Systematic synthesis of sulfated sialyl-alpha-(2 --> 3)-neolactotetraose derivatives and their acceptor specificity for an alpha-(1 --> 3)-fucosyltransferase (Fuc-TVII) involved in the biosynthesis of L-selectin ligand

6-O-Sulfo sialylparagloboside and sialyl Lewis X neo-glycolipids containing lactamized neuraminic acid: Synthesis and antigenic reactivity against G159 monoclonal antibody

Synthesis and antigenic reactivity of 6-O-sulfo sialylparagloboside (SPG) and sialyl Lewis X (sLeX) neo-glycolipids containing lactamized neuraminic acid are described. The suitably protected GlcNAc-beta (1-->3)-Gal-beta (1-->4)-GlcOSE derivative was glycosylated with NeuTFAc-alpha (2-->3)-Gal imidate to give NeuTFAc-alpha (2-->3)-Galbeta (1-->4)-GlcNAc-beta (1-->3)-Gal-beta (1-->4)-GlcOSE pentasaccharide. The partial N,O-deacylation in the NeuTFAc-alpha (2-->3)-Gal part afforded N-deacetylated SPG derivative which was converted to the desired oligosaccharide containing lactamized neuraminic acid. Similar treatment of the sLeX hexasaccharide derivative, NeuTFAc-alpha (2-->3)-Gal-beta (1-->4) [Fuc-alpha (1-->3)]-GlcNAc-beta (1-->3)-Gal-beta (1-->4)-GlcOSE, gave the key hexasaccharide intermediate containing lactamized neuraminic acid. These suitably protected SPG and sLex oligosaccharides were converted stepwise into the desired neo-glycolipids (GSC-551 and GSC-552) by the coupling with 2-(tetradecyl)hexadecanol, 6-O-sulfation at C-6 of the GlcNAc residure, and complete deprotection. Both lactamized-sialyl 6-O-sulfo SPG (GSC-551) and sLex (GSC-552) neo-glycolipids were clearly recognized with G159 monoclonal antibody showing that both the lactamized neuraminic acid and the 6-O-sulfate at C-6 of GlcNAc would be involved in the G159-defined determinant. However, the Fuc residue and the lipophilic (ceramide) part may not be critical for this recognition.

Molecular mechanism for cancer-associated induction of sialyl Lewis X and sialyl Lewis A expression-The Warburg effect revisited

Cell adhesion mediated by selectins and their carbohydrate ligands, sialyl Lewis X and sialyl Lewis A, figures heavily in cancer metastasis. Expression of these carbohydrate determinants is markedly enhanced in cancer cells, but the molecular mechanism that leads to cancer-associated expression of sialyl Lewis X/A has not been well understood. Results of recent studies indicated involvement of two principal mechanisms in the accelerated expression of sialyl Lewis X/A in cancers; 'incomplete synthesis' and ' neo synthesis.' As to 'incomplete synthesis,' we have recently found further modified forms of sialyl Lewis X and sialyl Lewis A in non-malignant colonic epithelium, which have additional 6-sulfation or 2 --> 6 sialylation. The impairment of GlcNAc 6-sulfation and 2 --> 6 sialylation upon malignant transformation leads to accumulation of sialyl Lewis X/A in colon cancer cells. Epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation and/or histone deacetylation are suggested to lie behind such incomplete synthesis. As to the mechanism called ' neo synthesis,' recent studies have indicated that cancer-associated alterations in the sugar transportation and intermediate carbohydrate metabolism play important roles. Cancer cells are known to exhibit a metabolic shift from oxidative to elevated anaerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect), which is correlated with the increased gene expression of sugar transporters and glycolytic enzymes induced by common cancer-specific genetic alterations. The increased sialyl Lewis X/A expression in cancer is a link in the chains of these events because our recent results indicated that these events accompany transcriptional induction of a set of genes closely related to its expression.

