The synthesis of a mannosyl-N-acetylglucosamine-l-asparagine compound: 2-acetamido-N-(l-aspart-4-oyl)-2-deoxy-3-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosylamine

The title compound, used in the synthesis of glycopeptides and as a reference substance in the structural elucidation of glycoproteins, was synthesized by condensation of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl bromide with 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-glucopyranosyl azide, followed by removal of the benzylidene group to give the disaccharide azide 6 and acetylation. The resulting fully acetylated disaccharide azide 7 was also obtained by treatment of the known 2-acetamido-1,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-3-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-glucopyranose with hydrogen chloride and then with silver azide. The azide 7 was reduced in presence of platinum oxide (Adams' catalyst), and the resulting amine was condensed with 1-benzyl N-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-aspartate in the presence of N,N′-dicyclocarbodiimide. The removal of the protective group was accomplished by hydrogenolysis and O-deacetylation. In a second route, the disaccharide azide 6 was reduced and then condensed with 1-benzyl N-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-aspartate, and the resulting product hydrogenolyzed.     

One-pot enzymatic production of β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-galactose (galacto-N-biose) from sucrose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-galactose (N-acetylgalactosamine)

β-d-Galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-galactose (galacto-N-biose, GNB) is an important core structure in functional sugar chains such as T-antigen disaccharide and the core 1 sugar chain in mucin glycoproteins. We successfully developed a one-pot enzymatic production of GNB from sucrose and GalNAc by the concomitant action of four enzymes: sucrose phosphorylase, UDP-glucose-hexose 1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, UDP-glucose 4-epimerase, and galacto-N-biose/lacto-N-biose I phosphorylase in the presence of UDP-glucose and phosphate, by modifying the method of lacto-N-biose I production [Nishimoto, M.; Kitaoka, M., Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem., 2007, 71, 2101-2104]. The reaction yield of GNB was 88% from GalNAc. GNB was isolated from the reaction mixture by crystallization after yeast treatment to obtain approximately 45 g of GNB in 95% purity from a 280-mL reaction mixture.     

Reactions of phenyl and ethyl 2-O-sulfonyl-1-thio-α-d-manno- and β-d-glucopyranosides with thionucleophiles

Persubstituted derivatives of phenyl and ethyl 2-O-sulfonyl-1-thio-α-d-manno- and β-d-glucopyranosides were synthesized and reacted either with PhSNa or with MeSNa. The phenyl-1-thio compounds afforded the dithio-1,2-cis-axial/equatorial-α-d-glucopyranosides or dithio-1,2-cis-equatorial/axial-β-d-mannopyranosides by means of S_N2 type of reactions. Starting from the ethyl-1-thio derivatives intramolecular 1,2-thio-migration took place predominantly. In the case of mannosides both nucleophilic reagents facilitate the formation of 1-SPh- or 1-SEt glycals by elimination. The formation of unsubstituted glycal could also be observed from the ethyl-1-thio derivatives, especially by using PhSNa as a nucleophile. The 1,2-dithio-glycosides are glycosyl donors affording 1,2-trans-2-thio-glycosides.     

Structure of Novel Enzyme in Mannan Biodegradation Process 4-O-β-d-Mannosyl-d-Glucose Phosphorylase MGP

The crystal structure of a novel component of the mannan biodegradation system, 4-O-β-d-mannosyl-d-glucose phosphorylase (MGP), was determined to a 1.68-Å resolution. The structure of the enzyme revealed a unique homohexameric structure, which was formed by using two helices attached to the N-terminus and C-terminus as a tab for sticking between subunits. The structures of MGP complexes with genuine substrates, 4-O-β-d-mannosyl-d-glucose and phosphate, and the product d-mannose-1-phosphate were also determined. The complex structures revealed that the invariant residue Asp131, which is supposed to be the general acid/base, did not exist close to the glycosidic Glc-O4 atom, which should be protonated in the catalytic reaction. Also, no solvent molecule that might mediate a proton transfer from Asp131 was observed in the substrate complex structure, suggesting that the catalytic mechanism of MGP is different from those of known disaccharide phosphorylases.     

