Maltoheptaose

Maltoheptaose (CAS No.: 34620-78-5) is a linear malto-oligosaccharide composed of seven glucose units that serves as a biologically relevant carbohydrate intermediate in glycogen and starch metabolism and is widely utilized in biochemical and enzymology research. Functionally, it can act as an activator of specific enzyme activities, notably enhancing the catalytic efficiency of phosphorylase B through interactions at or near the enzyme active site, thereby influencing glycogenolysis and broader glucose metabolism and energy regulation pathways. In addition, maltoheptaose is commonly employed as a substrate in studies of α-amylase and related glycosidases to investigate transglycosylation and hydrolytic mechanisms, making it valuable for probing carbohydrate-processing enzymes and their kinetics. Through its ability to modulate enzymatic activity and participate in the formation of phosphorylated sugar intermediates, it is frequently applied in metabolic pathway analysis and the study of metabolic disorders, as well as in precision medicine research focused on carbohydrate metabolism. In vitro studies typically utilize maltoheptaose across micromolar to millimolar concentration ranges depending on assay sensitivity and enzyme affinity, while its use in cell-based or in vivo systems is adapted to specific experimental objectives. Overall, maltoheptaose represents a versatile tool compound for elucidating enzyme function, screening carbohydrate-active enzymes, and exploring regulatory mechanisms in metabolic research and drug discovery.