Synergistic interactions of the two classes of ligand, sialyl-Lewis(a/x) fuco-oligosaccharides and short sulpho-motifs, with the P- and L-selectins: implications for therapeutic inhibitor designs

The E-, L- and P-selectins are carbohydrate-recognizing cell-adhesion molecules mediating selective leucocyte recruitment in inflammation. The 3'-sialyl- and 3'-sulpho-oligosaccharides of Lewis(x) (Le(x)) and Lewis(a) (Le(a)) series are bound by them, but for high-avidity binding of P- and L-selectins to the glycoprotein counter-receptor known as P-selectin glycoprotein ligand, PSGL-1, there is a requirement for sulpho-tyrosines neighbouring a sialyl-Le(x) glycan. The two selectins can also bind 3-O- or 6-O-sulphated galacto-lipids (sulphatides). Here we compare some features of the interactions of P- and L-selectins with a novel lipid-linked sulpho-tyrosine probe, and with the sulphatides and neoglycolipids of sialyl- and sulpho-Le(x)/Le(a) fuco-oligosaccharides. The sulpho-tyrosine probe is bound by both selectins. There are close similarities in the interactions of the two selectins with sulpho-tyrosine and the sulphatides; the binding is relatively resistant to chelation of calcium ions, in contrast to the absolute requirement of calcium ions with the long fuco-oligosaccharides, including 6-sulpho-sialyl-Le(x). With both selectins, there is striking synergy in binding signals elicited by the two ligand types when presented as equimolar mixtures on a matrix. Thus, there are two operationally distinct binding sites on both L- and P-selectin; and the binding sites for sulphate groups in the two ligand types are probably distinct. When sulpho-tyrosine and sialyl-Le(x) are presented on liposomes, a potent inhibitory activity is generated toward the binding of P-selectin to HL60 cells, with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) values in the nanomolar range. These features of the lipid-linked ligand analogues, and the simple approach for their display on liposomes, may have applications in designs and screening of selectin inhibitors as anti-inflammatory compounds.

Enzymatic synthesis of sulfated disaccharides using beta-D-galactosidase-catalyzed transglycosylation

We have established a unique enzymatic approach for obtaining sulfated disaccharides using Bacillus circulans beta-D-galactosidase-catalyzed 6-sulfo galactosylation. When 4-methyl umbelliferyl 6-sulfo beta-D-galactopyranoside (S6Gal beta-4MU) was used as a donor, the enzyme induced transfer of 6-sulfo galactosyl residue to GlcNAc acceptor. As a result, the desired compound 6'-sulfo N-acetyllactosamine (S6Gal beta1-4GlcNAc) and its positional isomer 6'-sulfo N-acetylisolactosamine (S6Gal beta1-6GlcNAc) were observed by HPAEC-PAD, in 49% total yield based on the donor added, and in a molar ratio of 1:3.5. With a glucose acceptor, the regioselectivity was substantially changed and S6Gal beta1-2Glc was mainly produced along with beta-(1-1)alpha, beta-(1-3), beta-(1-6) isomers in 74% total yield. When methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside (Glc alpha-OMe) was an acceptor, the enzyme also formed mainly S6Gal beta1-2Glc alpha-OMe with its beta-(1-6)-linked isomer in 41% total yield based on the donor added. In both cases, it led to the predominant formation of beta-(1-2)-linked disaccharides. In contrast, with the corresponding methyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (Glc beta-OMe) acceptor, S6Gal beta1-3Glc beta-OMe and S6Gal beta1-6Glc beta-OMe were formed in a low total yield of 12%. These results indicate that the regioselectivity and efficiency on the beta-D-galactosidase-mediated transfer reaction significantly depend on the anomeric configuration in the glucosyl acceptors.

6-O-sulfo de-N-acetylsialyl Lewis X as a novel high-affinity ligand for human L-selectin: total synthesis and structural characterization

Total synthesis and structural characterization of a novel 6-O-sulfo de-N-acetylsialyl Lewis X, which was originally discovered as a minor by-product of the parent 6-O-sulfo N-acetylsialyl Lewis X, a high-affinity endogenous ligand for human L-selectin, are described. The total synthesis has been achieved by a highly efficient, regio- and alpha-stereoselective glycosylation of N-trifluoroacetylneuraminic acid, selective protections of the 3- and 6-hydroxyl groups of N-acetylglucosamine that undergo fucosylation and sulfation, and construction of the glycolipid structure containing a ceramide. The structure of 6-O-sulfo de-N-acetylsialyl Lewis X ganglioside was characterized by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS).