Chemical Synthesis of a Branched Nonasaccharide Fragment from Helicobacter pylori Lipopolysaccharide

A chemical synthesis of a unique nanosaccharide fragment from Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharide was achieved via a convergent glycosylation method. Challenges involved in the synthesis include the highly stereoselective construction of β-3-deoxy-d-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo) and two 1,2-cis-glycosidic linkages, as well as the formation of a branched 2,7-disubstituted heptose subunit. Hydrogen-bond mediated aglycone delivery strategy and benzoyl-directing remote participation effect were employed, respectively, for the efficient generation of the desired β-Kdo glycoside and 1,2-cis-α-l-fucoside/d-glucoside. Moreover, the key branched framework was successfully established through a [(7 + 1) + 1] assembly approach involving the stepwise glycosylation of the heptasaccharide alcohol with two monosaccharide donors. The synthesized 1 containing a propylamine linker at the reducing end can be covalently bound to a carrier protein for further immunological studies.

Synthesis of the Reducing-end Hexasaccharide Fragment of Marine Lipopolysaccharide Axinelloside A

Chemical synthesis of an orthogonally protected hexasaccharide relevant to the reducing-end half of axinelloside A, a highly sulfated marine lipopolysaccharide, is disclosed. The synthesis features preparation of the scyllo-inositol unit via a Ferrier-type-II rearrangement, construction of the 1,2-cis-glycosidic bonds via remote participation, and concise [2+2+2] assembly via Au(I)-catalyzed glycosylation.

Chemical Synthesis of the Nonreducing Hexasaccharide Fragment of Axinelloside A Based on a Stepwise Glycosylation Approach

An expedient synthesis of the nonreducing hexasaccharide fragment of axinelloside A has been completed via a linear stepwise glycosylation approach. Challenges involved in the synthesis include the highly stereoselective construction of five consecutive 1,2-cis-glycosidic linkages and the formation of a sterically crowded 2,3-disubstituted l-fucoside subunit. Protecting group-directing glycosylation strategies such as the remote participation effect of the benzoyl substituent and the stereocontrolling effect of the 4,6-O-benzylidene group were employed for the synthesis of the desired 1,2-cis-glycosidic linkages. Moreover, the 2,3-branched l-fucoside framework was established through a 3-O and then 2-O glycosylation sequence in which the 3-hydroxyl group of the core l-fucose unit was glycosylated first and then the 2-hydroxyl. The synthetic hexasaccharide is properly protected, so it can be employed as a precursor to synthesize its natural form.

An experimental and theoretical study on stereocontrolled glycosylations by a “one-pot” procedure

Herein we describe a “one-pot” strategy to install the stereoselectivity of both α- and β-glycosides by changing reaction conditions.

Selection of Neighboring Group Participation Intermediates of Fully Acylated Donors around the Glycosylation Sites in Oligosaccharide Acceptors

Stereo- and regioselective formation of glycosidic linkages is a challenging topic in oligosaccharide syntheses. The stereoselective construction of 1,2-trans-glycosides generally involves neighboring group participation, which is less successful when synthesizing β-1,3-linked oligosaccharides. The combined steric effect of a 2-O-substituent and an aglycon moiety in acceptors increases the efficiency of glycosylation via neighboring group participation. This steric effect was reduced by using vicinal polyol acceptors and was demonstrated in the synthesis of 1,3-linked branched oligosaccharides.

A new method for α-specific glucosylation and its application to the one-pot synthesis of a branched α-glucan

We have developed a new and highly efficient α-specific glucosylation method based on the synergistic α-directing effects of a TolSCl/AgOTf promoter system and the steric β-shielding or the remote participation of protecting groups at the donor 6-O-position.

Bimodal Glycosyl Donors Protected by 2- O-( ortho-Tosylamido)benzyl Group

A glucosyl donor equipped with C2- o-TsNHbenzyl ether was shown to provide both α- and β-glycosides stereoselectivity, by changing the reaction conditions. Namely, β-glycosides were selectively obtained when the trichloroacetimidate was activated by Tf₂NH. On the other hand, activation by TfOH in Et₂O provided α-glycosides as major products. This "single donor" approach was employed to assemble naturally occurring trisaccharide α-d-Glc-(1→2)-α-d-Glc-(1→6)-d-Glc and its anomers.

Synthesis of a biotinylated penta-α-(1→6)-d-glucoside based on the rational design of an α-stereoselective glucosyl donor

Rational design of a protecting group pattern in a glucosyl donor allows for the α-selective synthesis of biotinylated pentasaccharides corresponding to the fragment of the α-(1→6)-glucans of Helicobacter pylori.

A guide into glycosciences: How chemistry, biochemistry and biology cooperate to crack the sugar code

BACKGROUND

The most demanding challenge in research on molecular aspects within the flow of biological information is posed by the complex carbohydrates (glycan part of cellular glycoconjugates). How the 'message' encoded in carbohydrate 'letters' is 'read' and 'translated' can only be unraveled by interdisciplinary efforts.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

This review provides a didactic step-by-step survey of the concept of the sugar code and the way strategic combination of experimental approaches characterizes structure-function relationships, with resources for teaching.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

The unsurpassed coding capacity of glycans is an ideal platform for generating a broad range of molecular 'messages'. Structural and functional analyses of complex carbohydrates have been made possible by advances in chemical synthesis, rendering production of oligosaccharides, glycoclusters and neoglycoconjugates possible. This availability facilitates to test the glycans as ligands for natural sugar receptors (lectins). Their interaction is a means to turn sugar-encoded information into cellular effects. Glycan/lectin structures and their spatial modes of presentation underlie the exquisite specificity of the endogenous lectins in counterreceptor selection, that is, to home in on certain cellular glycoproteins or glycolipids.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding how sugar-encoded 'messages' are 'read' and 'translated' by lectins provides insights into fundamental mechanisms of life, with potential for medical applications.

A divergent approach to the synthesis of simplexides and congeners via a late-stage olefin cross-metathesis reaction

Simplexides constitute a unique group of immunosuppressive glycolipids that demonstrate antiproliferative activities against activated T-cell lymphocytes via a unique non-cytotoxic inhibition. To investigate the structure-activity relationship of the varied long-chain secondary alcohols on simplexides, we developed an efficient and divergent route to the synthesis of simplexides and congeners, taking advantage of a late-stage olefin cross-metathesis reaction.