[Synthesis of modified tetrasaccharide sequences of N-glycoproteins]

The tetrasaccharides O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----3)-O-[alpha-D- mannopyranosyl-(1----6)]-O-(4-deoxy-beta-D-lyxo-hexopyranosyl)-(1- ---4)-2- acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha, beta-D-glycopyranose (22) and O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----3)-O-[alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----6)]-O- beta-D-talopyranosyl-(1----4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha, beta-D- glucopyranose (37), closely related to the tetrasaccharide core structure of N-glycoproteins, were synthesized. Starting with 1,6-anhydro-2,3-di-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-mannopyranose, the glycosyl donors 3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-O-benzyl-2,4-dideoxy-alpha-D-lyxo- hexopyranosyl bromide (10) and 3,6-di-O-acetyl-2,4-di-O-benzyl-alpha-D-talopyranosyl bromide (30), were obtained in good yield. Coupling of 10 or 30 with 1,6-anhydro-2-azido-3-O-benzyl-beta-D-glucopyranose to give, respectively, the disaccharides 1,6-anhydro-2-azido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-4-O-(3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-O-benzyl-4 -deoxy- beta-D-lyxo-hexopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranose and 1,6-anhydro-2-azido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-4-O-(3,6-di-O-acetyl-2,4-di-O-ben zyl- beta-D-talopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranose was achieved with good selectivity by catalysis with silver silicate. Simultaneous glycosylation of OH-3' and OH-6' of the respective disaccharides with 2-O-acetyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl chloride yielded tetrasaccharide derivatives, which were deblocked into the desired tetrasaccharides 22 and 37.

[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.

In vitro homing of hemopoietic stem cells is mediated by a recognition system with galactosyl and mannosyl specificities

We synthesized a number of neoglycoprotein probes by covalently linking three biologically relevant sugars (mannose, galactose, and fucose) to a protein molecule so as to retain the pyranose (ring) form of sugars necessary for their interaction with lectins. In the presence of galactosyl and mannosyl but not fucosyl probes, the production of CFU-S [colony-forming unit(s) in spleen] and total cells was halted in murine long-term marrow cultures. Cobblestone areas disappeared in these cultures, indicating the inhibition of binding of hemopoietic cells to the stroma. Electron microscopy revealed no alterations of the stroma, and the probes did not have direct cytotoxic or inhibitory effects on the growth of CFU-S or CFU-C [colony-forming unit(s) in culture]. Stroma grown for 5 weeks in the presence of the probes could subsequently support the growth of hemopoietic progenitor cells when the probes were removed from the medium. Conversely, the proliferative capacity of CFU-S in the supernate, grown in the presence of the probes, was retained upon grafting to control stroma. Galactosyl and mannosyl but not fucosyl probes differentially agglutinated CFU-S in whole-marrow-cell suspensions, suggesting the presence of membrane lectins with specificity for these sugars on the surface of CFU-S. We conclude that the binding of CFU-S to marrow stroma (homing) is mediated by a recognition system with galactosyl and mannosyl specificities.

Mannose-receptor ligands stimulate secretion of lysosomal enzymes from rabbit alveolar macrophages

Neoglycoproteins (Lee, Y.C., Stowell, C.P., and Krantz, M.J. (1976) Biochemistry 15, 3956-3963) and monosaccharides which interact with the Man/Fuc receptor (Stah, P.D., Rodman, J.S., Miller, M.J., and Schlesinger, P.H. (1978) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75, 1399-1403) stimulate lysosomal enzyme secretion in rabbit alveolar macrophages in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Man43-bovine serum albumin (BSA), L-Fuc30-BSA, and Man96-poly-D-lysine (Hoppe, C.A., and Lee, Y.C. (1984) Biochemistry 23, 1723-1730) were potent stimulators of lysosomal enzyme secretion. Mannose, L-fucose (Fuc), N-acetylmannosamine and N-acetylglucosamine were also effective, but much higher concentrations (above 10 mM) were required to elicit the same effects as the corresponding neoglycoproteins. After a 1.5-h incubation of the cells with Man43-BSA in the presence of 10 mM EDTA, the stimulation of lysosomal enzyme secretion was reduced by 73%. These results indicate that the Man/L-Fuc receptor participates in the process of lysosomal enzyme secretion. Addition of cycloheximide did not affect the stimulation by Man43-BSA, indicating that shunting of newly synthesized enzymes is not involved in the observed phenomenon. The temporary binding of ligands to the cell surface Man/Fuc receptor at 4 degrees C also did not show the stimulation effect. Secretion of Man211-poly-D-lysine preloaded in secondary lysosome was stimulated by Man43-BSA, suggesting that secondary lysosome is one of the pools from which lysosomal enzymes are secreted. However, neither storage of an undegradable ligand in lysosomes nor the degradation of a degradable ligand was an absolute requirement for stimulation of enzyme secretion, because both Man96-poly-D-lysine (nondegradable ligand) and Man43-BSA (degradable ligand) can stimulate to a similar extent.

