Syntheses of arabinogalactans consisting of beta-(1-->6)-linked D-galactopyranosyl backbone and alpha-(1-->3)-linked L-arabinofuranosyl side chains

Two arabinogalactosyl nonasaccharides, beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-[alpha-L-Araf-(1-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-[alpha-L-Araf-(1-->5)-alpha-L-Araf-(1-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-beta-D-Galp and beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-[alpha-L-Araf-(1-->5)-alpha-L-Araf-(1-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-[alpha-L-Araf-(1-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-beta-D-Galp, were synthesized as their 4-methoxyphenyl glycosides with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (1), 6-O-acetyl-2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (14), 4-methoxyphenyl 3-O-allyl-2,4-di-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (2), 4-methoxyphenyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (5), 2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl trichloroacetimidate (8), and 2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1-->5)-2,3-di-O-benzoyl-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl trichloroacetimidate (11), as the key synthons. The tetra- (10) and pentasaccharide donor (13), and the tetra- (20) and pentasaccharide acceptor (22) were synthesized based on these synthons through simple transformations. Coupling of 22 with 10, and coupling of 20 with 13 and subsequent deacylation gave nonasaccharides 24 and 26, respectively, consisting of beta-(1-->6)-linked glactopyranosyl backbone and alpha-(1-->3)-linked arabinofuranosyl side chains of different size.     

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.     

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of a tetra- and octasaccharide fragment of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14

The chemo-enzymatic synthesis is described of tetrasaccharide 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) (1) and octasaccharide beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->6)-[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) (2), representing one and two tetrasaccharide repeating units of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 14 capsular polysaccharide. In a chemical approach, the intermediate linear trisaccharide 3 and hexasaccharide 4 were synthesized. Galactose residues were beta-(1-->4)-connected to the internal N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosamine residues by using bovine milk beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase. Both title oligosaccharides will be conjugated to carrier proteins to be tested as potential vaccines in animal models.     

Synthesis of the O-linked pentasaccharide in glycoproteins of Trypanosoma cruzi and selective sialylation by recombinant trans-sialidase

The mucin-like glycoproteins of Trypanosoma cruzi have novel O-linked oligosaccharides that are acceptors of sialic acid in the trans-sialidase (TcTS) reaction. The transference of sialic acid from host glycoconjugates to the mucins is involved in infection and pathogenesis. The synthesis of the pentasaccharide, beta-D-Galp-(1-->2)-[beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-[beta-D-Galf-(1-->4)]-D-GlcpNAc and the corresponding alditol, previously isolated by reductive beta-elimination of the mucins, is described. The key step was the 6-O-glycosylation of a easily accessible derivative of beta-D-Galf-(1-->4)-D-GlcpNAc with a beta-D-Galp-(1-->2)-[beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)]-D-Galp donor using the trichloroacetimidate method. The beta-linkage was diastereoselectively obtained by the nitrile effect. The pentasaccharide is the major oligosaccharide in the mucins of T. cruzi, G strain and presents two terminal beta-D-Galp residues for possible sialylation by TcTS. A preparative sialylation reaction was performed with its benzyl glycoside and the sialylated product was isolated and characterized. NMR spectroscopic analysis showed that selective monosialylation occurred at the terminal (1-->3) linked galactopyranose.     

Sulfated and pyruvylated disaccharide alditols obtained from a red seaweed galactan: ESIMS and NMR approaches

The water-soluble acid agaran isolated from Acanthophora spicifera (Rhodophyta) was submitted to alkaline treatment for the complete cyclization of alpha-L-Galp 6-sulfate to 3,6-An-alpha-L-Galp units. The modified agaran was then partially depolymerized using partial reductive hydrolysis. The resulting oligosaccharide mixture was fractionated by adsorption and ion-exchange chromatography. Fractions were purified by gel-filtration chromatography and studied by ESIMS and NMR spectroscopy, including 1D 1H, 13C, DEPT and 2D 1H, 1H COSY, TOCSY and 1H, 13C HMQC procedures. The following neutral, pyruvylated, sulfated and sulfated/pyruvylated disaccharide alditols were obtained: beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-3,6-An-L-GalOH; 4,6-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-3,6-An-L-GalOH; beta-D-Galp 2-sulfate-(1-->4)-3,6-An-L-GalOH and 4,6-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)-beta-D-Galp 2-sulfate-(1-->4)-3,6-An-L-GalOH.     

