Syntheses of beta-d-Galf-(1-->6)-beta-d-Galf-(1-->5)-d-Galf and beta-d-Galf-(1-->5)-beta-d-Galf-(1-->6)-d-Galf, trisaccharide units in the galactan of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Novel Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Water-Soluble Polysaccharides from Jasmine Tea

There have been few studies dealing with chemical elucidation and pharmacological potentials of water-soluble polysaccharides from jasmine tea, limiting their use in functional foods. In this study, water-soluble polysaccharides (named as JSP) were extracted from Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton tea and fractionated to afford two sub-fractions (JSP-1 and JSP-2). The main structural characteristics of novel JSP sub-fractions were determined by high performance gel permeation chromatography, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Physiologically, the abilities of JSP-1 and JSP-2 to reduce ferric ions, scavenge DPPH and hydroxyl radicals, as well as protect islet cells were confirmed in vitro. JSP-1 exhibited better antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities than JSP-2. The molecular weights of JSP-1 and JSP-2 were 18.4 kDa and 14.1 kDa, respectively. JSP-1 was made up of glucose, galactose, rhamnose, xylose, arabinose, and galacturonic acid with molar ratios 1.14:4.69:1.00:9.92:13.79:4.09, whereas JSP-2 with a triple helical structure was composed of galactose, rhamnose, xylose, arabinose, and galacturonic acid as 3.80:1.00:8.27:11.85:5.05 of molar ratios. JSP-1 contains →1)-α-Galƒ-(3→, →1)-α-Galƒ-(2→, →1)-α-Araƒ-(5→, →1)-α-Araƒ-(3→, →1)-α-Araƒ-(3,5→, →1)-β-Xylp-(2→ and →1)-β-Xylp-(3→ residues in the backbone. These results open up new pharmacological prospects for the water-soluble polysaccharides extracted from jasmine tea.

Automated Glycan Assembly of Oligogalactofuranosides Reveals the Influence of Protecting Groups on Oligosaccharide Stability

Galactofurans are an important structural constituent of arabinogalactan and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) ubiquitously present on the envelopes of all Mycobacteria. Key to the automated glycan assembly (AGA) of linear galactofuranosides as long as 20-mers was the identification of thioglycoside building blocks with a fine balance of stereoelectronic and steric effects to ensure the stability of oligogalactofuranoside during the synthesis. A benzoylated galactofuranose thioglycoside building block proved most efficient for oligosaccharide construction.

Synthesis of oligosaccharides related to galactomannans from Aspergillus fumigatus and their NMR spectral data

The synthesis of model oligosaccharides related to antigenic galactomannans of the dangerous fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus has been performed employing pyranoside-into-furanoside (PIF) rearrangement and controlled O(5) → O(6) benzoyl migration as key synthetic methods. The prepared compounds along with some previously synthesized oligosaccharides were studied by NMR spectroscopy with the full assignment of ¹H and ¹³C signals and the determination of ¹³C NMR glycosylation effects. The obtained NMR database on ¹³C NMR chemical shifts for oligosaccharides representing galactomannan fragments forms the basis for further structural analysis of galactomannan related polysaccharides by a non-destructive approach based on the calculation of the ¹³C NMR spectra of polysaccharides by additive schemes.

Galactofuranose antigens, a target for diagnosis of fungal infections in humans

The use of biomarkers for the detection of fungal infections is of interest to complement histopathological and culture methods. Since the production of antibodies in immunocompromised patients is scarce, detection of a specific antigen could be effective for early diagnosis. D-Galactofuranose (Galf) is the antigenic epitope in glycoconjugates of several pathogenic fungi. Since Galf is not biosynthesized by mammals, it is an attractive candidate for diagnosis of infection. A monoclonal antibody that recognizes Galf is commercialized for detection of aspergillosis. The linkage of Galf in the natural glycans and the chemical structures of the synthesized Galf-containing oligosaccharides are described in this paper. The oligosaccharides could be used for the synthesis of artificial carbohydrate-based antigens, not enough exploited for diagnosis.

