Synthesis of oligosaccharide fragments of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3

Di-, tri- and tetrasaccharide fragments of the linear chain of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 consisting of glucose and glucuronic acid residues connected with beta 1----3- and beta 1----4-glycosidic linkage have been synthesised. A new method for selective deprotection of C3-hydroxyl group in the glucopyranuronic acid moiety is proposed.     

Synthesis of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14

Synthesis of the regular branched polysaccharide [-6(Gal beta 1-4)GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-]n structurally corresponding to capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14 involves blockwise synthesis of a tritylated 1,2-O-(1-cyano)ethylidene tetrasaccharide derivative from lactosamine and lactose precursors followed by stereospecific polycondensation of the tetrasaccharide monomer.     

Synthesis of oligosaccharides corresponding to Streptococcus pneumoniae type 9 capsular polysaccharide structures

Two trisaccharides, alpha-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-ManpNAc-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp and alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-ManpNAc-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp, corresponding to structures from Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides type 9A, L, V and type 9N, respectively, have been synthesised as 2-aminoethyl glycosides and as protected TMSE glycosides. Ethyl thioglycosides were used as glycosyl donors and NIS/TfOH (in CH(2)Cl(2) for beta-linkages) and DMTST (in Et(2)O for alpha-linkages) as promoters in the glycosylations. The beta-ManNAc motif was introduced at the disaccharide level by azide displacement of a 2-O-triflate with beta-D-gluco configuration. The protecting group patterns allow continued syntheses of larger structures.     

Synthesis of trisaccharide methyl glycosides related to fragments of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 18C.

The synthesis is reported of methyl 3-O-(4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-alpha-D- glucopyranosyl)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (1), methyl 2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-beta-D- galactopyranoside (3), methyl 3-O-(4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-alpha-L- rhamnopyranoside 3-(sn-glycer-3-yl sodium phosphate) (2), and methyl 2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-4-O-beta-D- glucopyranosyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside 3-(sn-glycer-3-yl sodium phosphate) (4), which are trisaccharide methyl glycosides related to fragments of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 18C ([----4)-beta-D- Glcp-(1----4)-[alpha-D-Glcp-(1----2)]-[Glycerol-(1-P----3)]-beta-D-Galp - (1----4)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1----3)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1----]n). Ethyl 4-O-acetyl-2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranoside (10) was coupled with benzyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (6). Deacetylation of the product, followed by condensation with 2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-3-O-allyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (18), gave benzyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-3-O-[2,3,6-tri-O- benzyl-4-O-(2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-3-O-allyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-alpha- D- glucopyranosyl]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (19). Acetolysis of 19, followed by methylation, deallylation (----22), and further deprotection afforded 1. Condensation of methyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-3-O-[2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,4,6-tri- O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl]-alpha-L- rhamnopyranoside (22) with 1,2-di-O-benzyl-sn-glycerol 3-(triethyl-ammonium phosphonate) (24), followed by oxidation and deprotection, yielded 2. Condensation of ethyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranoside (27) with methyl 3-O-allyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-beta-D-galactopyranoside (28), selective benzylidene ring-opening of the product, coupling with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (31), and deallylation afforded methyl 6-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-2-O- (2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (33). Deprotection of 33 gave 3, and condensation of 33 with 24, followed by oxidation and deprotection, gave 4.     

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of tetra-, penta-, and hexasaccharide fragments of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14

The chemo-enzymatic synthesis is described of beta-D-Glcp-(1-->6)-[beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)]-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->O(CH(2))(6)NH(2) (1), beta-D-Glcp-(1-->6)-[beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)]-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->O(CH(2))(6)NH(2) (2), beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->O(CH(2))(6)NH(2) (3), and beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->6)-[beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)]-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->O(CH(2))(6)NH(2) (4), representing fragments of the repeating unit of the Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 14 capsular polysaccharide. Linear intermediate oligosaccharides 5-8 were synthesized via chemical synthesis, followed by enzymatic galactosylation using bovine milk beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase as a catalyst. The title oligosaccharides form suitable compounds for conjugation with carrier proteins, to be tested as potential vaccines in animal models.     

The specific capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 9V

The specific capsular polysaccharide produced by Streptococcus pneumoniae type 9V (American type 68) is composed of D-glucuronic acid (1 part), D-galactose (1 part), 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-mannose (1 part), D-glucose (2 parts), and O-acetyl (1.6 parts). Methylation, periodate oxidation, optical rotation, and nuclear magnetic resonance studies, and partial hydrolysis showed that the polysaccharide is an unbranched high molecular weight linear polymer of a partially O-acetylated pentasaccharide repeating unit having the structure indicated below. (Formula: see text).     