Chemical synthesis and seroreactivity of O-(3,6-di-O-methyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-O-(2,3-di-O-methyl- alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-(1----9)-oxynonanoyl-bovine serum albumin--the leprosy-specific, natural disaccharide-octyl-neoglycoprotein

The outer disaccharide segment, namely, O-(3,6-di-O-methyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-2,3-di-O-methyl-alpha -L-rhamnopyranose, of the trisaccharide-containing, leprosy-specific, phenolic glycolipid I has been synthesized as the 8-(methoxycarbonyl)octyl glycoside in high yield and absolute stereospecificity by a series of modified Koenigs-Knorr and Helferich reactions. A particular feature of the synthetic pathway involves methylation of the 2-hydroxyl group of the rhamnose moiety under neutral conditions, after first preparing the 8-(methoxycarbonyl)octyl glycoside as the alpha anomer via the 1,2-orthoacetate, and thus precluding the possible formation of an anomeric mixture. The 8-(methoxycarbonyl)octyl O-(3,6-di-O-methyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-2,3-di-O-methyl-alpha -L-rhamnopyranoside was converted into the crystalline hydrazide, and this was coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA), via intermediate acyl-azide formation, to produce the corresponding neoglycoprotein, O-(3,6-di-O-methyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)- (1----4)-O-(2,3-di-O-methyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl)- (1----9)-oxynonanoyl-BSA, the so-called natural disaccharide-octyl-BSA. Extensive serological testing of this product against sera from leprosy patients and control populations, and comparison with the native glycolipid and previously synthesized neoglycoproteins, have shown that it is unparalleled in terms of sensitivity and specificity, and highly suited to replace the native glycolipid for the serodiagnosis of worldwide lepromatous leprosy.

Non-enzymic glycation of proteins: analysis of N-(1-deoxyhexitol-1-yl)amino acids by high-performance liquid chromatography

A method for determining the extent of non-enzymic glycation (originally called "glycosylation") of both lysyl and N-terminal residues of a protein is described. The glycated protein is treated with sodium borohydride, and is then subjected to acid-catalysed hydrolysis. The resulting N-(1-deoxy-D-hexitol-1-yl)amino acids are separated by cation-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (l.c.), and detected by a post-column reaction with periodate. The method has been applied successfully to samples of human hemoglobin and human serum albumin, for measurement of numbers of valine-attached and of lysine-attached N-(1-deoxy-D-fructos-1-yl) groups per protein molecule.

A molecular model of artificial glycoprotein with predetermined multiple immunodeterminants for gram-positive and gram-negative encapsulated bacteria

An artificial molecule was synthesized by covalently linking the oligosaccharide haptens derived frm Streptococcus pneumoniae type 6A and Neisseria meningitidis group C capsular polysaccharides to the non-toxic mutant protein CRM197, serologically related to diphtheria toxin. Immunochemical analysis using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies showed in the glycoprotein the presence of specific immunodeterminants of the native polysaccharides and of the carrier protein. The immunological activity of this hybrid molecule tested in two animal models gave evidence for anamnestic induction of serum antibodies specifically directed to the three distinct native molecules. They neutralized the toxicity of diphtheria toxin, recognized the polysaccharide capsule of S. pneumoniae type 6A and 6B (group 6) strain and killed the N. meningitidis group C bacteria by complement-mediated bacterial lysis. These findings support the possibility of using in humans a multivalent antigen with immunogenic activity for several epidemiologically significant Gram-positive and Gram-negative encapsulated bacterial strains.

A simplified serological test for leprosy based on a 3,6-di-O-methylglucose-containing synthetic antigen

The recent advent of synthetic antigens containing the Mycobacterium leprae-specific epitope, 3,6-di-O-methyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, has allowed the development of simple specific serological tests for leprosy. The incorporation of one such product, 8-carbonyloctyl O-[4-O-(3,6-di-O-methyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-alpha-L- rhamnopyranoside]-BSA, into a simple "spot" test, diffusion-in-gel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), allowed an over 90% detection rate of untreated lepromatous leprosy, and the results showed good concordance with conventional ELISA based on the native phenolic glycolipid I.

