Zymosan

Zymosan is a complex polysaccharide (beta-glucan, mannan, protein, lipid) extracted from the cell wall of *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* (baker's yeast) and is widely used as a tool in immunology and inflammation research[1][4][5][6][7]. It is not a therapeutic molecular target such as a receptor, enzyme, or transporter, but rather a crude particulate ligand or pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) recognized by several innate immune cell receptors, notably Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), Dectin-1 (CLEC7A), and complement receptor 3 (CR3) on macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils[1][2][5][6]. Upon binding, zymosan induces activation of innate immune pathways, resulting in the release of proinflammatory cytokines (including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β), recruitment of immune cells, oxidative burst, and stimulation of phagocytosis[1][2][3][6]. Zymosan is not a druggable molecular target, but a preparation used to model acute inflammation, immune activation, and study innate immune signaling, as well as to test phagocytosis in vitro. It plays roles in research related to inflammation-driven diseases including sepsis, neuroinflammation, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease but is not itself a direct disease target[3][5][6]. There are no known drugs targeting zymosan, nor is it used or classified as a conventional biomarker. Note: The entry “Zymosan” is incorrect as a therapeutic target: it is not a molecular target but a complex, exogenous experimental ligand/reagent[1][2][3][5][6][7]. It is often confused as a receptor or target but is actually a fungal cell wall product used to activate innate immunity in experimental models.

Other names

Yeast glucanZymosan AZymosan type AYeast polysaccharide