Facile synthesis of the heptasaccharide repeating unit of O-deacetylated GXM of C. neoformans serotype B

A heptasaccharide, beta-D-Xylp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-[beta-D-Xylp-(1-->2)]-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-[beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->2)][beta-D-Xylp-(1-->4)]-alpha-D-Manp, the repeating unit of the exopolysaccharide from Cryptococcus neoformans serovar B, was synthesized as its methyl glycoside. Thus 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-3,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-d-mannopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (7) and allyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-4,6-di-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (8), readily obtained from the corresponding monosaccharide derivatives via simple transformation, were coupled to give a (1-->3)-linked tetrasaccharide 9. Deallylation of 9 followed by trichloroacetimidate formation produced the tetrasaccharide donor 11. Condensation of methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-d-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-2-O-acetyl-6-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (18) with 11 followed by selective deacetylation yielded hexasaccharide acceptor 20. Coupling of 20 with methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyluronate bromide (21) and subsequent deprotection furnished the target heptaoside. A hexasaccharide fragment, alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-[beta-D-Xylp-(1-->2)]-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-[beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->2)][beta-D-Xylp-(1-->4)]-alpha-D-Manp, was also similarly synthesized as its methyl glycoside.     

Efficient synthesis of a 3,6-branched mannose hepta- and octasaccharide

Alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->6)]-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->6)]-D-Manp and alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->6)]-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->6)]-D-Manp, were synthesized as their methyl glycosides in a regio- and stereoselective way.     

The structures of oligosaccharides excreted by sheep with swainsonine toxicosis

Eleven oligosaccharides were purified form the urine of sheep with swainsonine toxicosis induced by the feeding of Astragalus lentiginosus. Oligosaccharides were extracted by charcoal adsorption, chromatographed on Bio-Gel P-2, and partially fractionated by preparative-layer chromatography. Separation into individual compounds was completed by semi-preparative high pressure liquid chromatography. Structures were determined by a combination of high pressure liquid chromatography and exo- and endo- glycosidase action, methanolysis followed by gas-liquid chromatography, methylation analysis, and high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Two homologous series of oligosaccharides were identified: (a) alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)-beta-D-Manp-(1----4)-D-GlcpNAc, alpha-D-Manp(1----3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-beta-D-Manp+ ++-(1----4)-D-GlcpNAc, alpha-D-Manp-(1----2)-alpha-D-Manp(1----3)-[alpha-D-Manp+ ++-(1----6)]-beta-D-Manp-(1----4)-D-GlcpNAc, and alpha-D-Manp-(1----2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1----2)-alpha-D-Manp+ ++-(1----3)-[alpha- D-Manp-(1----6)]-beta-D-Manp-(1----4)-D-GlcpNAc (minor series); (b) alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)-beta-D-Manp-(1----4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc- (1----4)-D-GlcpNAc, alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-beta-D-Manp -(1----4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----4)-D-GlcpNAc, alpha-D-Manp(1----3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)-beta-D-Manp -(1----4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc- (1----4)-D-GlcpNAc, alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)-alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)-beta-D-Manp++ +-(1----4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc - (1----4)-D-GlcpNAc, alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)-[alpha-D-Manp -(1----3)]-beta-D- Manp-(1----4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----4)-D-GlcpNAc, alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-alpha-D-Man p-(1----6)-beta-D- Manp-(1----4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----4)-D-GlcpNAc, and alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-alpha-D-Man p-(1----6)- [alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)]-beta-D-Manp-(1----4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc- (1----4)-D- GlcpNAc (major series).     

Synthesis of a mannose nonasaccharide existing in the exopolysaccharide of Cryphonectria parasitica

alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->6)[alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)]-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->6)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)]-alpha-D-Manp, existing in the exopolysaccharide of Cryphonectria parasitica was synthesized as its allyl glycoside in a regio- and stereoselective manner.     

