Levansucrase (SacB)

Levansucrase is a bacterial enzyme belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family 68 (GH68) that plays a critical role in carbohydrate metabolism by catalyzing the synthesis of levan, a high-molecular-weight fructose polymer, from sucrose [1, 2]. This enzyme exhibits a multi-functional catalytic profile, including sucrose hydrolysis, transfructosylation, and polymerization, which are essential for the formation of extracellular polysaccharides in various bacterial species such as Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus mutans [3, 6, 11]. In the context of human health, levansucrase is a significant factor in the development of dental caries and periodontal diseases, as the produced fructans contribute to the structural integrity and virulence of dental biofilms [4, 10]. Consequently, it is considered a potential therapeutic target for anti-caries agents aimed at disrupting biofilm formation [4, 12]. Beyond its role in pathogenesis, levansucrase is extensively utilized in biotechnology for the industrial production of levan and fructooligosaccharides, which serve as prebiotics, stabilizers, and drug delivery vehicles due to their biocompatibility and bioactive properties [5, 11].

Other names

Sucrose:2,6-beta-D-fructan 6-beta-D-fructosyltransferaseBeta-2,6-fructosyltransferaseSucrose 6-fructosyltransferaseBeta-D-fructofuranosyl transferaseFructosyltransferaseSacBLSC

Inhibition of enzyme secretion or catalytic activity to prevent the synthesis of extracellular levan polymers, thereby disrupting bacterial biofilm formation and adherence [4, 9, 10].