D-Galactose 6-phosphate: anomeric distribution and analysis of its synthesis from D-galactose and polyphosphoric acid

D-Galactose 6-phosphate as synthesized by direct phosphorylation of D-galactose with polyphosphoric acid is contaminated with two of its positional isomers. These were separated from D-galactose 6-phosphate and from each other, and identified as D-galactose 3- and 5-phosphate by enzymic, chromatographic, and mass-spectral analysis. The previous misidentification of these isomers as furanose forms of D-galactose 6-phosphate has led to erroneous reports concerning the anomeric distribution of D-galactose 6-phosphate. The anomeric distribution of D-galactose 6-phosphate in a purified preparation was determined by gas-liquid chromatography and ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy to be 32% α-pyranose, 64% β-pyranose, and no more than 4% furanose anomers.     

Synthesis of 2,5,6- and 3,5,6-tri-O-methyl-D-galactose

Starting from methyl β-D-galactofuranoside, 3,5,6-tri-O-methyl-D-galactose (9) and 2,5,6-tri-O-methyl-D-galactose (16) were synthesized. The alditol acetates were prepared from 9 and 16, and their behavior in g.l.c. was compared. Mass spectra of the alditol acetates from 9 and 16 showed that these compounds gave fragmentations as expected. The alditol acetate from 16 was also prepared by an alternative route.     

Selenium derivatives of L-arabinose, D-ribose,and D-xylose

Attempted cyclization of 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-5-seleno-L-arabinose dimethyl acetal in acidic solution gave the corresponding diselenide. Intramolecular attack by the selenobenzyl group at C-5 of 5-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-L-arabinose dibenzyl diseleno-acetal resulted in the formation of benzyl 1,5-diseleno-L-arabinopyranoside. Similarly, 2,3,5-tri-O-methyl-4-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-D-xylose dibenzyl diselenoacetal gave benzyl 2,3,5-tri-O-methyl-1,4-diseleno-L-arabinofuranoside, and 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-5-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-D-xylose (or ribose) dibenzyl diselenoacetal gave benzyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-1,5-diseleno-D-xylo- (or ribo-)pyranoside. The glycosylic benzylseleno group was removed from the pyranoside with mercuric acetate, but attempted deacetylation of the product led to decomposition and not to the expected 5-seleno-D-xylopyranose.     

Proton magnetic resonance spectra of D-gluco-oligosaccharides and D-glucans

The p.m.r. spectra of some D-gluco-oligosaccharides and D-glucans in deuterium oxide were studied with respect to the anomeric proton. In (1→2)-linked glucobioses, the effect of change in configuration of the hydroxyl group at C-1 on the chemical shifts of the glycosidic proton is noted. Equilibrium mixtures of (1→2)-linked glucobioses contained more α-anomer than did the other examples, despite the cis configuration of substituents at C-1 and C-2. Some D-glucans were investigated with regard to the degree of branching, although solubility was a limitation.     

The oxidation of terminal D-galactofuranose residues of a galactan and a glycoprotein by a D-galactose Oxidase preparation from Dactylium dendroides

A galactan, isolated from the unicellular organism Prototheca zopfii, and a glycoprotein from a hyphal cell-wall fraction of the fungus Pithomyces chartarum have been oxidised by a D-galactose oxidase preparation from Dactylium dendroides. The oxidised polymers were subsequently reduced with sodium borotritide. The site of oxidation was identified as C-6 of non-reducing D-galactofuranosyl residues in both polymers.     

Methanolysis of D-galacturonic acid: dimethyl acetals

Dimethyl acetals of D-galacturono-6,3-lactone and methyl D-galacturonate have been detected during methanolysis of D-galacturonic acid. The products of methanolysis were studied by ion-exchange chromatography and by g.l.c. of the trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives. Structural determinations were made from the mass spectra of the TMS derivatives. The course of methanolysis was monitored by g.l.c.     