D-Galactofuranose (Galf) is the unit in polysaccharides and glycoconjugates of several pathogenic fungi that is recognized by the immune system. Since Galf is not synthesized by mammals, it is an attractive candidate for diagnosis of infection. Since the production of antibodies in immunocompromised patients is scarce, detection of a specific antigen could be effective for early diagnosis. An antibody that recognizes Galf is commercialized for the detection of aspergillosis. Chemically synthesized Galf-containing oligosaccharides, reviewed in this paper, could therefore be used for the synthesis of artificial carbohydrate-based antigens and in diagnosis.

Influence of silyl protections on the anomeric reactivity of galactofuranosyl thioglycosides and application of the silylated thiogalactofuranosides to one-pot synthesis of diverse β-D-oligogalactofuranosides

We describe in this paper the tuning effect of silyl protecting groups on the donor reactivity of galactofuranosyl phenyl thioglycosides. Silyl ethers on the galactofuranose ring are found to have an arming effect on the glycosylation reactivity, but the cyclic 3,5-acetal protecting group decreases the reactivity. The reactive phenyl 2,6-di-O-Bz-3,5-di-O-TBS-1-thio-β-d-galactofuranoside 3 is proved to be a useful glycosyl building block. By taking advantage of this donor, we achieved the highly efficient one-pot solution-phase assembly of a panel of β-d-galactofuranosyl tri- and tetrasaccharides possessing diverse glycosidic linkages.

Synthesis of D-galactofuranose-containing molecules: design of galactofuranosyl acceptors

D-Galactofuranose (D-Galf) is present in glycoconjugates of several pathogenic microorganisms but is absent in mammals, so it is a good target for the development of chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of microbial infections. This fact has increased interest in the synthesis of D-Galf-containing molecules for corresponding glycobiological studies. The synthesis of oligosaccharides, glycoconjugates, and mimetics of D-Galf requires specific methods for the preparation of galactose derivatives in the furanosic configuration, the synthesis of appropriate acceptors, and efficient glycosylation methods for the construction of α- and β-D-Galf linkages. This review summarizes the different strategies developed for the preparation of partially protected derivatives of D-Galf, suitable as acceptors for the construction of (1→2), (1→3), (1→5), and (1→6) link- ages, and describes recent applications.

Synthesis of a derivative of α-D-Glcp(1->2)-D-Galf suitable for further glycosylation and of α-D-Glcp(1->2)-D-Gal, a disaccharide fragment obtained from varianose

The presence of galactofuranoyl units in infectious microorganisms has prompted the study of the metabolic pathways involved in their incorporation in glycans. Although much progress has been made with respect to the biosynthesis of β-D-Galf-containing glycoconjugates, the mechanisms by which α-D-Galf units are incorporated remain unclear. Penicillium varians is a non-pathogenic fungus that produces varianose, a polysaccharide containing both α- and β-D-Galf units, which can be used as a model for biosynthetic studies on α-D-Galf incorporation. Synthetic oligosaccharide fragments related to varianose are useful as potential substrates or standards for characterization of the α-galactofuranosyl transferases. In this paper we report a straightforward procedure for the synthesis of α-D-Glcp(1→2)-D-Gal (1) and the use of this compound to monitor the natural disaccharide released from varianose by mild acid degradation. The synthesis, performed by the glycosylaldonolactone approach, involved a glucosylgalactofuranose derivative, suitable for the synthesis of higher oligosaccharides with an internal D-Galf.