Synthesis of N-glycopeptides and a neoglycoprotein

O-(alpha-D-Glucopyranosyl)-(1----6)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----6)-1-N -(glycylglycylglycyl-L-seryl-L-leucyl-L-glutam-5-oyl)-alpha- D -glucopyranosylamine has been prepared, as a model of a derivative possibly present in the glomerular basement membrane of rats, by condensation of the corresponding L-glutamyl derivative of the trisaccharide with the pentapeptide in the presence of O,O-diethyl cyanophosphonate. Protective groups were removed by O-deacetylation, deethoxylation, and hydrogenolysis. The glutamyl derivative of the trisaccharide was also converted into the acyl azide which was condensed with bovine serum albumin to form a neoglycoprotein.

Preparation of a glycosyl donor suitable for synthesis of glycoprotein "core" oligosaccharides

2-O-Acetyl-3-O-allyl-4-O-benzyl-6-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-D-gluc opyranosyl chloride (14), a glycosyl donor suitable for synthesis of oligosaccharides corresponding to the N-glycoprotein saccharide "core", was synthesized by an efficient, six-stage route from 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,2-O-[1-(exo-ethoxy)ethylidene)-alpha-D-glucopyranos e. Silver triflate-promoted coupling of 14 with benzyl 2-acetamido-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranoside gave a protected beta-D-(1----4)-linked disaccharide in 38% yield, but a major side-reaction also occurred. When the tert-butyldiphenylsilyl group was quantitatively removed from 14 prior to the coupling reaction, and replaced afterwards, the yield in the glycosidation was increased to 55%, and major side-products were avoided.

Immobilized glycoconjugates for cell recognition studies

Specific cell-cell recognition and adhesion may involve cell surface glycoconjugates on one cell binding the complementary carbohydrate receptors on an apposing cell surface. Such interactions have been modeled by immobilizing simple synthetic glycosides, glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans, and glycolipids on otherwise inert plastic surfaces and incubating them with intact cells. Using this approach, the ability of several cell types to recognize specific carbohydrates has been demonstrated. This carbohydrate-directed cell adhesion may depend on cell surface carbohydrate receptors which mediate both the initial specific adhesion and complex postrecognition cellular responses. While the relationship of the cell adhesion demonstrated here to cell-cell recognition in vivo has yet to be determined, this well-controlled biochemical approach may reveal new information on the way in which cells analyze and respond to their immediate external environment.

Synthetic neoglycoproteins: a class of regents for detection of sugar-recognizing substances

Specific interactions between proteins and sugars have recently been emphasized in many biological systems. To detect sugar-recognizing substances, known as lectin-like substances or endogenous lectins, we describe a method in which various sugars were covalently bound to a carrier protein such as albumin. This neoglycoprotein was stable at -20 degrees C for a period of 6 months. It was conjugated to various cytochemical markers (125I, fluorescein isothiocyanate, colloidal gold, or latex minibead). Detection of the marker then indicates the presence of the sugar-binding protein. Control experiments in the presence of unlabeled neoglycoprotein or specific sugar indicated the specificity of the reaction. This method was used to analyze the kinetics of binding for a mannose-recognition system in the mouse peritoneal macrophages. The data obtained were in agreement with those previously reported. The method can be used for detection of other sugar-recognizing systems as virtually every simple sugar can be bound to a carrier protein to produce these neoglycoproteins. Some of the consideration required for successful production of these reagents are discussed. These synthetic neoglycoproteins are useful in studying the distribution and kinetics of sugar-recognizing systems and may help to further our understanding of this rapidly developing area.

Neoglycoproteins: in vitro introduction of glycosyl units at glutamines in beta-casein using transglutaminase