Chemical synthesis of β-d-psicofuranosyl disaccharides

Disaccharides composed of a β-d-psicofuranosyl unit were prepared by the glycosylation reaction of monosaccharide acceptors including three 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-protected hexopyranoses with a d-psicofuranosyl benzyl phthalate derivative (4). A β-d-psicofuranosidic bond was formed by the TMSOTf-promoted reaction with high selectivity. Removal of the O-protecting groups from the resulting α-d-hexopyranosyl β-d-psicofuranosides furnished the first chemical synthesis of α-d-gluco-, α-d-galacto-, and α-d-mannopyranosyl β-d-psicofuranosides. The common β-d-psicofuranosyl donor 4 was derived efficiently from d-psicose in five steps.     

X-ray structure of 1,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β-d-erythro-pentopyranose

Peracetylated 2-deoxy-d-erythro-pentose (2-deoxy-d-ribose) was synthesized through the acetylation of 2-deoxy-d-ribose with acetic anhydride in pyridine, and the products (including all four ring forms) exist in form of either a white solid or a syrup. A single crystal of 1,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β-d-erythro-pentopyranose was obtained from the syrup and its structure was determined by X-ray diffraction. The crystal adopts the ¹C₄ conformation, presenting an orthorhombic system, space group P2₁2₁2₁ with Z = 4, unit cell dimensions a = 7.2274 (3) Å, b = 8.0938 (5) Å, and c = 22.0517 (11) Å.     

Crystal structures and thermal analyses of alkyl 2-deoxy-α-d-arabino-hexopyranosides

The crystal structures of alkyl 2-deoxy-α-d-arabino-hexopyranosides, with the alkyl chain lengths from C₈ to C₁₈, are established by the single crystal X-ray structural determination. The even-alkyl chain length derivatives crystallized orthorhombic, with space group P2₁2₁2₁, whereas the odd-alkyl chain length derivatives crystallized monoclinic, with space group P2₁. The sugar moieties retained a ⁴C₁ chair conformation and the conformation of the alkyl chains was all-trans. The molecules formed a bilayer structure, in which alkyl chains were interdigitated. The hydrogen bonds, originating from the sugar moieties, were observed in adjacent layers and also within the same layer, resulting in the formation of infinite chains. The alkyl chains arranged parallel to each other and formed planar structures. The thermal properties of the alkyl 2-deoxy glucosides were analyzed further. It was observed that none of the derivatives exhibited mesomorphism. This study establishes that the absence of the hydroxyl group at C-2 of the sugar moiety results in a non-mesogenic nature of the alkyl 2-deoxy-α-d-glycosides, as opposed to the profound mesogenic nature of the normal alkyl glycosides.     

A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry assay for d-Ala-d-Lac: A key intermediate for vancomycin resistance in vancomycin-resistant enterococci

Vancomycin exerts its antibacterial activity by binding to d-Ala-d-Ala in bacterial cell wall precursors. Vancomycin resistance in vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is due to an alternative cell wall biosynthesis pathway in which d-Ala-d-Ala is replaced, most commonly by d-Ala-d-Lac. In this study, we extend our recently developed Marfey’s derivatization-based liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) assay for l-Ala, d-Ala, and d-Ala-d-Ala to d-Ala-d-Lac and apply it to the quantitation of these metabolites in VRE. The first step in this effort was the development of an effective washing method for removing medium components from VRE cells. Mar-d-Ala-d-Lac was well resolved chromatographically from Mar-d-Ala-d-Ala, a prerequisite for MS/MS quantitation of d-Ala-d-Ala and d-Ala-d-Lac. Mar-d-Ala-d-Lac gave similar detection parameters, sensitivity, and linearity as Mar-d-Ala-d-Ala. l-Ala, d-Ala, d-Ala-d-Ala, and d-Ala-d-Lac levels in VRE were then determined in the presence of variable vancomycin levels. Exposure to vancomycin resulted in a dramatic reduction of d-Ala-d-Ala, with a response midpoint at approximately 0.06 μg/ml vancomycin and with a broad response profile up to 128 μg/ml vancomycin. In contrast, d-Ala-d-Lac was present in the absence of vancomycin, with its level constant up to 128 μg/ml vancomycin. This method will be useful for the discovery, characterization, and refinement of new agents targeting vancomycin resistance in VRE.     