Synthesis of a hexasaccharide,the repeating unit of O-deacetylated GXM of C. neoformans serotype A

beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-[beta-D-Xylp-(1-->2)]-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)[-beta-D-Xylp-(1-->2)]-alpha-D-Manp, the repeating unit of the exopolysaccharide from Cryptococcus neoformans serovar A, was synthesized as its allyl glycoside. Thus, 3-O-selective acetylation of allyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-alpha-D-mannopyranoside afforded 2, and subsequent glycosylation of 2 with 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-D-xylopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate furnished the beta-(1-->2)-linked disaccharide 4. Debenzylidenation followed by benzoylation gave allyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-3-O-acetyl-4,6-di-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (5), and selective 3-O-deacetylation gave the disaccharide acceptor 6. Coupling of 6 with 2-O-acetyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate yielded the trisaccharide 8, and subsequent deallylation and trichloroacetimidation gave 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[2-O-acetyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-4,6-di-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (9). Condensation of the trisaccharide donor 9 with the disaccharide acceptor 6 gave the pentasaccharide 10 whose 2-O-deacetylation gave the acceptor 11. Glycosylation of 11 with methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyluronate trichloroacetimidate and subsequent deprotection gave the target hexasaccharide.     

Conformation analysis of modified tetrasaccharide sequences of the N-glycoprotein type--problem of the alpha-(1 to 6)-glycosidic bond

The conformational analysis of the recently synthesized tetrasaccharides alpha-D-Manp (1----3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-4-deoxy-beta-D-lyx-hexp+ ++-(1----4)-D-GlcNAc (2) and alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-beta-D-Talp -(1----4)-D-GlcNAc (3) will be described. The preferred solution conformation of 2 and 3 is a gt-conformation, which is nearly identical with the preferred conformation of the naturally occurring tetrasaccharide alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-beta-D-Manp -(1----4)-D-GlcNAc (1). The main structural feature is the backfolding of the alpha-(1----6)-linked D-Man to the reducing D-GlcNAc unit. Conformational analysis of the tetrasaccharides alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-beta-D-Manp -(1----4)-1,6- anhydro-beta-D-GlcNAc (4), alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-4-deoxy-beta-D- lyx-hexp-(1----4)- 1,6-anhydro-beta-D-GlcNAc (5), and alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-beta-D-Talp -(1----4)- 1,6-anhydro-beta-D-GlcNAc (6) gave additional proof for this backfolding. The substitution of the reducing unit leads to a smaller amount of gt- and a greater amount of gg-conformers. The method used for conformational analysis of 2-6 is a combination of n.m.r.-experiments and HSEA-calculations with the program GESA. Concerning the application of new 2D-techniques, the COLOC-experiment turned out to be extremely useful in sequencing oligosaccharides.     

Synthesis of mannose-containing analogues of (1-->6)-branched (1-->3)-glucohexaose (I)

alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1-->6)]-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1-->6)]-D-Glcp and alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-[beta-D-Glcp-(1-->6)]-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)[-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->6)]-D-Glcp were synthesized in a regio- and stereoselective way as the mannose-containing analogues of the immunomodulating beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-[beta-D-Glcp-(1-->6)]-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-[beta-D-Glcp-(1-->6)]-D-Glcp.     

Synthesis of two oligosaccharides, the GPI anchor glycans from S. cerevesiae and A. fumigatus

Two oligosaccharides, alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->6)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->4)-alpha-D-GlcpNAc (I) and alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->6)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->4)-alpha-D-GlcpNAc (II), the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor glycans from S. cerevesiae and A. fumigatus were synthesized as their methyl glycosides in a regio- and stereoselective manner. The pentasaccharide I was obtained from 6-O-selective glycosylation of methyl 2,3-di-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1-->4)-2-acetamido-3,6-di-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (8) with 2-O-acetyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1-->2)-3,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (9), followed by benzoylation, deacetylation, and mannosylation, and then by deprotection. The hexasaccharide (II) was obtained via condensation of allyl 3,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1-->2)-3,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (17) with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1-->3)-2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (16), followed by deallylation, trichloroacetimidation, and coupling with acceptor (8), and finally by deprotection.     

Conformational analysis of two xylose-containing N-glycans in aqueous solution by using 1H NMR ROESY and NOESY spectroscopy in combination with MD simulations