Mechanism of type 3 capsular polysaccharide synthesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae

The glycosidic linkages of the type 3 capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae ([3)-beta-D-GlcUA-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glc-(1-->](n)) are formed by the membrane-associated type 3 synthase (Cps3S), which is capable of synthesizing polymer from UDP sugar precursors. Using membrane preparations of S. pneumoniae in an in vitro assay, we observed type 3 synthase activity in the presence of either Mn(2+) or Mg(2+) with maximal levels seen with 10-20 mM Mn(2+). High molecular weight polymer synthesized in the assay was composed of Glc and glucuronic acid and could be degraded to a low molecular weight product by a type 3-specific depolymerase from Bacillus circulans. Additionally, the polymer bound specifically to an affinity column made with a type 3 polysaccharide-specific monoclonal antibody. The polysaccharide was rapidly synthesized from smaller chains and remained associated with the enzyme-containing membrane fraction throughout its synthesis, indicating a processive mechanism of synthesis. Release of the polysaccharide was observed, however, when the level of one of the substrates became limiting. Finally, addition of sugars to the growing type 3 polysaccharide was shown to occur at the nonreducing end of the polysaccharide chain.     

Synthesis of a tetrasaccharide unit of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 9V

In the synthesis of 8-methoxycarbonyloctyl O-(alpha-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----3)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D- mannopyranosyl)-(1----4)-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-alpha-D- glucopyranoside, which represents a component of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 9V, the key step was the coupling of alpha-D-Galp-(1----3)-beta-D-ManpNAc-(1----4)-D-Glc as glycosyl donor with 8-ethoxy-carbonyloctyl 6-O-acetyl-2,3-di-O-benzyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside as glycosyl acceptor by use of the imidate method. Only the beta-imidate of the trisaccharide could be employed in this glycosidation reaction to give stereoselectively the tetrasaccharide in high yield. The alpha-imidate of the trisaccharide led to hydrolysis of the imidate group.     

Structural studies of the capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae type 7A

Application of methylation analysis, specific degradations, and n.m.r. spectroscopy to the capsular polysaccharide elaborated by Streptococcus pneumoniae type 7A indicates a hexasaccharide repeating-unit with the structure (Formula; see text).     

Structural studies of the capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae type 18F

The structure of the capsular polysaccharide elaborated by Streptococcus pneumoniae type 18F (S18F) has been investigated by using n.m.r. spectroscopy, methylation analysis, and characterisation of oligosaccharides obtained on partial hydrolysis. It is concluded that the polysaccharide is composed of pentasaccharide repeating-units having the following structure. (formula; see text) In this structure, the absolute configuration of the glycerol phosphate moiety has not been determined, but is assumed to be D-glycerol 1-phosphate (sn-glycerol 3-phosphate). The location of an O-acetyl group at O-6 of the terminal alpha-D-glucopyranosyl groups is tentative only.     

Two synthetic antigens related to Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 capsular polysaccharide

The synthesis of the allyl beta-glycosides (8 and 20, respectively) of beta-D-GlcpA-(1----4)-D-Glcp and beta-D-Glcp-(1----3)-D-GlcpA (overlapping disaccharide fragments A and B) in the linear chain of the capsular polysaccharide (S3) from Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 is described. Oxidation of allyl 2,3,6,2',3',4'-hexa-O-acetyl-beta-cellobioside with chromic acid and saponification of the product gave 8. The synthesis of 20 involved glycosylation of methyl 5-O-acetyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-glucofuranuronate or its 3-O-trityl derivative and subsequent furanose----pyranose transformation. The derivatives 8 and 20 were each copolymerised with acrylamide. In serological tests (enzyme immunoassay and passive hemagglutination), the resulting antigens exhibited the specificity of S3. It was concluded that fragment A was a much stronger immunodeterminant than fragment B.     

Synthesis of oligosaccharides related to the repeating unit of the capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae type 37

A tetra- and a pentasaccharide were synthesized as analogues to the structure of the Streptococcus pneumoniae type 37 capsular polysaccharide, a homopolymer with a disaccharide-repeating unit of -->3)[beta-D-Glcp-(1-->2)]-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->. Synthesis of the tetrasaccharide employed a beta-(1-->2)-diglycosylation of a beta-(1-->3)-linked disaccharide. Subsequently, the pentasaccharide was synthesized from a suitably protected tetrasaccharide derivative by a beta-(1-->3)-extension at O-3'. Steric crowding was found to be an important factor in the formation of the pentasaccharide.     

Synthesis of a spacer-containing repeating unit of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 23F.

