Synthesis of galactofuranosyl-containing oligosaccharides corresponding to the glycosylinositolphospholipid of Trypanosoma cruzi

The oligosaccharide beta-D-Galf-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-[beta-D-Galf- (1-->3)]-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp corresponds to the terminal end of the glycosylinositolphospholipid oligosaccharide of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease. Syntheses of methyl or ethylthio glycosides of the terminal disaccharide, trisaccharide, tetrasaccharide, and pentasaccharide corresponding to this structure are described. These syntheses employ the selective activation of a phenyl 1-selenogalactofuranoside or a phenyl 1-selenomannopyranoside donor over ethyl 1-thioglycoside acceptors with NIS-TfOH.     

Synthesis of the four 1-(1-deoxy-D-pentitol-1-yl)thymines and conformational properties of the acyclic sugar chain

Acetylated D-pentose diethyl dithioacetals were coupled by way of 1-bromo-1-ethylthio derivatives with 2,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)thymine to afford diastereomeric pairs of acyclic-sugar nucleoside analogues bearing a thymin-1-yl and an ethylthio group at C-1. Free-radical desulfurization by the action of tributylstannane removed the ethylthio group to afford the corresponding acetylated 1-(1-deoxy-d-pentitol-1-yl)thymines and subsequently the free title compounds in the arabino, lyxo, ribo, and xylo series. Conformations of the intermediates and products were studied in detail and the final products were evaluated for their potential as agents active against plant viruses and rice blast fungus.     

Characterization of a heparan sulfate and a peculiar chondroitin 4-sulfate proteoglycan from platelets. Inhibition of the aggregation process by platelet chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan

A high molecular weight chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (Mr 240,000) is released from platelet surface during aggregation induced by several pharmacological agents. Some details on the structure of this compound are reported. beta-Elimination with alkali and borohydride produces chondroitin sulfate chains with a molecular weight of 40,000. The combined results indicate a proteoglycan molecule containing 5-6 chondroitin sulfate chains and a protein core rich in serine and glycine residues. Degradation with chondroitinase AC shows that a 4-sulfated disaccharide is the only disaccharide released from this chondroitin sulfate, characterizing it as a chondroitin 4-sulfate homopolymer. It is shown that this proteoglycan inhibits the aggregation of platelets induced by ADP. Analysis of the sulfated glycosaminoglycans not released during aggregation revealed the presence of a heparan sulfate in the platelets. Degradation by heparitinases I and II yielded the four disaccharide units of heparan sulfates: N,O-disulfated disaccharide, N-sulfated disaccharide, N-acetylated 6-sulfated disaccharide, and N-acetylated disaccharide. The possible role of the sulfated glycosaminoglycans on cell-cell interaction is discussed in view of the present findings.     

Characterization of a neutrophil cell surface glycosaminoglycan that mediates binding of platelet factor 4

Platelet factor 4 (PF-4) is a platelet-derived alpha-chemokine that binds to and activates human neutrophils to undergo specific functions like exocytosis or adhesion. PF-4 binding has been shown to be independent of interleukin-8 receptors and could be inhibited by soluble chondroitin sulfate type glycosaminoglycans or by pretreatment of cells with chondroitinase ABC. Here we present evidence that surface-expressed neutrophil glycosaminoglycans are of chondroitin sulfate type and that this species binds to the tetrameric form of PF-4. The glycosaminoglycans consist of a single type of chain with an average molecular mass of approximately 23 kDa and are composed of approximately 85-90% chondroitin 4-sulfate disaccharide units type CSA (-->4GlcAbeta1-->3GalNAc(4-O-sulfate)beta1-->) and of approximately 10-15% di-O-sulfated disaccharide units. A major part of these di-O-sulfated disaccharide units are CSE units (-->4GlcAbeta1-->3GalNAc(4,6-O-sulfate)beta1-->). Binding studies revealed that the interaction of chondroitin sulfate with PF-4 required at least 20 monosaccharide units for significant binding. The di-O-sulfated disaccharide units in neutrophil glycosaminoglycans clearly promoted the affinity to PF-4, which showed a Kd approximately 0.8 microM, as the affinities of bovine cartilage chondroitin sulfate A, porcine skin dermatan sulfate, or bovine cartilage chondroitin sulfate C, all consisting exclusively of monosulfated disaccharide units, were found to be 3-5-fold lower. Taken together, our data indicate that chondroitin sulfate chains function as physiologically relevant binding sites for PF-4 on neutrophils and that the affinity of these chains for PF-4 is controlled by their degree of sulfation.     

