Total synthesis of a fully lipidated form of phosphatidyl-myo-inositol dimannoside (PIM-2) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Chemical Synthesis of Cell Wall Constituents of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), causing tuberculosis disease, features an extraordinary thick cell envelope, rich in Mtb-specific lipids, glycolipids, and glycans. These cell wall components are often directly involved in host–pathogen interaction and recognition, intracellular survival, and virulence. For decades, these mycobacterial natural products have been of great interest for immunology and synthetic chemistry alike, due to their complex molecular structure and the biological functions arising from it. The synthesis of many of these constituents has been achieved and aided the elucidation of their function by utilizing the synthetic material to study Mtb immunology. This review summarizes the synthetic efforts of a quarter century of total synthesis and highlights how the synthesis layed the foundation for immunological studies as well as drove the field of organic synthesis and catalysis to efficiently access these complex natural products.

Diastereoselective desymmetric 1,2-cis-glycosylation of meso-diols via chirality transfer from a glycosyl donor

Chemical desymmetrization reactions of meso-diols are highly effective for the precise and efficient synthesis of chiral molecules. However, even though enzyme-catalyzed desymmetric glycosylations are frequently found in nature, there is no method for highly diastereoselective desymmetric chemical glycosylation of meso-diols. Herein, we report a highly diastereoselective desymmetric 1,2-cis-glycosylation of meso-diols found in myo-inositol 1,3,5-orthoesters using a boronic acid catalyst based on predictions of regioselectivity by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The enantiotopic hydroxyl groups of the meso-diols are clearly differentiated by the stereochemistry at the C2 position of the glycosyl donor with excellent regioselectivities. In addition, the present method is successfully applied to the synthesis of core structures of phosphatidylinositolmannosides (PIMs) and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors, and common β-mannoside structures of the LLBM-782 series of antibiotics.

Enzyme-catalyzed desymmetric glycosylations are often found in nature, however the corresponding chemical methods are lacking. Here, the authors report a highly diastereoselective desymmetric 1,2-cis-glycosylation of meso-diols found in myo-inositol 1,3,5-orthoesters using a boronic acid catalyst.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Glycoconjugates for Vaccine Development

During the last decade there has been a growing interest in glycoimmunology, a relatively new research field dealing with the specific interactions of carbohydrates with the immune system. Pathogens’ cell surfaces are covered by a thick layer of oligo- and polysaccharides that are crucial virulence factors, as they mediate receptors binding on host cells for initial adhesion and organism invasion. Since in most cases these saccharide structures are uniquely exposed on the pathogen surface, they represent attractive targets for vaccine design. Polysaccharides isolated from cell walls of microorganisms and chemically conjugated to immunogenic proteins have been used as antigens for vaccine development for a range of infectious diseases. However, several challenges are associated with carbohydrate antigens purified from natural sources, such as their difficult characterization and heterogeneous composition. Consequently, glycoconjugates with chemically well-defined structures, that are able to confer highly reproducible biological properties and a better safety profile, are at the forefront of vaccine development. Following on from our previous review on the subject, in the present account we specifically focus on the most recent advances in the synthesis and preliminary immunological evaluation of next generation glycoconjugate vaccines designed to target bacterial and fungal infections that have been reported in the literature since 2011.

Defining the Interaction of Human Soluble Lectin ZG16p and Mycobacterial Phosphatidylinositol Mannosides

ZG16p is a soluble mammalian lectin that interacts with mannose and heparan sulfate. Here we describe detailed analysis of the interaction of human ZG16p with mycobacterial phosphatidylinositol mannosides (PIMs) by glycan microarray and NMR. Pathogen-related glycan microarray analysis identified phosphatidylinositol mono- and di-mannosides (PIM1 and PIM2) as novel ligand candidates of ZG16p. Saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR and transferred NOE experiments with chemically synthesized PIM glycans indicate that PIMs preferentially interact with ZG16p by using the mannose residues. The binding site of PIM was identified by chemical-shift perturbation experiments with uniformly (15)N-labeled ZG16p. NMR results with docking simulations suggest a binding mode of ZG16p and PIM glycan; this will help to elucidate the physiological role of ZG16p.

Total synthesis of tetraacylated phosphatidylinositol hexamannoside and evaluation of its immunomodulatory activity

Tuberculosis, aggravated by drug-resistant strains and HIV co-infection of the causative agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a global problem that affects millions of people. With essential immunoregulatory roles, phosphatidylinositol mannosides are among the cell-envelope components critical to the pathogenesis and survival of M. tuberculosis inside its host. Here we report the first synthesis of the highly complex tetraacylated phosphatidylinositol hexamannoside (Ac₂PIM₆), having stearic and tuberculostearic acids as lipid components. Our effort makes use of stereoelectronic and steric effects to control the regioselective and stereoselective outcomes and minimize the synthetic steps, particularly in the key desymmetrization and functionalization of myo-inositol. A short synthesis of tuberculostearic acid in six steps from the Roche ester is also described. Mice exposed to the synthesized Ac₂PIM₆ exhibit increased production of interleukin-4 and interferon-γ, and the corresponding adjuvant effect is shown by the induction of ovalbumin- and tetanus toxoid-specific antibodies.

Phosphatidylinositol mannosides are cell envelope components vital for the survival of M. tuberculosis. Here, the authors report an elegant and convergent total synthesis of the complex glycolipid tetraacylated phosphatidylinositol hexamannoside (Ac2PIM6) and study the immunological effects in mice.

Synthesis of mycobacterial triacylated phosphatidylinositol dimannoside containing an acyl lipid chain at 3-O of inositol

A seven-step synthesis of triacylated phosphatidylinositol dimannoside is described from myo-inositol 1,3,5-orthoformate. It proceeded in 31% overall yield via a highly regioselective and stereoselective 2,6-di-O-D-mannosylation as the key step.