The conformational behavior of the synthetic hexa- and heptasaccharide methyl beta-glycosides alpha-D-Manp-(1 --> 6)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1 --> 3)-][beta-D-Xylp-(1 --> 2)-]beta-D-Manp-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1 --> OMe and alpha-D-Manp-(1 --> 6)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1 --> 3)-][beta-D-Xylp-(1 --> 2)-]beta-D-Manp-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1 --> 4)-[alpha-L-Fucp-(1 --> 6)-]beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1 --> OMe, representing the xylosylated and the xylosylated alpha-(1 --> 6)-fucosylated core structures of N-glycans in alpha(D)-hemocyanin of the snail Helix pomatia, respectively, were investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy in combination with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in water. 1H and 13C chemical shifts of the oligosaccharides were assigned using 1H-(1)H COSY, TOCSY, and NOESY, and 1H-(13)C HMQC techniques. Experimental 2D 1H cross-peak intensities from one series of NOESY and one series of ROESY experiments of the two oligosaccharides were compared with calculated values derived from MD trajectories using the CROSREL program, yielding information about the conformation of each glycosidic linkage of the methyl glycosides. The flexibility of the linkages was described by generalized order parameters and internal rotation correlation times. Analysis of the data indicated that several conformations are likely to exist for the alpha-D-Man-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-Man, the alpha-L-Fuc-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-GlcNAc, and the alpha-D-Man-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-Man linkage, whereas the beta-D-Xyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-Man-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-GlcNAc-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-GlcNAc fragment occurs in one rigid conformation. No significant differences were found between the corresponding structural elements in both methyl glycosides. NOESY and ROESY experiments proved to be suitable for providing the experimental data required, however, due to more overlap within the ROESY spectra, reducing the accuracy of the analysis, NOESY spectral analysis is preferred.     

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

beta-D-Xylp-(1-->4)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-[beta-D-Xylp-(1-->2)]-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-[beta-D-Xylp-(1-->2)]-alpha-D-Manp, the fragment of the exopolysaccharide from Cryptococcus neoformans serovar B, was synthesized as its methyl glycoside. Thus, acetylation of allyl 3-O-benzoyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (1) followed by debenzylidenation and selective 6-O-benzoylation afforded allyl 2-O-acetyl-3,6-di-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. Deallylation followed by trichloroacetimidate formation gave the disaccharide donor 8, and subsequent coupling with allyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-4,6-di-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (9), produced the tetrasaccharide 10. Reiteration of deallylation and trichloroacetimidate formation from 10 yielded the tetrasaccharide donor 12. The downstream disaccharide acceptor 18 was obtained by condensation of 5 with methyl 3-O-acetyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-alpha-D-mannopyranoside, followed by debenzylidenation, benzoylation, and selective 3-O-deacetylation. Coupling of 18 with 12 afforded the hexasaccharide 19, and subsequent deprotection gave the hexasaccharide glycoside 20. Selective 2"-O-deacetylation of 19 gave the hexasaccharide acceptor 21. Condensation of 21 with glucopyranosyluronate imidate 22 did not produce the expected heptasaccharide glycoside; instead, a transacetylation product 19 was obtained. Meanwhile, there was no reaction between 21 and the bromide donor 23.     

Synthesis of alpha-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-Manp-(1-->3)-alpha-Manp-(1-->3)-Manp, the tetrasaccharide repeating unit of Escherichia coli O9a, and alpha-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-Manp-(1-->3)-alpha-Manp-(1-->3)-Manp, the pentasaccharide repeating unit of E. coli O9 and Klebsiella O3

The tetrasaccharide repeating unit of Escherichia coli O9a, alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-D-Manp, and the pentasaccharide repeating unit of E. coli O9 and Klebsiella O3, alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-D-Manp, were synthesized as their methyl glycosides. Thus, selective 3-O-allylation of p-methoxyphenyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside via a dibutyltin intermediate gave p-methoxyphenyl 3-O-allyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (2) in good yield. Benzoylation (-->3), then removal of 1-O-methoxyphenyl (right arrow4), and subsequent trichloroacetimidation afforded the 3-O-allyl-2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (5). Condensation of 5 with methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (6) selectively afforded the (1-->3)-linked disaccharide 7. Benzoylation of 7, debenzylidenation, benzoylation, and deallylation gave methyl 2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1-->3)-2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (11) as the disaccharide acceptor. Coupling of 11 with (1-->2)-linked mannose disaccharide donor 17 or trisaccharide donor 21, followed by deacylation, furnished the target tetrasaccharide and pentasaccharide, respectively.     

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.     