Furcatin hydrolase from Viburnum furcatum Blume is a novel disaccharide-specific acuminosidase in glycosyl hydrolase family 1

Furcatin hydrolase (FH) is a unique disaccharide-specific acuminosidase, which hydrolyzes furcatin (p-allylphenyl 6-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (acuminoside)) into p-allylphenol and the disaccharide acuminose. We have isolated a cDNA coding for FH from Viburnum furcatum leaves. The open reading frame in the cDNA encoded a 538-amino acid polypeptide including a putative chloroplast transit peptide. The deduced protein showed 64% identity with tea leaf beta-primeverosidase, which is another disaccharide glycosidase specific to beta-primeverosides (6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosides). The deduced FH also shared greater than 50% identity with various plant beta-glucosidases in glycosyl hydrolase family 1. The recombinant FH expressed in Escherichia coli exhibited the highest level of activity toward furcatin with a Km value of 2.2 mm and specifically hydrolyzed the beta-glycosidic bond between p-allylphenol and acuminose, confirming FH as a disaccharide glycosidase. The FH also hydrolyzed beta-primeverosides and beta-vicianoside (6-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside) but poorly hydrolyzed beta-gentiobiosides (6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-beta-d-glucopyranosides), indicating high substrate specificity for the disaccharide glycone moiety. The FH exhibited activity toward p-allylphenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside containing the same aglycone as furcatin but little activity toward the other beta-D-glucopyranosides. Stereochemical analysis using 1H NMR spectroscopy revealed that FH is a retaining glycosidase. The subcellular localization of FH was analyzed using green fluorescent protein fused with the putative N-terminal signal peptide, indicating that FH is localized to the chloroplast. Phylogenetic analysis of plant beta-glucosidases revealed that FH clusters with beta-primeverosidase, and this suggests that the disaccharide glycosidases will form a new subfamily in glycosyl hydrolase family 1.     

Mechanism of expression of Thomsen-Friedenreich (T) antigen at the cell surface of a mammary adenocarcinoma

The Thomsen-Friedenreich (T) antigen and its disaccharide component Gal beta 1,3GalNAc, which is recognized by the plant lectin peanut agglutinin (PNA), have been proposed as useful tumor markers because of their apparently specific occurrence in certain types of carcinomas. We have investigated the mechanism for the appearance of the disaccharide at the cell surface of ascites 13762 rat mammary adenocarcinoma cells using pulse-chase glucosamine labeling, proteolysis, and PNA precipitation of the cell-surface sialomucin ASGP-1. Glucosamine-labeled disaccharide appears at the cell surface in less than 10 min. Although the appearance of larger oligosaccharides continues to increase, the appearance of labeled disaccharide levels off within an hour. Analysis of intracellular vs. cell surface-labeled oligosaccharides showed that all disaccharide synthesized more than an hour before reaching the cell surface is converted to larger oligosaccharides. Thus, the presence of the disaccharide at the cell surface results from its synthesis late in the transit pathway of the sialomucin to the cell surface. We propose that the presence of T antigen at the surface of carcinoma cells results from an aberration of the pathway for O-linked glycosylation in these cells, probably caused by inappropriate localization of the enzymes involved in synthesis of the disaccharide.     

