Katoh, K. Ohmori, M. Ikeuchi, and M. Ohmori
The role of a gene cluster for trehalose metabolism in dehydration tolerance of the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120.
Microbiology, April 1, 2006; 152(Pt 4): 979 - 987.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
L. K. McGinnis, L. Zhu, J. A. Lawitts, S. Bhowmick, M. Toner, and J. D. Biggers
Mouse Sperm Desiccated and Stored in Trehalose Medium Without Freezing
Biol Reprod, October 1, 2005; 73(4): 627 - 633.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Exp BotHome page
L. A. Rogers, C. Dubos, I. F. Cullis, C. Surman, M. Poole, J. Willment, S. D. Mansfield, and M. M. Campbell
Light, the circadian clock, and sugar perception in the control of lignin biosynthesis
J. Exp. Bot., June 1, 2005; 56(416): 1651 - 1663.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Biol. Chem.Home page
H. N. Murphy, G. R. Stewart, V. V. Mischenko, A. S. Apt, R. Harris, M. S. B. McAlister, P. C. Driscoll, D. B. Young, and B. D. Robertson
The OtsAB Pathway Is Essential for Trehalose Biosynthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
J. Biol. Chem., April 15, 2005; 280(15): 14524 - 14529.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
S. J. Broughton, M. D. W. Piper, T. Ikeya, T. M. Bass, J. Jacobson, Y. Driege, P. Martinez, E. Hafen, D. J. Withers, S. J. Leevers, et al.
Longer lifespan, altered metabolism, and stress resistance in Drosophila from ablation of cells making insulin-like ligands
PNAS, February 22, 2005; 102(8): 3105 - 3110.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol.Home page
S. T. Lamitina and K. Strange
Transcriptional targets of DAF-16 insulin signaling pathway protect C. elegans from extreme hypertonic stress
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, February 1, 2005; 288(2): C467 - C474.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Plant Physiol.Home page
N. Avonce, B. Leyman, J. O. Mascorro-Gallardo, P. Van Dijck, J. M. Thevelein, and G. Iturriaga
The Arabidopsis Trehalose-6-P Synthase AtTPS1 Gene Is a Regulator of Glucose, Abscisic Acid, and Stress Signaling
Plant Physiology, November 1, 2004; 136(3): 3649 - 3659.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
Q. Chen and G. G. Haddad
Role of trehalose phosphate synthase and trehalose during hypoxia: from flies to mammals
J. Exp. Biol., August 15, 2004; 207(18): 3125 - 3129.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Biol. Chem.Home page
P. J. Woodruff, B. L. Carlson, B. Siridechadilok, M. R. Pratt, R. H. Senaratne, J. D. Mougous, L. W. Riley, S. J. Williams, and C. R. Bertozzi
Trehalose Is Required for Growth of Mycobacterium smegmatis
J. Biol. Chem., July 9, 2004; 279(28): 28835 - 28843.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Biophys. JHome page
C. S. Pereira, R. D. Lins, I. Chandrasekhar, L. C. G. Freitas, and P. H. Hunenberger
Interaction of the Disaccharide Trehalose with a Phospholipid Bilayer: A Molecular Dynamics Study
Biophys. J., April 1, 2004; 86(4): 2273 - 2285.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Biol. Chem.Home page
R. P. Gibson, C. A. Tarling, S. Roberts, S. G. Withers, and G. J. Davies
The Donor Subsite of Trehalose-6-phosphate Synthase: BINARY COMPLEXES WITH UDP-GLUCOSE AND UDP-2-DEOXY-2-FLUORO-GLUCOSE AT 2 A RESOLUTION
J. Biol. Chem., January 16, 2004; 279(3): 1950 - 1955.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
GlycobiologyHome page
N. Asano
Glycosidase inhibitors: update and perspectives on practical use
Glycobiology, October 1, 2003; 13(10): 93R - 104R.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]



Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.