Presence of 1→3-linked 2-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-α-l-arabinofuranosyl side chains in cereal arabinoxylans

The presence of a fairly uncommon side chain 2-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-α-l-arabinofuranosyl in arabinoxylans (AX) from eight different cereal by-products was investigated, using ¹H NMR spectroscopy and high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) after Shearzyme^® (GH10 endo-1,4-β-d-xylanase) hydrolysis. This disaccharide side group was present in significant amounts in AX extracted from corn cobs and barley husks. For the first time, it was also detected in AX from oat spelts and rice husks, and in lesser amounts in wheat straw AX. Arabinoxylo-oligosaccharide (AXOS) containing the 2-O-β-d-Xylp-α-l-Araf side chain was purified from the oat spelt AX hydrolysate and the structure was fully analyzed using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The AXOS was identified as β-d-Xylp-(1→2)-α-l-Araf-(1→3)-β-d-Xylp-(1→4)-d-Xyl. To our knowledge, such a structure with 2-O-β-d-Xylp-α-l-Araf attached to the O-3 of the nonreducing end of xylobiose has not been described previously. New information on substitution of AX from various cereal by-products was obtained by combining NMR and enzyme-assisted HPAEC-PAD analysis.     

Synthesis of potassium (2R)-2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-α-d-glucopyranosyl-2,3-dihydroxypropanoate a natural compatible solute

Ethyl 6-O-acetyl-2,3,4-tribenzyl-1-thio-d-glucopyranoside, as a mixture of anomers, was employed for the stereoselective synthesis of the potassium salt of (2R)-2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-α-d-glucopyranosyl-2,3-dihydroxypropanoic acid (α-d-glucosyl-(1→6)-α-d-glucosyl-(1→2)-d-glyceric acid, GGG), a recently isolated compatible solute. The α-anomer was by far the major product of both glycosylation reactions using NIS/TfOH as activator.     

Monoacylation of 2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid by protease in N,N-dimethylformamide with low water content

2-O-α-d-Glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid (AA-2G) laurate was synthesized from AA-2G and vinyl laurate with a protease from Bacillus subtilis in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) with low water content. Addition of water to DMF dramatically enhanced monoacyl AA-2G synthesis. Maximum synthetic activity was observed when 3% (v/v) water was added to the reaction medium. Under the optimal reaction conditions, 5-O-dodecanoyl-2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid, 2-O-(6′-O-dodecanoyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl)-l-ascorbic acid, and 6-O-dodecanoyl-2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid were synthesized in yields of 5.5%, 3.2%, and 20.4%, respectively.     

Synthesis of monodeoxy and mono-O-methyl congeners of methyl β-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-mannopyranoside for epitope mapping of anti-Candida albicans antibodies

A panel of six complementary monodeoxy and mono-O-methyl congeners of methyl β-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-mannopyranoside (1) were synthesized by stereoselective glycosylation of monodeoxy and mono-O-methyl monosaccharide acceptors with a 2-O-acetyl-glucosyl trichloroacetimidate donor, followed by a two-step oxidation-reduction sequence at C-2′. The β-manno configuration of the final deprotected congeners 2-7 was confirmed by measurement of ¹J_C1,H1 heteronuclear and ³J_1′,2′ homonuclear coupling constants. These disaccharide derivatives will be used to map the epitope recognized by a protective anti-Candida albicans monoclonal antibody C3.1 (IgG3) and to determine its key polar contacts with the binding site.     

Synthesis of 5-O-α-and-β-d-glucopyranosyl-d-glucofuranose and 5-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-d-fructopyranose (leucrose)

Reaction of 1,2-O-cyclopentylidene-α-d-glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone (2) with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide (1) gave 1,2-O-cyclopentylidene- 5-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl)-α-d-glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone (3, 45%) and 1,2-O-cyclopentylidene-5-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-α-d-glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone (4, 38%). Reduction of 3 and 4 with lithium aluminium hydride, followed by removal of the cyclopentylidene group, afforded 5-O-α-(9) and -β-d-glucopyranosyl-d-glucofuranose (12), respectively. Base-catalysed isomerization of 9 yielded crystalline 5-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-d-fructopyranose (leucrose, 53%).     