Preparation of some acylated D-arabino-hexopyranosuloses and 4-deoxy-D-glycero-hex-3-enopyranosuloses

Oxidation of 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyl-α- and β-D-glucopyranose gave the tetra-O-benzoyl-α- and -β-D-arabino-hexopyranosuloses (3α and β), from which benzoic acid was readily eliminated to give the anomeric tri-O-benzoyl-4-deoxy-D-glycero-hex-3-enopyranosuloses (4α and β). The anomeric 1-O-acetyl-tri-O-benzoyl-D-arabino-hexopyranosuloses (7α and β) were obtained as very unstable syrups which readily lost benzoic acid. Treatment of tetra-O-benzoyl-2-O-benzyl-D-glucopyranose (1) with hydrogen bromide gave 3,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide (5) in one step.     

α-D-mannosidase and α-D-galactosidase from protein bodies of Lupinus angustifolius cotyledons

Two forms of p-nitrophenyl α-D-mannosidase and p-nitrophenyl α-D-galactosidase were purified from the protein bodies of mature Lupinus angustifolius seeds. A MW of 300 000 was calculated for both α-mannosidase A and B with K_m = 1.92 and 2.70 mM and activation energies of 10.9 and 10.8 kcal/mol, respectively. α-Galactosidase I and II had MWs of 70800 and 17000 with K_m = 0.282 and 0.556 mM and activation energies 17.7 and 11.5 kcal/mol, respectively. The enzymes had acid pH optima and were inhibited by various metal ions, carbohydrates and glycoproteins. They were able to release free sugar from several putative natural substrate oligosaccharides and the Lupinus storage glycoprotein, α-conglutin.     

Untersuchungen zur modifikation der cellobiose und synthese von methyl-2,6-didesoxy-4-O-(6-desoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-α-D-arabino-hexopyranosid (methyl-4-O-β-D-chinovosyl-α-D-olivosid)

Starting with cellobiosides, several different procedures were employed to prepare 6,6′-dichloro-6,6′-dideoxy, 6,6′-dibromo-6,6′-dideoxy, and 6,6′-dideoxy-6,6′-diiodo derivatives. Reduction with lithium aluminum hydride or nickel boride afforded peracetyl derivatives of methyl, phenyl, and benzyl 6-deoxy-4-O-(6-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside. Following acetolysis or hydrogenolysis, the glycosyl halide and the corresponding-glycal 40 were prepared. Iodomethoxylation of 40 and subsequent reduction gave the title compound. Alternatively, the halomethoxylation products of cellobial hexaacetate gave, by various procedures, the 2,6,6′-trideoxy-2,6,6′-trihalo derivatives, which, in turn, could be reduced to the title compound. The structures of the derivatives prepared were unequivocally assigned by n.m.r. spectroscopy. The various reaction sequences were compared with respect to the number of steps and the yields obtained.     

Spontaneous reactions of the irreversible β-D-galactosidase inhibitor 2,6-anhydro-1-deoxy-1-diazo-D-glycero-L-manno-heptitol

2,6-Anhydro-1-deoxy-1-diazo-D-glycero-L-manno-heptitol (2) decomposes in 0.01M methanolic sodium methoxide with a half-life of approx. 18 min. Decomposition in aqueous solution is too rapid for spectrophotometric measurement. Seven products could be identified in methanolic and aqueous reaction mixtures. 2,6-Anhydro-1-deoxy-D-galacto-hept-1-enitol (6), 2,7-anhydro-1-deoxy-β-D-galacto-heptulopyranose (10), and 4-O-vinyl-D-lyxose (12) are products of rapid intramolecular reactions. The major portion consists of the direct solvolysis products 2,6-anhydro-1-O-methyl-D-glycero-L-manno-heptitol (3) and 2,6-anhydro-D-glycero-L-manno-heptitol (5).     

Enzymic determination of d-galactose, d-arabinose,and their homologs

The enzymes d-galactose dehydrogenase and d-arabinose dehydrogenase were demonstrated to be applicable to the quantitative determination of d-galactose (and homologs) and d-arabinose (and homologs), respectively. The enzymic reactions were quite specific. When coupled with β-galactosidase, d-galactose dehydrogenase could be used in the quantitative determination of β-galactosides.     