Synthesis of four structural elements of xylose-containing carbohydrate chains from N-glycoproteins

The synthesis of the oligosaccharides beta-D-Xylp-(1----2)-beta-D-Manp-OMe (12), beta-D-Xylp-(1----2)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-beta-D-Manp+ ++-OMe (17), beta-D-Xylp-(1----2)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)]-beta-D-Manp+ ++-OMe (21), and beta-D-Xylp-(1----2)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)] [alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-beta-D-Manp-OMe (25) is described. Methyl 3-O-benzyl-4,6-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-mannopyranoside (6) was prepared from the corresponding glucoepimer (4) by oxidation, followed by stereoselective reduction. Condensation of 6 with 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-xylopyranosyl bromide in the presence of mercuric cyanide gave a 1:9 mixture of methyl 3-O-benzyl-4,6-O-isopropylidene-2-O-(2,3,4- tri-O-acetyl-alpha- (7a) and -beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-beta-D-mannopyranoside (7), and then 7 was converted into the acetylated disaccharide-glycoside 11. Regioselective mannosylation, with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl bromide, at position 6 of deisopropylidenated 7 (8), using mercuric bromide as a promoter, afforded the trisaccharide-glycoside derivative 13, which was transformed into the acetylated trisaccharide-glycoside 16. The disaccharide derivative 10, obtained from 8, and the trisaccharide derivative 15, obtained from 13, were glycosylated at position 3 with O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)trichloroacetimidate (19), using trimethylsilyl triflate as a promoter, giving rise to acetylated tri- (20) and tetra-saccharide (24) derivatives, respectively. O-Deacetylation of 11, 16, 20, and 24 gave 12, 17, 21, and 25, respectively.     

An unusual glucomannan from Tornabenia intricata.

Mannose-containing polysaccharides of 18 lichen species were prepared via successive alkaline extraction, precipitation with Fehling solution and fractional precipitation with Cetavlon. Products from Fehling and Cetavlon precipitation, the latter at pH 8.5 in the presence of borax, were structurally similar, except with those of Usnea sp., U. meridionalis, Parmotrema araucaria and Evernia prunastri, which were mixtures and initially provided precipitates at pH 7 due to the presence of carboxyl groups. With one exception, glucosyl units were detected in all preparations, but possibly arose from glucan contaminants of the galactomannans. Tornabenia intricata, however, did not contain galactose, and a glucomannan was isolated. It consisted of two components with M(r)s of ca 0.85 x 10(5) and ca 1.1 x 10(5) and whose 13C NMR spectra were identical. The overall preparation contained a (1-->6)-linked alpha-D-Manp main-chain substituted at 0-2 mainly with side chains of alpha-D-Manp with smaller amounts of alpha-D-Glcp, alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->2)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1-->4)]-alpha-D-Manp, and possibly alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1-->4)]-alpha-D-Manp+ ++.     

A practical synthesis of alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-[alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)]-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp, an O-specific heterohexasaccharide fragment of Citrobacter braakii O7a, 3b, 1c

An O-specific heterohexasaccharide fragment of Citrobacter braakii O7a, 3b, 1c, alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-[alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)]-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp was synthesized as its methyl glycoside. Acetylation of allyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-alpha-D-mannopyranoside, followed by debenzylidenization and benzoylation gave allyl 2,3-di-O-acetyl-4,6-di-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (3), and subsequent deacetylation of 3 with CH(3)COCl-MeOH gave the monosaccharide acceptor 4. Condensation of isopropyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6) with 4 selectively afforded the alpha-(1-->3)-linked disaccharide 7. Condensation of 7 with the (1-->3)-linked disaccharide donor 9, followed by deallylation and trichloroacetimidation, afforded the tetrasaccharide donor 12. Coupling of 12 with disaccharide acceptor 13, followed by debenzylation and deacylation, furnished the target heterohexasaccharide 16.     

Synthesis of the 'primer-adaptor' trisaccharide moiety of Escherichia coli O8, O9, and O9a lipopolysaccharide

Described is the synthesis of the trisaccharide alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-beta-D-GlcpNAcO(CH2)8N3, the glycan portion of which corresponds to the 'adaptor-primer' moiety linking the O-chain and core oligosaccharide in the lipopolysaccharide of several Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae serotypes. This report represents the first synthesis of this trisaccharide motif, and in the route involved, a key step is a [2+1] coupling of a protected Manp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Manp glycosyl donor with a GlcpNAc acceptor. The azido group was included in the target to facilitate future preparation of neoglycoconjugates.     

Lipoarabinomannan of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Capping with mannosyl residues in some strains.

