3.2.2.2 Amino sugars (Hexosamines)

3.2.2.2 Amino sugars (Hexosamines)

 

 An amino sugar is formed if one of the hydroxyl groups of a monosaccharide is replaced with an amino group. In naturally occurring amino sugars, of which there are three common ones, the amino group replaces the carbon 2 hydroxyl group. The three common natural amino sugars are   D-Glucosamine, D-Galactosamine and  D-Mannosamine.

D-Galactomine, Mannosamine

Amino sugars and their N-acetyl derivatives are important building blocks of polysaccharides found in cartilage and exoskeleton of crustaceans and insects. Glucosamine is a constituent of hyaluronic acid. Chitin is a polymer of N acetyl Glucosamine.  Galactosmine is a constituent of glycoprotein and Mannosamine is part of mucoprotein.

Last modified: Thursday, 10 November 2011, 6:18 AM