Purification and characterisation of a galactoglucomannan from kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa)

A galactoglucomannan (GGM) has been purified from the primary cell walls of ripe kiwifruit. A combination of barium hydroxide precipitation, anion exchange- and gel-permeation chromatography gave a chemically homogeneous polymer with a 1:2:2 galactose-glucose-mannose ratio and a molecular weight range of 16-42 kDa. Complete hydrolysis of the polymer with endo-1,4-beta-mannanase (EC 3.2.1.78) from Aspergillus niger gave a mixture of oligosaccharides, three of which (II, III, IV) accounted for more than 80% of the GGM. Structural characterisation of these oligosaccharides and the original polysaccharide was achieved by linkage analysis, 1D and 2D NMR spectrometry and enzymatic hydrolysis. Oligosaccharide II beta-D-Glcp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Manp-(1-->, III beta-D-Glcp-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Galp-(1-->6)]-beta-D-Manp-(1-->, and IV beta-D-Glcp-(1-->4)-[beta-D-Galp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Galp-(1-->6)]-beta-D-Manp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Manp-(1-->, appeared in the molar ratio of 2:1:1. A trace amount of mannobiose (I) was detected, indicating that some of the mannosyl residues were contiguous. It is concluded that the predominant structural feature of kiwifruit GGM is a backbone of alternating beta-(1-->4)-linked D-glucopyranosyl and D-mannopyranosyl residues, with approximately one third of the latter carrying side-chains at 0-6 of single alpha-D-Galp-(1--> residues (50% of the branches) or the disaccharide beta-D-Galp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Galp-(1--> (50% of the branches), the substituted residues being separated by three or five unsubstituted monosaccharide units.     

Synthesis and structural analysis of five novel oligosaccharides prepared by glucosyltransfer from beta-D-glucose 1-phosphate to isokestose and nystose using Thermoanaerobacter brockii kojibiose phosphorylase

Five novel oligosaccharides (tetra-, penta- and hexa-saccharides) were synthesized by glucosyltransfer from beta-D-glucose 1-phosphate to isokestose (O-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2-->1)-O-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2-->1)-alpha-D-glucopyranoside) or nystose (O-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2-->1)-O-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2-->1)-O-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2-->1)-alpha-D-glucopyranoside) using Thermoanaerobacter brockii kojibiose phosphorylase. The oligosaccharides were identified as 2(2-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)(m)isokestose; [O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)](m)-O-[beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2-->1)](2)-alpha-D-glucopyranoside: m=1, 2, and 3, and 2(2-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)(n)nystose; [O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)](n)-O-[beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2-->1)](3)-alpha-D-glucopyranoside: n=1 and 2 using gas liquid chromatography analysis of the methyl derivatives, and MALDI-TOF-MS and NMR measurements of the newly formed oligosaccharides. 1H, 13C NMR signals of each saccharide were assigned using 2D-NMR techniques, including COSY, HSQC, HSQC-TOCSY, HMBC, CH(2)-selected E-HSQC, and CH(2)-selected E-HSQC-TOCSY.     

Parasite glycoconjugates. Part 16: Synthesis of a disaccharide and phosphorylated di- and tri-saccharides from Leishmania lipophosphoglycan

A neutral disaccharide beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-alpha-D-Manp and phosphorylated di- and tri-saccharides beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-[H(2)PO(3)-6]-beta-D-Galp-O[CH(2)](8)CHCH(2) and beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-[H(2)PO(3)-6]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-alpha-D-Manp, which are fragments of the phosphoglycan portion of the surface lipophosphoglycan from Leishmania donovani (the disaccharide) or Leishmania major (all three compounds), were prepared and used as TLC standards to help the identification and differentiation of the elongating and branching beta-D-galactosyl transferase activities in Leishmania. The phosphosaccharides were synthesised using the H-phosphonate method for phosphorylation.     

Characterization of some O-acetylated saponins from Quillaja saponaria Molina

Sixteen saponins were identified from a bark extract of Quillaja saponaria Molina. The compounds were characterized, using NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and monosaccharide analysis, as quillaic acid substituted at C-3 with oligosaccharides consisting of a disaccharide, beta-D-Galp-(1-->2)-beta-D-GlcpA substituted with either D-xylose or L-rhamnose and at C-28 with complex oligosaccharide structures consisting of a disaccharide, alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->2)-4-O-acetyl-beta-D-Fucp, substituted with various amount of D-xylose. D-glucose, D-apiose, and L-rhamnose.     