Synthesis of the O-linked hexasaccharide containing β-D-Galf-(1→2)-β-D-Galf in Trypanosoma cruzi mucins

The hexasaccharide β-D-Galp-(1→2)-[β-D-Galp-(1→3)]-β-D-Galp-(1→6)-[β-D-Galf(1→2)-β-D-Galf(1→4)]-D-GlcNAc (1) is the largest carbohydrate structure released as alditol by reductive β-elimination from mucins of some strains of T. cruzi. The terminal β-D-Galp units are sites of sialylation by trans-sialidase which transfers sialic acid from the host to the parasite. Hexasaccharide 1 was synthesized by a [3 + 3]-convergent strategy based on a nitrile assisted glycosylation, using the trichloroacetimidate method. The β-D-Galf-(1→2)-β-D-Galf-D-GlcNAc synthon was sequentially constructed from the reducing end to the non-reducing end employing benzyl α-D-galactofuranoside as starting material for the internal Galf unit. The choice of this novel precursor, obtained in one-reaction step from galactose, allowed the introduction of an orthogonal and participating levulinoyl group at O-2. Thus, the diastereoselective construction of the Galf-β(1→4)-GlcNAc linkage by the trichloroacetimidate method of glycosylation was achieved. The (1)H NMR spectrum of alditol 2 was identical to the product released by β-elimination from the parasite mucin.

Regioselective glycosylation method using partially protected arabino- and galactofuranosyl thioglycosides as key glycosylating substrates and its application to one-pot synthesis of oligofuranoses

We describe in this paper the development of a novel regioselective furanosylation methodology using partially protected furanosyl thioglycosides as central glycosylating building blocks and its application in the efficient one-pot synthesis of a series of linear and branched-type arabino- and galactofuranoside fragments structurally related to the cell wall polysaccharides of Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Streptococcus pneumoniae serostype 35A, and sugar beet.

Glycosylation studies on conformationally restricted 3,5-O-(di-tert-butylsilylene)-D-galactofuranosyl trichloroacetimidate donors for 1,2-cis α-D-galactofuranosylation

Conformationally restricted 3,5-O-di-tert-butylsilylene-D-galactofuranosyl trichloroacetimidate donors were synthesized from allyl α-D-galactofuranoside for the construction of 1,2-cis α-D-galactofuranosyl linkages. Glycosylation reactions were performed with several acceptors, including D-galactono-1,4-lactone, D-rhamnopyranosyl, and D-mannopyranosyl derivatives. The influence of the temperature and the reaction solvents was evaluated, as well as the 6-O-substitution pattern of the donor. The higher α-selectivities were obtained at -78 °C in diethyl ether as solvent. 6-O-Acetyl substitution on constrained donor increased the α-selectivity compared to the 6-O-benzyl substitution. Almost no selectivities were observed in the non-participating solvent CH(2)Cl(2). In contrast, ethereal solvents enhanced the α-selectivity suggesting a participating effect in the reaction intermediate.

Influence of the solvent in low temperature glycosylations with O-(2,3,5,6-tetra-O-benzyl-β-D-galactofuranosyl) trichloroacetimidate for 1,2-cis α-D-galactofuranosylation

Glycosylation studies for the construction of 1,2-cis α-linkages with O-(2,3,5,6-tetra-O-benzyl-β-D-galactofuranosyl) trichloroacetimidate (1) and several acceptors, including D-mannosyl and l-rhamnosyl derivatives were performed. The reactions were conducted at low temperatures using CH(2)Cl(2), Et(2)O, and acetonitrile as solvents. A non-participating solvent such as CH(2)Cl(2) at -78°C, favored the α-D-configuration. In contrast, acetonitrile strongly favored the β-D-configuration, whereas no selectivities were observed with Et(2)O. The use of thiophene as an additive did not enhance the α-D-selectivity as in the pyranose counterpart. Although selectivities strongly depended on the acceptor, trichloroacetimidate 1 constitutes a valuable donor for the synthesis of α-D-Galf-(1→2)-l-Rha and α-D-Galf-(1→6)-D-Man. As these motifs are present in pathogenic microorganisms, these procedures described here are useful for the straightforward synthesis of natural oligosaccharides.