The preparation of 6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-6-nitro-D-altrose

The title compound(9) a new nitro sugar and potential starting-point for the synthesis of hitherto unknown stereoisomers in the deoxynitroinositol series, was prepared by a sequence of high-yielding reactions. Methyl 2.3-anhydro-4.6-O- benzylidene-α-D-mannopyranoside was converted into methyl 3-O-methyl-α-D-altropyranoside(3) by the action of sodium methoxide followed by debenzylidenation esssentially according to established procedures. Acetolysis of3 and subsequent Zemple´n transesterification gave syrupy 3-O-methyl-D-altrose, from which the furanoid 1,2:5.6-di-O-isopropylidene and 1,2-O-isopropylidene(7) derivatives were prepared by standard acetonation and partial Hydrolysis Periodate oxidation of 7, and addition of nitromethane to the product. furnished crystalline 6-deoxy-1.2-O-isopropylidene-3-O-methyl-6-nitro-β-D-altrofuranose(8) as the chief epimer. Deacetonation of8 by trifluoroacetic acid9 in crystalline form.     

Determination of the position of linkage of 2-acetamido-2deoxy-D-galactose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose residues in oligosaccharides and glycoproteins. Synthesis of 2-acetamido-2deoxy-D-xylitol and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-L-threitol

A method has been studied for the determination of the position of the linkage of the 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose residues in oligosaccharides and glycoproteins that is based on the borohydride reduction of the reducing terminal residues to the corresponding alditol derivatives periodate oxidation, borohydride reduction, hydrolysis (eventually followed by borohydride reduction), separation of the fragments as per-O-(trimethylsilyl) or per-O-(trifluoroacetyl) derivatives, and identification of the fragments as derivatives of 2-acetamido-2-deoxyglycerol, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-L-threitol, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-L-arabinitol, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-xylitol, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactitol, and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucitol by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. New syntheses for the standard compounds 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-L-threitol and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-xylitol are described.     

Metabolism of 14C-labelled D-glucose, D-fructose and allitol by Itea plants

The metabolism of D-[1-¹⁴C]glucose, D-[6-¹⁴C]glucose, D-[1-¹⁴C]fructose and D-[6-¹⁴C]fructose by leafy spurs of Itea plants results in rapid incorporation of label into allitol and D-allulose. The patterns of labelling found in the allitol and D-allulose are discussed, a direct interconversion from D-glucose and D-fructose being indicated. Allitol has been found to be an active metabolite in Itea plants.     

Determination of l-galactose in polysaccharide material

A method is described for the identification and quantitative determination Of l-galactose in hydrolyzates of polysaccharide material. In this technique, all the d-galactose is oxidized to d-galactonic acid using the enzyme d-galactose dehydrogenase. Remaining sugars, including any l-galactose, are converted to their trimethylsilyl derivatives and estimated by GLC. l-Galactose was detected in polysaccharides of flax seed, corn cob and corn root, and in the cell wall of Acer pseudoplatanus suspension cultures. It is suggested that the sugar may be relatively widespread in plants.     

Sex difference in L-glutamine D-fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase activity of mouse submandibular gland

L-Glutamine D-fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase (2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose-6-phosphate ketol-isomerase (amino transferring), EC 5.3.1.19) activities in the three main salivary glands of male and female mice were measured. It was found that the activity in the submandibular gland was about 10 times more in females than in males, whereas the activities in the sublingual and parotid glands of males and females were similar. The activity in the submandibular gland of female mice was not affected appreciably by ovariectomy but it decreased to the level in males on injection of testosterone. The activity in males was not affected appreciably by injection of progesterone or 17β-estradiol, but it increased to the level in females after castration. The increased acitivity in castrated male mice was decreased again to the normal level by testosterone injection. Thus, this sex difference is caused by androgen, not by female hormones. On the basis of in vivo experiments using actinomycin D, it was suggested that testosterone produced an “enzyme inhibitor”, which suppressed the enzyme activity in the submandibular glands of androgen-rich animals.