Synthesis of a disaccharide fragment of rhamnogalacturonan II

A disaccharide portion of the A-side chain of the rhamnogalacturonan II oligosaccharide has been prepared. Glycosylation of methyl (methyl 3,4-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-galactopyranosid)uronate with p-tolyl 2,3-di-O-acetyl-3-C-(benzyloxymethyl)-1-thio-alpha/beta-D-erythrofuranoside was carried out using N-iodosuccinimide as promoter and silver trifluoromethanesulfonate as catalyst. Removal of the protecting groups gave the beta-d-Apif-(1-->2)-alpha-D-GalpA-OMe disaccharide.     

Solution structure of a cyanovirin-N:Man alpha 1-2Man alpha complex: structural basis for high-affinity carbohydrate-mediated binding to gp120

BACKGROUND: Cyanovirin-N (CVN) is a novel, 11 kDa cyanobacterial protein that potently inhibits viral entry by diverse strains of HIV through high-affinity carbohydrate-mediated interactions with the viral envelope glycoprotein gp120. CVN contains two symmetry-related carbohydrate binding sites of differing affinities that selectively bind to Man(8) D1D3 and Man(9) with nanomolar affinities, the carbohydrates that also mediate CVN:gp120 binding. High-resolution structural studies of CVN in complex with a representative oligosaccharide are desirable for understanding the structural basis for this unprecedented specificity. RESULTS: We have determined by multidimensional heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy the three-dimensional solution structure of CVN in complex with two equivalents of the disaccharide Manalpha1-2Manalpha, a high-affinity ligand which represents the terminal-accessible disaccharide present in Man(8) D1D3 and Man(9). The structure reveals that the bound disaccharide adopts the stacked conformation, thereby explaining the selectivity for Man(8) D1D3 and Man(9) over other oligomannose structures, and presents two novel carbohydrate binding sites that account for the differing affinities of the two sites. The high-affinity site comprises a deep pocket that nearly envelops the disaccharide, while the lower-affinity site comprises a semicircular cleft that partially surrounds the disaccharide. The approximately 40 A spacing of the two binding sites provides a simple model for CVN:gp120 binding. CONCLUSIONS: The CVN:Manalpha1-2Manalpha complex provides the first high-resolution structure of a mannose-specific protein-carbohydrate complex with nanomolar affinity and presents a new carbohydrate binding motif, as well as a new class of carbohydrate binding protein, that facilitates divalent binding via a monomeric protein.     

Investigation of glycosylating properties of 1-deoxy-1-ethoxysulfonyl-hept-2-ulopyranosyl derivatives. Synthesis of a new sulfonic acid mimetic of the sialyl Lewis X tetrasaccharide

Glycosylation reactions of the ethylthio, bromo and chloro derivatives of 1-deoxy-1-ethoxysulfonyl-hept-2-ulopyranose were studied applying different acceptors under different conditions. Elimination side-reactions affording exo- and endoglycals occured in all cases, however, with different proportions. Glycosyl chloride donor was applied to glycosylate a trisaccharide acceptor obtaining a new sulfonic acid mimetic of the sialyl Lewis X tetrasaccharide in high yield.     

An efficient and concise synthesis of a beta-(1-->6)-linked D-galactofuranosyl hexasaccharide

A beta-(1-->6)-linked D-galactofuranosyl hexasaccharide was synthesized efficiently in a block construction manner by the well-known Schmidt glycosylation method using 6-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactofuranosyl trichloroacetimidate (1) and allyl 2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactofuranoside (3) as the key synthons. Coupling of 3 with 1 gave beta-(1-->6)-linked disaccharide 4. Subsequent selective deacetylation of 4 afforded the disaccharide acceptor 5, while deallylation of 4 followed by trichloroacetimidate formation produced the disaccharide donor 6. Condensation of 5 with 6 gave the tetrasaccharide 7, and subsequent deacetylation afforded the tetrasaccharide acceptor 8. Finally, coupling of 8 with 6 followed by deacylation yielded the target beta-(1-->6)-linked galactofuranose hexasaccharide 10. All of the reactions in the synthesis were carried out smoothly and in high yield.     