Synthetic UDP-furanoses as potent inhibitors of mycobacterial galactan biogenesis

UDP-galactofuranose (UDP-Galf) is a substrate for two types of enzymes, UDP-galactopyranose mutase and galactofuranosyltransferases, which are present in many pathogenic organisms but absent from mammals. In particular, these enzymes are involved in the biosynthesis of cell wall galactan, a polymer essential for the survival of the causative agent of tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We describe here the synthesis of derivatives of UDP-Galf modified at C-5 and C-6 using a chemoenzymatic route. In cell-free assays, these compounds prevented the formation of mycobacterial galactan, via the production of short "dead-end" intermediates resulting from their incorporation into the growing oligosaccharide chain. Modified UDP-furanoses thus constitute novel probes for the study of the two classes of enzymes involved in mycobacterial galactan assembly, and studies with these compounds may ultimately facilitate the future development of new therapeutic agents against tuberculosis.

Synthesis of trisaccharides containing internal galactofuranose O-linked in Trypanosoma cruzi mucins

The trisaccharides beta-D-Galf-(1-->2)-beta-D-Galf-(1-->4)-D-GlcNAc (5) and beta-D-Galp-(1-->2)-beta-D-Galf-(1-->4)-D-GlcNAc (6) constitute novel structures isolated as alditols when released by reductive beta-elimination from mucins of Trypanosoma cruzi (Tulahuen strain). Trisaccharides 5 and 6 were synthesized employing the aldonolactone approach. Thus, a convenient D-galactono-1,4-lactone derivative was used for the introduction of the internal galactofuranose and the trichloroacetimidate method was employed for glycosylation reactions. Due to the lack of anchimeric assistance on O-2 of the galactofuranosyl precursor, glycosylation studies were performed under different conditions. The nature of the solvent strongly determined the stereochemical course of the glycosylation reactions when the galactofuranosyl donor was substituted either by 2-O-Galp or 2-O-Galf.

Chemistry and biology of galactofuranose-containing polysaccharides

The thermodynamically less stable form of galactose-galactofuranose (Galf)-is essential for the viability of several pathogenic species of bacteria and protozoa but absent in this form in mammals, so the biochemical pathways by which Galf-containing glycans are assembled and catabolysed are attractive sites for drug action. This potential has led to increasing interest in the synthesis of molecules containing Galf residues, their subsequent use in studies directed towards understanding the enzymes that process these residues and the identification of potential inhibitors of these pathways. Major achievements of the past several years have included an in-depth understanding of the mechanism of UDP-galactopyranose mutase (UGM), the enzyme that produces UDP-Galf, which is the donor species for galactofuranosyltransferases. A number of methods for the synthesis of galactofuranosides have also been developed, and practitioners in the field now have many options for the initiation of a synthesis of glycoconjugates containing either alpha- or beta-Galf residues. UDP-Galf has also been prepared by a number of approaches, and it appears that a chemoenzymatic approach is currently the most viable method for producing multi-milligram amounts of this important intermediate. Recent advances both in the understanding of the mechanism of UGM and in the synthesis of galactofuranose and its derivatives are highlighted in this review.

Synthesis of bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane derivatives as conformationally restricted analogues of beta-arabinofuranosyl and alpha-galactofuranosyl rings

A route for the synthesis of bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-derived conformationally restricted analogues of beta-arabinofuranosyl and alpha-galactofuranosyl rings is described. Advantage is taken of the pseudo-enantiomeric relationship between the two ring systems to develop a route that provides both targets from a single precursor. Key steps include a base-promoted ring contraction of an epoxy ketone obtained from cyclohexane-1,4-dione to give the bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane ring system and a late stage resolution involving esterification with O-acetyl-(S)-mandelic acid.