The synthesis is reported of 3-aminopropyl 4-O-(4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-beta-D- galactopyranosyl)-beta-L-rhamnopyranoside 3'-(glycer-2-yl sodium phosphate) (25 beta), which represents the repeating unit of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 23F (American type 23) [(----4)-beta-D-Glcp-(1----4)-[Glycerol-(2-P----3)] [alpha-L- Rhap-(1----2)]-beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-L-Rhap-(1----)n). 2,4,6-Tri-O-acetyl-3-O-allyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (5) was coupled with ethyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-1-thio-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (6). Deacetylation of the resulting disaccharide derivative, followed by benzylidenation, and condensation with 2,3,4-trio-O-acetyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (10) afforded ethyl 4-O-[3-O-allyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-O-(2,3,4-trio-O-acetyl- alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl]-2,3-di-O-benzyl-1-thio - alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (11). Deacetylation of 11, followed by benzylation, selective benzylidene ring-opening, and coupling with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (15) gave ethyl 4-O-[3-O-allyl-6-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6- tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-2-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-L- rhamnopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl]-2,3-di-O-benzyl-1-thio-alpha-L - rhamnopyranoside (16). Deacetylation of 16 followed by benzylation, deallylation, and acetylation yielded ethyl 4-O-[3-O-acetyl-6-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-beta-D-glucopy ran osyl)- 2-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl ]-2,3- di-O-benzyl-1-thio-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (20). The glycosyl bromide derived from 20, when coupled with 3-benzyloxycarbonylamino-1-propanol, gave the beta-glycoside (21 beta) as the major product. Deacetylation of 21 beta followed by condensation with 1,3-di-O-benzylglycerol 2-(triethylammonium phosphonate) (27), oxidation, and deprotection, afforded 25 beta.     

Synthesis of capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14. 3. Synthesis of a monomer for polycondensation

Synthesis of a tritylated tetrasaccharide 1,2-O-(1-cyano) ethylidene derivative is described by glycosylation of 3,6-di-O-benzoyl-4-O-(2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-beta- D-galactopyranosyl)-1,2-O-[1-(exo-cyano)ethylidene]-alpha-D- glucopyranose with 6-O-acetyl-3-O-benzoyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyl-beta- D-galactopyranosyl)-2-deozy-2-phthalimido-D-glucopyranosyl. bromide followed by selective deacetylation and tritylation.     

Synthesis of capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14. 4. Polycondensation of the monomer and characteristics of the polysaccharide

Synthesis of a regular branched polysaccharide [6(Gal beta 1-4)GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1]n whose structure corresponds to that of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14, is described, involving a stereospecific polycondensation of the tetrasaccharide monomer, deacylation, and N-acetylation.     

Synthesis of a selectively protected trisaccharide building block of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae types 6A and 6B

4-Methoxybenzyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-3-O-[2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-3-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-D- galactopyranosyl)-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (22), a building block for the alpha-D-Galp-(1----3)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1----3)-alpha-L-Rhap fragment of the capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae types 6A and 6B [----2)-alpha-D-Galp-(1----3)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1----3)-alpha-L-Rhap-( 1----X)-D- RibOH-(5-P----]n (6A, X = 3; 6B, X = 4) has been synthesised. Ethyl 3-O-allyl-2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranoside was coupled with 4-methoxybenzyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside in ether, using methyl triflate as promoter. The resulting alpha-D-Glcp-(1----3)-alpha-L-Rhap derivative was deallylated with KOBut in N,N-dimethylformamide followed by 0.1M HCl in 9:1 acetone-water. The product was coupled with 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-O-allyl-alpha,beta-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate in ether, using trimethylsilyl triflate, to yield 19. Deacetylation, benzylation, and deallylation then gave 22.     

Structural analysis and chemical depolymerization of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 1

NMR spectroscopy can be used to characterize bacterial polysaccharides such as that of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 1 which is a component of the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine in clinical use. This particular polysaccharide gives NMR spectra with wide lines apparently due to restricted molecular mobility and chain flexibility which leads to rapid dipolar T(2) relaxation limiting the possibility of detailed spectral analysis. Removal of O-acetyl groups found on approximately two thirds of the repeating subunits of pneumococcal type 1 capsule leads to narrower NMR lines facilitating a complete assignment of the 1H and 13C NMR spectra. Degradation of the polysaccharide by periodate oxidation followed by base treatment leads to an oligosaccharide fragment of approximately three repeating trisaccharide units. This oligosaccharide has narrow NMR lines and 1H and 13C assignments very similar to those of the O-deacetylated polysaccharide. In the native polysaccharide, O-acetyl groups are located on the 2- and 3-positions of the 4-linked galacturonic acid residue providing protection against periodate oxidation. Analysis of NOESY spectra combined with molecular modeling of the oligosaccharide shows that flexibility occurs in certain of the saccharide linkages.     

A carbohydrate-containing copolymer with the specificity of a capsular polysaccharide of type 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae

The synthesis of allyl beta-glycoside of cellobiuronic acid by chemical modification of cellobiose was described. The carbohydrate-containing polymers with different content of determinant groups were obtained via radical copolymerization of this hapten with acrylamide. The copolymer which contained 27% carbohydrates and had molecular mass about 100-300 kilodaltons had the serological specificity of the capsular polysaccharide Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 as shown by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.