Synthesis of the tetrasaccharide residue of clarhamnoside, a novel glycosphingolipid isolated from the marine sponge Agelas clathrodes

A tetrasaccharide, alpha-l-Rhap-(1-->3)-beta-d-GalpNAc-(1-->6)-alpha-d-Galp-(1-->2)-alpha-d-Galp, the carbohydrate moiety of clarhamnoside isolated from the marine sponge Agelas clathrodes, was synthesized as its propyl glycoside via a convergent approach. The key steps to the synthetic strategy were the stereoselective construction of the reducing-end disaccharide alpha-d-Galp-(1-->2)-d-Galp (5) and efficient coupling with the terminal disaccharide alpha-l-Rhap-(1-->3)-d-GalpNAc building block, in which the N-phthalimido-protected trifluoroacetimidate 13 was proved to be an effective donor.     

Solution conformation of a pectin fragment disaccharide using molecular modelling and nuclear magnetic resonance

In the present study, the conformational behaviour of methylated pectic disaccharide 4-O-alpha-D-galactopyranurosyl 1-O-methyl-alpha-D-galactopyranuronic 6,6'-dimethyl diester 1 has been completely characterized through combined n.m.r. and molecular modelling studies. The 1H-1H n.O.e. across the glycosidic bond was measured by both steady-state and transient 1D and 2D experiments. In parallel, the complete conformational analysis of the disaccharide has been achieved with the MM3 molecular mechanics method. The conformation of the pyranose ring is confirmed by the excellent agreement between the experimental and calculated intracyclic scalar coupling constants. The iso-energy contours displayed on the 'relaxed' map indicate an important flexibility about the glycosidic linkage. There is no significant influence of the methoxyl group on the conformational behaviour of the disaccharide. The theoretical n.m.r. data were calculated taking into account all the accessible conformations and using the averaging methods appropriate for slow internal motions. 3JC-H coupling constants were calculated using an equation suitable for C-O-C-H segments. The agreement between experimental and theoretical data is excellent. Within the potential energy surface calculated for the disaccharide, several conformers can be identified. When these conformations are extrapolated to a regular polymer structure, they generate pectins with right- and left-handed chirality along with a two-fold helix. These different types of helical structure are the result of small changes in conformation, without any drastic variation of the fibre repeat.     

Enzymatic syntheses of T antigen-containing glycolipid mimicry using the transglycosylation activity of endo-alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase

Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (T antigen) disaccharide, beta-D-galactose-(1-->3)-alpha-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (beta-D-Gal-(1-->3)-alpha-D-GalNAc), containing glycolipid mimicry was synthesized using the transglycosylation activity of endo-alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase from Bacillus sp. This enzyme could transfer the disaccharide from a p-nitrophenyl substrate to water-soluble 1-alkanols and other alcohols at a transfer ratio of 70% or more. Although the transfer ratios were lower for water-insoluble than water-soluble alcohols, they were shown to increase by adding sodium cholate to the reaction mixtures. The enzyme also transferred the disaccharide directly from asialofetuin to 1-alkanols. The anomeric bond between the disaccharide and 1-alkanols of the transglycosylation product is in the alpha configuration as determined by sequential digestion of jack bean beta-galactosidase and Acremonium alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase. Since the transglycosylation product, beta-D-Gal-(1-->3)-alpha-D-GalNAc-(1-->O)-hexyl, efficiently inhibits the binding of anti-T antigen monoclonal antibody to asialofetuin, it has potential as an agent for blocking T antigen-mediated cancer metastasis.     

Age-dependent constitution of chondroitin sulfate isomers in cartilage proteoglycans under associative conditions.

