Dmannopyranóza

D-Mannopyranose is a monosaccharide, a type of sugar. It is an epimer of D-glucose, meaning it differs from glucose in the configuration at a single chiral center, specifically at carbon-2. D-Mannopyranose is a pyranose form, indicating a six-membered ring structure containing five carbon atoms and one oxygen atom. It exists in two anomeric forms, alpha (α) and beta (β), differing in the configuration of the hydroxyl group at the anomeric carbon. This sugar is a component of many important biological molecules.

In nature, D-mannopyranose is found in various polysaccharides, including mannans, which are common in the cell walls of fungi and plants. It is also a part of glycoproteins, where it plays roles in protein folding, stability, and cell recognition. For example, N-linked glycosylation, a process crucial for protein function, often involves the addition of a mannose-containing oligosaccharide chain. The metabolism of D-mannopyranose is linked to that of other hexoses. While it can be converted to fructose-6-phosphate and enter glycolysis, its specific metabolic pathways can differ from glucose. D-Mannopyranose can be found in some fruits and has been explored for its potential health benefits, although research is ongoing. Its chemical formula is C6H12O6.