‘Sugaring’ carbosilane dendrimers via hydrosilylation

Synthetic study of 3-fluorinated sialic acid derivatives

Sialic acid derivatives, analogs, and their conjugates are expected to be pharmaceutical candidates such as anti-influenza drugs and also useful probes for investigating the biological role of glycoconjugates. Derivatives of 3-fluorinated sialic acid (3-F-Sia) have been found to be excellent probes in investigating functions and mechanisms of a series of proteins. Here, we describe the syntheses of 3-F-Sia derivatives, which are useful in making biologically important conjugate probes. A practical method for the construction of 3-fluorinated sialosides based on the stereoselective formation of the corresponding anomeric O-trimethylsilyl ether and their nucleophilic attack by an alkyl halide, an allyl halide in particular, was developed. In addition, details of the synthesis of cytidine monophosphate (CMP)-3-F-Sia bearing a fluorescent tag, which has been proven to show dual functions as a substrate of CMP-sialic acid transporter (CST) and an inhibitor of sialyltransferase (STase), are described.

Synthesis of a glycodendrimer incorporating multiple mannosides on a glucoside core

The synthesis of a glycodendrimer by incorporating repetitive mannoside units onto a glucoside core was carried out to multivalently probe fundamental carbohydrate–protein interactions. The dendritic structure was constructed by a modified procedure that utilized multiple glycosylations between a thioether glycosyl donor and five elongated spacer arms of a glycosyl acceptor. The completed dendrimer bears a full carbohydrate structure, and thus should find its potential application in the study of mannose–lectin interactions.

Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: An update for 2003-2004

This review is the third update of the original review, published in 1999, on the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings the topic to the end of 2004. Both fundamental studies and applications are covered. The main topics include methodological developments, matrices, fragmentation of carbohydrates and applications to large polymeric carbohydrates from plants, glycans from glycoproteins and those from various glycolipids. Other topics include the use of MALDI MS to study enzymes related to carbohydrate biosynthesis and degradation, its use in industrial processes, particularly biopharmaceuticals and its use to monitor products of chemical synthesis where glycodendrimers and carbohydrate-protein complexes are highlighted.

Peptide dendrimers

Dendrimers are branched structures and represent a fast growing field covering many areas of chemistry. Various types of dendrimers differing in composition and structure are mentioned, together with their practical use spanning from catalysis, transport vehicles to synthetic vaccines. The main stress is given to peptide dendrimers, namely, multiple antigenic peptides (MAPs). Their synthesis, physicochemical properties, biological activities, etc. have been described with many examples. MAPs can be used as diagnostics, mimetics, for complexation of different cations, as vaccines against parasites, bacteria, viruses, etc.