Separation and structural analysis of some saponins from Quillaja saponaria Molina

A fraction of saponins from Quillaja saponaria Molina, QH-B, was fractionated by consecutive separations on three different reverse-phase HPLC systems. Eight compounds were isolated and the structures of these were elucidated mainly by sugar analysis and NMR spectroscopy. The structures consisted of a quillaic acid substituted with two different trisaccharides at C-3, beta-D-Galp-(1-->2)-[alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->3)]-beta-D-GlcpA and beta-D-Galp-(1-->2)-[beta-D-Xylp-(1-->3)]-beta-D-GlcpA, and a tetra- or pentasaccharide at C-28, beta-D-Xylp-(1-->4)-[beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)]-alpha-L-Rhap-(1--> 2)-beta-D-Fucp and beta-D-Apif-(1-->3)-beta-D-Xylp-(1-->4)-[beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3) ]-alpha-L- Rhap-(1-->2)-beta-D-Fucp. These compounds were further substituted with an acyl group either at O-3 or O-4 of the fucose residue, which is the sugar linked to C-28 of the quillaic acid.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of 2-azidoethyl-ganglio-oligosaccharides GD3, GT3, GM2, GD2, GT2, GM1, and GD1a

We have synthesized several ganglio-oligosaccharide structures using glycosyltransferases from Campylobacter jejuni. The enzymes, alpha-(2-->3/8)-sialyltransferase (Cst-II), beta-(1-->4)-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (CgtA), and beta-(1-->3)-galactosyltransferase (CgtB), were produced in large-scale fermentation from Escherichia coli and further characterized based on their acceptor specificities. 2-Azidoethyl-glycosides corresponding to the oligosaccharides of GD3 (alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->8)-alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-), GT3 (alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->8)-alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->8)-alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-), GM2 (beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-), GD2 (beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->8)-alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-), GT2 (beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->8)-alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->8)-alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-), and GM1 (beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-) were synthesized in high yields (gram-scale). In addition, a mammalian alpha-(2-->3)-sialyltransferase (ST3Gal I) was used to sialylate GM1 and generate GD1a (alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-) oligosaccharide. We also cloned and expressed a rat UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-4'epimerase (GalNAcE) in E. coli AD202 cells for cost saving in situ conversion of less expensive UDP-GlcNAc to UDP-GalNAc.     

Complete 1H- and 13C-n.m.r. assignments for two sulphated oligosaccharide alditols of hen ovomucin

The complete 1H- and 13C-n.m.r. assignments for beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-6-SO3H-(1----6)-[beta-D-Galp-(1----3 )]- D-GalNAcol and alpha-NeuAcp-(2----3)-beta-D-Galp-(1----3)-[beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-b eta-D- GlcpNAc-6-SO3H-(1----6)]-D-GalNAcol were made by a combination of 2-D correlation experiments (Relayed-Cosy; and 13C,1H Correlation-shift n.m.r. spectroscopy), and 1-D n.m.r. spectroscopy. The results illustrate the ability of these methods to locate sulphate and NeuAc groups in anionic mucinous glycoproteins.     

MM3 potential energy surfaces of trisaccharides. II. Carrageenan models containing 3,6-anhydro-D-galactose

The adiabatic potential energy surfaces (PES) of six trisaccharides-namely 3,6-An-alpha-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-3,6-An-alpha-D-Galp, beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-3,6-An-alpha-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galp, and their derivatives sulfated on positions 2 and 4 of the beta-galactose unit-were obtained using the MM3 force field. Each PES was described by a single contour map for which the energy is plotted against the two psi glycosidic angles, given the small variations of the phi glycosidic torsional angle in the low-energy regions of disaccharide maps. In five of the six examples, the surfaces are those expected from the maps of the disaccharidic repeating units of carrageenans, with less important factors altering the additive effect of both linkages. However, when a sulfate group is present on C2 of a beta-galactose reducing end, a new low-energy minimum in a different region is produced, originated in a hydrogen bond between the first and third monosaccharidic moieties of the trisaccharide. The flexibility of the beta-linkages is nearly identical to that in their disaccharide counterparts, while that of the alpha-linkages is slightly reduced, independent of their presence closer or further away from the reducing end. A fair agreement is observed between the x-ray fiber diffraction analysis for a kappa-carrageenan double helix and the surfaces obtained for the trisaccharide analogs of that polymer.     

An effective synthesis of an arabinogalactan with a beta-(1-->6)-linked galactopyranose backbone and alpha-(1-->2) arabinofuranose side chains

An octasaccharide, beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-[alpha-L-Araf-(1-->2)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-[alpha-L-Araf-(1-->5)-alpha-L-Araf-(1-->2)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-beta-D-Galp-1-->OMP was synthesized. 4-methoxyphenyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (5), 2,6-di-O-acetyl-3,4-di-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (9), and 4-methoxyphenyl 2-O-acetyl-3,4-di-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (11), 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (12), and 2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl trichloroacetimidate (17) were used as the synthons. A concise route was used to gain the tetrasaccharide donor 19 by the use of 11, 12, 5, and 17. Meanwhile, treatment of 5 with 9 yielded beta-(1-->6)-linked disaccharide 20, and subsequent selective 6-O-deacetylation produced the disaccharide acceptor 21. Reaction of 21 with 19 gave 22, and subsequent selective 2-O-deacetylation afforded the hexasaccharide acceptor 23. Condensation of 23 with alpha-L-(1-->5)-linked arabinofuranose disaccharide 24, followed by deprotection, yielded the target octasaccharide.     

Primary structure of four human milk octa-, nona-, and undeca-saccharides established by 1H- and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

The structures of two octasaccharides, one nonasaccharide, and one undecasaccharide, isolated from human milk, have been investigated by 1H- and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The structures of these oligosaccharides are: beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-[alpha-L-Fucp- (1----3)]-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----3)-beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-[alpha-L-Fucp+ ++- (1----3)]-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----3)-beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-D-Glc; beta-D-GALp-(1----3)-[alpha-L-Fucp-(1----4)]-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1---- 3)-beta-D - Galp-(1----4)-[alpha-L-Fucp-(1----3)]-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----3)-beta -D-Galp- (1----4)-D-Glc; beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-[alpha-L-Fucp-(1----3)]-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1---- 6)-(alpha - L-Fucp-(1----2)-beta-D-Gal-(1----3)-[alpha-L-Fucp-(1----4)]- beta-D-GlcpNAc- (1----3))-beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-D-Glc; and alpha-L-Fucp-(1----2)-beta-D-Galp-(1----3)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----3) -beta-D- Galp-(1----4)-[alpha-L-Fucp-(1----3)]-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----6)-[alp ha-L- Fucp-(1----2)-beta-D-Galp-(1----3)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----3)]-beta-D -Galp- (1----4)-D-Glc. The two octasaccharides have been previously isolated from human milk as a mixture, and in a pure form from new-born feces, but the n.m.r. data were not provided. These two octasaccharides display the di-Lewis X and the composite Lewis A-Lewis X antigenic determinant, previously described as neo-antigens of adenocarcinoma cell lines.     

The use of NMR residual dipolar couplings in aqueous dilute liquid crystalline medium for conformational studies of complex oligosaccharides

C-H dipolar coupling values were measured for a natural-abundance sample of the pentasaccharide beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-[alpha-L-Fucp-(1-->4)]-beta-D-GlcNAcp-(1 -->3)-beta-D- Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp ('lacto-N-fucopentaose 2') (LNF-2), in a 7.5% solution of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine-dihexanoyl phosphatidylcholine bicelle liquid crystals oriented in the NMR magnetic field. Interpretation of the dipolar coupling data and NOE confirms the conformational model for the Lewis(a) trisaccharide epitope based on NOE, molecular dynamics simulations, and scalar coupling data and provided new structural information for the remaining residues of the pentasaccharide. Since residual dipolar coupling provides information on long-range order, it is a valuable complement to other types of NMR data such as NOE and scalar coupling for exploring conformations of complex oligosaccharides.     

Biosynthesis of the blood group Pk and P1 antigens by human kidney microsomes.

On human erythrocytes, the membrane components associated with Pk and P1 blood-group specificity are glycosphingolipids that carry a common terminal alpha-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D-Gal unit, the biosynthesis of which is poorly understood. Human kidneys typed for P1 and P2 (non-P1) blood-group specificity have been assayed for (1----4)-alpha-D-galactosyltransferase activity by use of lactosylceramide [beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D-Glcp-ceramide] and paragloboside [beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----3)-beta-D-Galp- (1----4)-beta-D-Glcp-ceramide] as acceptor substrates. The linkage and anomeric configuration of the galactosyl group transferred into the reaction products were established by methylation analysis before and after alpha- and beta-D-galactosidase treatments, as well as by immunostaining using specific monoclonal antibodies directed against the Pk and P1 antigens. The results demonstrated that the microsomal proteins from P1 kidneys catalyze the synthesis of Pk [alpha-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D-Glcp-ceramide] and P1 [alpha-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----3)-beta -D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D-Glcp-ceramide] glycolipids, whereas microsomes from P2 kidney catalyze the synthesis of the Pk glycolipid, but not of the P1 glycolipid. Competition studies using a mixture of two oligosaccharides (methyl beta-lactoside and methyl beta-lacto-N- neotetraoside) or of two glycolipids (lactosylceramide and paragloboside) as acceptors indicated that these substrates do not compete for the same enzyme in the microsomal preparation from P1 kidneys. The results suggested that the Pk and P1 glycolipids are synthesized by two distinct enzymes.     

Chemical synthesis of sulfated oligosaccharides with a beta-D-Gal-(1-->3)

The syntheses of two sulfated pentasaccharides: beta-D-Gal6SO3Na-(1-->3)-[beta-D-Gal-(1-->4)-alpha-L-Fuc-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glc-NAc-(1-->6)]-alpha-D-GalNAc-->OMe (1) and beta-D-Gal6SO3Na-(1-->3)-[beta-D-Gal-(1-->4)-alpha-L-Fuc-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glc-NAc6SO3Na-(1-->6)]-alpha-D-GalNAc-->OMe (2) by using Lewisx trisaccharides 12 and 16 as glycosyl donors are described. Sulfated oligosaccharides 1-2 and intermediate compounds are fully characterized by 2D 1H-1H DQF-COSY and 2D ROESY experiments.     

Structural analysis of the lipopolysaccharide oligosaccharide epitopes expressed by Haemophilus influenzae strain RM.118-26.

The structure of the lipopolysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae mutant strain, RM.118-26, was investigated. Electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry on intact lipopolysaccharide, O-deacylated lipopolysaccharide and core oligosaccharides obtained from lipopolysaccharide after mild acid hydrolysis provided information on the composition and relative abundance of the glycoforms. Oligosaccharide samples were studied in detail using high-field NMR techniques. The structure of the major glycoform containing phosphocholine is identical to the Hex2 glycoform described for H. influenzae RM.118-28 [Risberg, A., Schweda, E.K.H. & Jansson, P.-E. (1997) Eur. J. Biochem. 243, 701-707]. A second major glycoform, containing three hexose residues (Hex3), in which a lactose unit, beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp, is attached at the O-2 position of the terminal heptose of the inner core element, L-alpha-D-Hepp-(1-->2)-L-alpha-D-Hepp-(1-->3)-[beta-D-Glcp-( 1-->4)-]- L-alpha-D-Hepp-(1-->5)-alpha-Kdo, carries no phosphocholine. Instead this lipopolysaccharide glycoform is partly (40%) substituted by an O-acetyl group linked to the 6-position of the glucose residue in the lactose unit and has the following structure:     

Chemical synthesis of analogs of the glycopeptide contulakin-G, an analgetically active conopeptide from Conus geographus

Cone snails are marine predators that use immobilizing venoms for catching prey. Chemical analysis of the venoms has revealed a variety of biologically active small and intermediate size peptides rich in post-translational modifications (modified amino acids, glycosylation). The glycopeptide contulakin-G (pGlu-Ser-Glu-Glu-Gly-Gly-Ser-Asn-Ala-[beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-GalpNAc-(1-->]Thr-Lys-Lys-Pro-Tyr-Ile-Leu-OH) is a potent analgesic from Conus geographus venom. The in vivo activity of synthetic contulakin-G was previously found to be significantly higher compared to that of a peptide lacking the glycan. In order to further investigate the importance of the glycan, we have now synthesized analogs of contulakin-G where the glycan chain O-linked to threonine has been altered either to beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc-, alpha-D-Galp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-GalpNAc-, or beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-alpha-D-GalpNAc-. The glycopeptides were assembled on a Wang resin using commercially available Fmoc amino acids and synthetically prepared Fmoc-protected threonine derivatives carrying O-acetyl protected sugar chains. The final products were thoroughly characterized by NMR and mass spectroscopy.