Associated proteoglycans were prepared with guanidine-HCl from bovine articular cartilage of various ages. They were purified and fractionated by equilibrium centrifugation in cesium chloride (CsCl) density gradients. The compositions of chondroitin sulfate (CS) isomers in associated proteoglycans of articular cartilages of three ages were compared based on the relative amounts of disaccharide units. The results indicated that the proportions of 4-sulfated disaccharide units comprised around 2/3, 1/3, and 1/6 of the total CS in the associated proteoglycans of calf, 18-month-old cow, and 8-year-old cow, respectively. In contrast, the proportions of 6-sulfated disaccharide units in the proteoglycans were in the reverse order; they comprised nearly 1/3, 1/2, and 2/3 of the total CS, respectively, at the three ages. Thus, with increasing age, the ratio of 4-sulfated disaccharide units to 6-sulfated disaccharide units decreased significantly. With the decrease of CsCl density in the gradients, the proportion of 4-sulfated disaccharide units to total CS as well as that of 4-sulfated disaccharide units to 6-sulfated disaccharide units increased in the associated proteoglycans of all ages. The increased ratios of 4-sulfated to 6-sulfated disaccharide units with decreasing CsCl density were significant among the individual proteoglycans: 1.84-2.36 in calf, 0.40-0.89 in 18-month-old cow, and 0.16-0.28 in 8-year-old cow.     

Synthesis of a heparan sulfate mimetic disaccharide with a conformationally locked residue from a common intermediate

A simple mimetic of a heparan sulfate disaccharide sequence that binds to the growth factors FGF-1 and FGF-2 was synthesized by coupling a 2-azido-2-deoxy-d-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate donor with a 1,6-anhydro-2-azido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranose acceptor. Both the donor and acceptor were obtained from a common intermediate readily obtained from d-glucal. Molecular docking calculations showed that the predicted locations of the disaccharide sulfo groups in the binding site of FGF-1 and FGF-2 are similar to the positions observed for co-crystallized heparin-derived oligosaccharides obtained from published crystal structures.     

Characterization of a novel lipid A structure isolated from Azospirillum lipoferum lipopolysaccharide

The structure of lipid A from Azospirillum lipoferum, a plant-growth-promoting rhizobacterium, was investigated. It was determined by chemical analysis, mass spectrometric methods, as well as 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Because of the presence of substituents, the investigated lipid A differs from typical enterobacterial lipid A molecules. Its backbone is composed of a beta-(1,6)-linked D-glucosamine disaccharide but lacks phosphate residues. Moreover, the reducing end of the backbone (position C-1) is substituted with alpha-linked d-galacturonic acid. 3-hydroxypalmitoyl residues are exclusively connected to amino groups of the glucosamine disaccharide. Hydroxyls at positions C-3 and C-3' are esterified with 3-hydroxymyristic acids. Primary polar fatty acids are partially substituted by nonpolar fatty acids (namely, 18:0, 18:1 or 16:0), forming acyloxyacyl moieties.     

A practical synthesis of beta-D-GlcA-(1-->3)-beta-D-Gal-(1-->3)-beta-D-Gal-(1-->4)-D-Xyl,a part of the common linkage region of a glycosaminoglycan

A practical synthesis of beta-D-GlcA-(1-->3)-beta-D-Gal-(1-->3)-beta-D-Gal-(1-->4)-beta-D-Xyl-(1-->OMe) was achieved by coupling of methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyluronate trichloroacetimidate with a trisaccharide acceptor. The trisaccharide acceptor was obtained by condensation of 3-O-allyl-2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->3)-2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate with methyl 2,3-di-O-benzoyl-beta-D-xylopyranoside, followed by deallylation. The beta-(1-->3)-linked disaccharide was prepared readily with p-methoxyphenyl 3-O-allyl-2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside as the key synthon. The alpha-(1-->3)-linkage was formed in considerable amount with galactose mono- and disaccharide trichloroacetimidate donors with C-2 neighboring group participation.     