Synthesis of monodeoxy and mono-O-methyl congeners of methyl β-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-mannopyranoside for epitope mapping of anti-Candida albicans antibodies

A panel of six complementary monodeoxy and mono-O-methyl congeners of methyl β-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-mannopyranoside (1) were synthesized by stereoselective glycosylation of monodeoxy and mono-O-methyl monosaccharide acceptors with a 2-O-acetyl-glucosyl trichloroacetimidate donor, followed by a two-step oxidation-reduction sequence at C-2′. The β-manno configurations of the final deprotected congeners 2-7 were confirmed by measurement of ¹J_C1,H1 heteronuclear and ³J_1′,2′ homonuclear coupling constants. These disaccharide derivatives will be used to map the protective epitope recognized by a protective anti-Candida albicans monoclonal antibody C3.1 (IgG3) and to determine its key polar contacts with the binding site.     

Crystal structure of 2-deoxy-β-d-lyxo-hexose (2-deoxy-β-d-galactose)

2-Deoxy-β-d-lyxo-hexose (2-deoxy-β-d-galactose, C₆H₁₂O₅), M_r = 164.16, is monoclinic, P2₁ with a = 9.811(1), b = 6.953(1), c = 5.315(1) Å, β = 91.58(2)°, V = 362.5(1) ų, Z = 2, and D_x = 1.504 g.cm^?3. The structure was solved by direct methods (MULTAN 79) and refined to R = 0.032 for 800 observed reflections. Each hydroxyl oxygen, acting both as donor and acceptor, is involved in a hydrogen-bonding system, which consists of infinite helical chains around the crystallographic screw axes. Moreover, weak interactions allow the incorporation of the ring-oxygen atoms into an interconnected network.     

The structure of Cryptococcus neoformans galactoxylomannan contains β-d-glucuronic acid

The structure of galactoxylomannan, a capsular polysaccharide from the opportunistic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans, was re-examined by NMR spectroscopy and GC-MS. The residue that is 3-linked to the side chain galactose and was previously assigned as β-d-xylose [Vaishnav, V. V.; Bacon, B. E.; O’Neill, M.; Cherniak, R. Carbohydr. Res.1998, 306, 315-330] was determined to be β-d-glucuronic acid. A revised structure for this polymer is presented, along with a proposal that this compound be termed glucuronoxylomannogalactan (GXMGal).     

E versus Z geometry in β-d-arabino-hexopyranosidulose oximes

Koenigs-Knorr-type glycosidations of peracylated 2Z-benzoyloxyimino-glycopyranosyl bromides invariably proceed with retention of the Z-geometry. Accordingly, the many β-d-hexosidulose oximes in literature which were prepared in this way and for which the oxime geometry has not been addressed explicitly, are the Z-oximes throughout. By contrast, oximation of β-d-hexopyranosid-2-uloses leads to mixtures of E and Z oximes readily separable and structurally verifiable by ¹H and ¹³C NMR. Configurational assignments rested on comparative evaluation of NMR data of E and Z isomers, and, most notably on an X-ray structural analysis of the pivaloylated isopropyl 2E-benzoyloxyimino-2-deoxy-β-d-arabino-hexopyranoside revealing the unusual ¹S₅?^1,4B conformation for the pyranoid ring.     

Syntheses of 3-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-α-d-galactopyranose (“lacto-N-biose II”) and 3,4-di-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-d-galactopyranose

3- O-(2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-α-d-galactopyranose (10, “Lacto-N-biose II”) was synthesized by treatment of benzyl 6-O-allyl-2,4-di-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranoside with 2-methyl-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,2-dideoxy-α-d-glucopyrano)[2,1-d]-2-oxazoline (5), followed by selective O-deallylation, O-deacetylation, and catalytic hydrogenolysis. Condensation of 5 with benzyl 6-O-allyl-2-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranoside, followed by removal of the protecting groups, gave 10 and a new, branched trisaccharide, 3,4-di-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-d-galactopyranose (27).