The synthesis of water-insoluble glucan by a glucosyltransferase preparation from Streptococcus mutans is associated with a lag period lasting several minutes. The addition of small amounts of glucan containing significant amounts of α-(1→3) linkages causes a marked reduction of the lag 'period with little change in the reaction rate. A similar effect was not observed with other glucans, such as dextran, dextrin, and cellulose.
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