Previously we had demonstrated that the termini of the arabinan component of mycobacterial cell wall arabinogalactan, the site of mycolic acid location, consists mostly of clusters of a pentaarabinofuranoside, [beta-D-Araf-(1----2)-alpha-D-Araf-(1----]2----(3 and 5)-alpha-D-Araf. Subsequently, the same arrangement was shown to dominate the non-reducing ends of lipoarabinomannan (LAM), a key component in the interaction of mycobacteria with host cell. Accordingly, we had proposed that mycobacteria universally elaborate the same Araf-containing motifs in two settings for different pathophysiological purposes. However, we now report that the termini of LAM from the virulent, Erdman, strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, unlike those from the attenuated H37Ra strain, are extensively capped with mannosyl (Manp) residues, either a single alpha-D-Manp, a dimannoside (alpha-D-Manp-(1----2)-alpha-D-Manp), or a trimannoside (alpha-D-Manp-(1----2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1----2)-alpha-D-Manp ). The use of monoclonal antibodies demonstrates a clear difference in the antigenicity of the basic and mannose-capped LAM. The possibility that these structures are a factor in the virulence of some strains of M. tuberculosis and represent an example of carbohydrate mimicry in mycobacterial infections is discussed.     

Synthesis of phosphorylated trimannosides corresponding to end groups of the high-mannose chains of lysosomal enzymes

Glycosylation of suitably protected 8-methoxycarbonyloctyl alpha-D-manno-pyranosides with 2-O-acetyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl chloride provided alpha-D-Manp-(1----2)-alpha-D-Man, alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-alpha-D-Man and alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)-alpha-D-Man derivatives from which the 2'-hydroxyl group was liberated by O-deacetylation. Addition of the terminal D-mannose 6-phosphate residues was achieved by reaction with the readily accessible 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-6-O-diphenoxyphosphoryl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl bromide under standard glycosylation conditions. Conventional deprotection provided the terminal 6"-phosphate of alpha-D-Manp-(1----2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1----2)-alpha-D-Man, alpha-D-Manp-(1----2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-alpha-D-Man, and alpha-D-Manp-(1----2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)-alpha-D-Man which are present as end groups on the high-mannose oligosaccharide chains of lysosomal enzymes.     

Efficient synthesis of a heptasaccharide,the repeating unit of the O-chain lipopolysaccharide produced by Xanthomonas campestris strain 642

alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->3)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->2)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->3)-[beta-D-Xylp-(1-->2)-][beta-D-Xylp-(1-->4)-]alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->3)-alpha-L-Rhap, the repeating unit of the O-chain lipopolysaccharide produced by Xanthomonas campestris strain 642 was synthesized as its methyl glycoside via 3-O-selective glycosylation of methyl alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-2,4-di-O-benzoyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (9) with 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-2,4-di-O-benzoyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-3,4-di-O-benzoyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (8), followed by dixylosylation with 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha,beta-D-xylopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (12) and subsequent deacylation.     

Structural determination of D-mannans of pathogenic yeasts Candida stellatoidea type I strains: TIMM 0310 and ATCC 11006 compared to IFO 1397

The structures of the cell-wall D-mannans of pathogenic yeasts of Candida stellatoidea Type I strains, IFO 1397, TIMM 0310, and ATCC 11006, were investigated by mild acid and, alkaline hydrolysis, by digestion with the Arthrobacter GJM-1 strain exo-alpha-D-mannosidase, and by acetolysis. The modified D-mannans and their degradation products were studied by 1H- and 13C-n.m.r. analyses. D-Manno-oligosaccharides released by acid treatment from the parent D-mannans were identified as the homologous beta-(1----2)-linked D-manno-oligosaccharides from biose to hexaose, whereas those obtained by alkaline degradation were the homologous alpha-(1----2)-linked D-mannobiose and D-mannotriose. The acid- and alkali-modified D-mannans lacking 1H-n.m.r. signals above 4.900 p.p.m. [corresponding to beta-(1----2)-linked D-mannopyranose units] were acetolyzed with 10:10:1 (v/v) Ac2O-AcOH-H2SO4, and the resultant D-manno-oligosaccharides were also analyzed. It was found that the longest branches of these D-mannans, corresponding to hexaosyl residues, had the following structures: alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1----2)-alpha-D-Manp+ ++-(1----2)-alpha-D-Manp- (1----2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1----2)-D-Man and alpha-D-Manp-(1----2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-alpha-D-Manp+ ++-(1----2)-alpha-D-Manp- (1----2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1----2)-D-Man. These results indicate that the D-mannans of C. stellatoidea Type I strains possess structures in common with the D-mannans of Candida albicans serotype B strain (see ref. 4) containing phosphate-bound beta-(1----2)-linked oligo-D-mannosyl residues.