Characterization of a low-sulfated chondroitin sulfate from the body of Viviparus ater (mollusca gastropoda). Modification of its structure by lead pollution

A chondroitin sulfate was purified from the body of Viviparus ater (Mollusca gastropoda) and analyzed for molecular mass, constituent disaccharides, and structure by 1H NMR and 1H 2D NMR. A quite unique glycosaminoglycan species was isolated having a high molecular mass (greater than 45,000) and low charge density, about 0.60, due to the presence of 42% non-sulfated disaccharide, 5% 6-sulfated disaccharide, 48% 4-sulfated disaccharide, and 5% 4,6-disulfated disaccharide. Specimens of Mollusca were also submitted to lead exposure for different times, and the effect on chondroitin sulfate structure was studied. After 96 h treatment a strong decrease in chondroitin sulfate content was observed with a significant modification of its structure producing a more desulfated polymer, in particular in position 4 of the galactosamine unit. Simultaneously, the amount of unsaturated non-sulfated disaccharide increased with an overall decrease of the charge density.     

An efficient and practical synthesis of beta-(1 --> 3)-linked xylooligosaccharides

A facile and practical method was developed for the synthesis of beta-(1 --> 3)-linked xylooligosaccharides. Dibezoylation of allyl alpha-D-xylopyranoside (1) afforded 2,4-dibenzoate 6 as the major product. Chloroacetylation of 6, followed by deallylation and trichloroacetimidation, gave a 1:3 alpha/beta imidate (10 and 11) mixture. Coupling of the imidate mixture with 6 gave a disaccharide 13, whose dechloroacetylation afforded the disaccharide acceptor 16. Condensation of perbenzoylated xylosyl alpha/beta imidate (7 and 8) mixture with 6 gave the disaccharide 12. Deallylation of 12, followed by trichloroacetimidation, furnished the disaccharide donor as a 1:1 alpha/beta mixture. Coupling of the disaccharide donor mixture with the disaccharide acceptor 16 yielded the tetrasaccharide 17. Reiteration of deallylation and trichloroacetimidation transformed 17 to the tetrasaccharide donor mixture. Condensation of the tetrasaccharide donor mixture with the acceptor 16 gave the hexasaccharide 21. Debenzoylation with saturated ammonia-methanol afforded beta-(1 --> 3)-linked allyl xylotetraoside and xylohexaoside.     

Synthesis of a heptasaccharide fragment of the O-deacetylated GXM of C. neoformans serotype C

Beta-D-Xylp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-[beta-D-Xylp-(1-->2)][beta-D-Xylp-(1-->4)]-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-[beta-D-Xylp-(1-->4)]-alpha-D-Manp, the fragment of the exopolysaccharide from Cryptococcus neoformans serovar C, was synthesized as its methyl glycoside. Thus, chloroacetylation of allyl 3-O-acetyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (1) followed by debenzylidenation and selective 6-O-benzoylation afforded allyl 2-O-chloroacetyl-3-O-acetyl-6-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (4). Glycosylation of 4 with 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-D-xylopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (5) furnished the beta-(1-->4)-linked disaccharide 6. Dechloroacetylation gave the disaccharide acceptor 7 and subsequent coupling with 5 produced the trisaccharide 8. Deacetylation of 8 gave the trisaccharide acceptor 9 and subsequent coupling with a disaccharide 10 produced the pentasaccharide 11. Reiteration of deallylation and trichloroacetimidate formation from 11 yielded the pentasaccharide donor 12. Coupling of a disaccharide acceptor 13 with 12 afforded the heptasaccharide 14. Subsequent deprotection gave the heptaoside 16, while selective 2-O-deacetylation of 14 gave the heptasaccharide acceptor 15. Condensation of 15 with glucopyranosyluronate imidate 17 did not yield the expected octaoside, instead, an orthoester product 18 was obtained. Rearrangement of 18 did not give the target octaoside; but produced 15. Meanwhile, there was no reaction between 15 and the glycosyl bromide donor 19.