Expression, purification, and characterization of a galactofuranosyltransferase involved in Mycobacterium tuberculosis arabinogalactan biosynthesis

The major structural component of the cell wall of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a lipidated polysaccharide, the mycoyl-arabinogalactan-peptidoglycan (mAGP) complex. This glycoconjugate plays a key role in the survival of the organism, and thus, enzymes involved in its biosynthesis have attracted attention as sites for drug action. At the core of the mAGP is a galactan composed of D-galactofuranose residues attached via alternating beta-(1-->5) and beta-(1-->6) linkages. A single enzyme, glfT, has been shown to synthesize both glycosidic linkages. We report here the first high-level expression and purification of glfT by expression of the Rv3808c gene in Escherichia coli C41(DE3). Following a three-step purification procedure, 3-7 mg of protein of >95% purity was isolated from each liter of culture. We subsequently probed the substrate specificity of glfT by evaluating a panel of potential mono- and oligosaccharide substrates and demonstrated, for the first time, that trisaccharides are better substrates than disaccharides and that one disaccharide, in which the terminal D-galactofuranose residue is replaced with an L-arabinofuranose moiety, is a weak substrate. Kinetic characterization of the enzyme using four of the oligosaccharide acceptors gave K(m) values ranging from 204 microM to 1.7 mM. Through the use of NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, we demonstrated that this recombinant enzyme, like the wild-type protein, is bifunctional and can synthesize both beta-(1-->6) and beta-(1-->5)-linkages in an alternating fashion. Access to purified glfT is expected to facilitate the development of high-throughput assays for the identification of inhibitors of the enzyme, which are potential antituberculosis agents.

Thioimidoyl furanosides as first inhibitors of the α-l-arabinofuranosidase AbfD3

Two sets of five thioimidoyl alpha-L-arabino- and beta-D-galactofuranosides were designed, synthesized and subjected to docking studies to evaluate their ability to be recognized by the active site of the alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase AbfD3. Further in vitro assays showed that the targeted furanosides are the first potent inhibitors of this furanosyl hydrolase and that the most efficient one, the thiazolyl alpha-L-arabinofuranoside 1, is a competitive inhibitor having a KI of 1.4 microM.

Synthesis of α-d-Galf-(1→2)-d-galactitol and α-d-Galf-(1→2)[β-d-Galf-(1→3)]-d-galactitol, oligosaccharide derivatives from Bacteroides cellulosolvens glycoproteins

The synthesis of alpha-D-galactofuranosyl-(1-->2)-D-galactitol, which has been isolated by reductive beta-elimination from glycoproteins of Bacteroides cellulosolvens and Clostridium thermocellum, is described. The approach of selective glycosylation of an aldono-1,4-lactone by the trichloroacetimidate method was employed. The synthesis of alpha-D-Gal f-(1-->2)[beta-D-Gal f-(1-->3)]-D-Galol, that contains Gal f units in both anomeric configurations, is also reported. These are the first synthetic oligosaccharides with alpha-D-Gal f, previously found in natural products.

Facile synthesis of α-D-Araf-(1→5)-D-Galf, the linker unit of the arabinan to the galactan in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The arabinogalactan is a crucial constituent of the cell wall of mycobacteria. Both monosaccharides (arabinose and galactose) are found in the furanose configuration, absent in mammals. An efficient synthesis of α-D-Araf-(1→5)-D-Galf, the linker unit of the arabinan to the galactan, is described. The strategy relies on the use of a conveniently substituted D-galactono-1,4-lactone as a precursor of the reducing furanose ring. The glycosylation step was performed by the tin(IV) chloride promoted method using 1,2,3,5-tetra-O-benzoyl-α,β-D-arabinofuranose. The arabinose donor was obtained in a crystalline state in one step by benzoylation of arabinose in hot pyridine. Selective glycosylation of the exocyclic OH-5 was obtained in 75% yield to give 2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-α-D-arabinofuranosyl-(1→5)-2,6-di-O-pivaloyl-D-galactono-1,4-lactone. Reduction with disiamylborane gave the disaccharide synthon, useful for further glycosylations. Dec-9-enyl α-D-Araf-(1→5)-β-D-Galf, a convenient substrate for arabinofuranosyl transferases studies, was obtained by the trichloroacetimidate method of glycosylation.Key words: arabinofuranose, galactofuranose, Mycobacterium arabinogalactan, trichloroacetimidate, tin(IV) chloride.