Exploring different methods for preparing neoglycoproteins with a specific number of oligosaccharides in specific positions, we have used guinea pig liver transglutaminase to incorporate glycosyl units into glutamine residues in beta-casein. In order to prevent epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine cross-link formation, the lysine residues of beta-casein were first blocked either by amidination with ethyl acetimidate or by acylation with succinic anhydride. The glycosyl donor substrates prepared for this work were maltotriose reductively aminated with cadaverine, N-(Glc-Glc-glucitol-1)-cadaverine, and an asparaginyl nonasaccharide from ovalbumin modified with a 6-aminohexanoyl group at the alpha-amino group. The transglutaminase-catalyzed incorporation of these two donors into the beta-casein derivatives was monitored in comparison to the incorporation of the commonly used transglutaminase substrate dansylcadaverine under conditions of optimal incorporation (multiple additions of enzyme, large excess of donor, and long incubation time). For both dansylcadaverine and Glc-Glc-Glc(OH)-cadaverine, 5 and 8 mol of donor were incorporated per mol of amidinated and succinylated beta-casein, respectively. Competition experiments showed that the two donor substrates are incorporated into the same glutamine sites. Partial sequencing of the glycosylated beta-casein permitted the identification of glutamine residues 56, 79, 167, 175, and 194 as the primary sites of incorporation in amidinated casein with residues 54 and 182 as possible sites for partial glycosylation. The results are consistent with a specific glycosylation of only selected glutamines in this transglutaminase-catalyzed process.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Synthesis of spacer-arm, lipid, and ethyl glycosides of the terminal trisaccharide [alpha-D-Gal-(1----4)-beta-D-Gal-(1----4)-beta-D-GlcNAc] portion of the blood-group P1 antigen: preparation of neoglycoproteins

The title compounds were prepared via the acetylated 2-bromoethyl beta-glycoside (5) of alpha-D-Gal-(1----4)-beta-D-Gal-(1----4)-beta-D-GlcNAc by displacement of bromide ion with methyl 3-mercaptopropionate, octadecanethiol, and hydrogen, respectively. Silver triflate-promoted glycosylation of 2-bromoethyl 3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-beta-D-glucopyranoside with 2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl) -alpha-D-galactopyranosyl bromide gave 5. The spacer-arm glycoside derived from methyl 3-mercaptopropionate was coupled to bovine serum albumin and key-hole limpet haemocyanin to give neoglycoproteins.

Synthesis of N-(1-deoxyhexitol-1-yl)amino acids, reference compounds for the nonenzymic glycosylation of proteins

The N-(1-deoxy-D-mannitol-1-yl) and N-(1-deoxy-D-glucitol-1-yl) derivatives of L-valine, L-alanine, L-threonine, and L-leucine were prepared by reductive amination of D-mannose and D-glucose with the appropriate amino acids, in the presence of sodium cyanoborohydride. N epsilon-(1-Deoxy-D-mannitol-1-yl)- and N epsilon-(1-deoxy-D-glucitol-1-yl)-L-lysine were prepared by similar reactions of hexoses with N alpha-tert-butoxycarbonyl and N alpha-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine, followed by removal of the protecting groups. The structures were confirmed by 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy, which showed that each compound was completely free of its C-2 epimer. The synthetic compounds may be used as reference compounds for the identification of N-(1-deoxyhexitol-1-yl)amino acids formed when N-(1-deoxy-D-fructose-1-yl) groups of nonenzymically glycosylated proteins, of the hemoglobin A1c type, are reduced with sodium borohydride, and the protein is subjected to acid-catalyzed hydrolysis.

Synthesis of spacer-arm, lipid, and ethyl glycosides of the trisaccharide portion [alpha-D-Gal-(1----4)-beta-D-Gal-(1----4)-beta-D-Glc] of the blood-group Pk antigen: preparation of neoglycoproteins

The title compounds were prepared via the acetylated 2-bromoethyl glycoside 11 of alpha-D-Gal-(1----4)-beta-D-Gal-(1----4)-beta-D-Glc by displacement of bromide ion with methyl 3- mercaptopropionate , octadecanethiol , and hydrogen, respectively. Silver triflate -promoted glycosylation of 2-bromoethyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside with 2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl) -alpha -D-galactopyranosyl bromide gave 11. A tetradeuterated analogue of 11 was prepared by essentially the same route. The spacer-arm glycoside formed from methyl 3- mercaptopropionate was coupled to bovine serum albumin and keyhole limpet haemocyanin.

2-Bromoethyl glycosides in glycoside synthesis: preparation of glycoproteins containing alpha-L-Fuc-(1----2)-D-Gal and beta-D-Gal-(1----4)-D-GlcNAc

The applicability of 2-bromoethyl glycosides in carbohydrate synthesis is demonstrated by the synthesis of glycosides of alpha-L-Fuc-(1----2)-D-Gal and beta-D-Gal-(1----4)-D-GlcNAc. The bromoethyl aglycon was transformed into the methoxycarbonylethylthioethyl spacer, which allowed coupling of the sugars to proteins (BSA and KLH).