Biocompatible glyconanomaterials based on HPMA-copolymer for specific targeting of galectin-3

Background

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a promising target in cancer therapy with a high therapeutic potential due to its abundant localization within the tumor tissue and its involvement in tumor development and proliferation. Potential clinical application of Gal-3-targeted inhibitors is often complicated by their insufficient selectivity or low biocompatibility. Nanomaterials based on N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) nanocarrier are attractive for in vivo application due to their good water solubility and lack of toxicity and immunogenicity. Their conjugation with tailored carbohydrate ligands can yield specific glyconanomaterials applicable for targeting biomedicinally relevant lectins like Gal-3.

Results

In the present study we describe the synthesis and the structure-affinity relationship study of novel Gal-3-targeted glyconanomaterials, based on hydrophilic HPMA nanocarriers. HPMA nanocarriers decorated with varying amounts of Gal-3 specific epitope GalNAcβ1,4GlcNAc (LacdiNAc) were analyzed in a competitive ELISA-type assay and their binding kinetics was described by surface plasmon resonance. We showed the impact of various linker types and epitope distribution on the binding affinity to Gal-3. The synthesis of specific functionalized LacdiNAc epitopes was accomplished under the catalysis by mutant β-N-acetylhexosaminidases. The glycans were conjugated to statistic HPMA copolymer precursors through diverse linkers in a defined pattern and density using Cu(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition. The resulting water-soluble and structurally flexible synthetic glyconanomaterials exhibited affinity to Gal-3 in low μM range.

Conclusions

The results of this study reveal the relation between the linker structure, glycan distribution and the affinity of the glycopolymer nanomaterial to Gal-3. They pave the way to specific biomedicinal glyconanomaterials that target Gal-3 as a therapeutic goal in cancerogenesis and other disorders.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12951-018-0399-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Micelles from self-assembled double-hydrophilic PHEMA-glycopolymer-diblock copolymers as multivalent scaffolds for lectin binding

We introduce a novel double-hydrophilic hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) based diblock glycopolymer which self-assembles into homogeneous spherical micellar structures in water.

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of biotinylated nucleotide sugars as substrates for glycosyltransferases

The enzymatic oxidation of uridine 5'-diphospho-alpha-D-galactose (UDP-Gal) and uridine 5'-diphospho-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine (UDP-GalNAc) with galactose oxidase was combined with a chemical biotinylation step involving biotin-epsilon-amidocaproylhydrazide in a one-pot synthesis. The novel nucleotide sugar derivatives uridine 5'-diphospho-6-biotin-epsilon-amidocaproylhydrazino-alpha-D-galactose (UDP-6-biotinyl-Gal) and uridine 5'-diphospho-6-biotin-epsilon-amidocaproylhydrazino-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine (UDP-6-biotinyl-GalNAc) were synthesized on a 100-mg scale and characterized by mass spectrometry (fast atom bombardment and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight) and one/two dimensional NMR spectroscopy. It could be demonstrated for the first time, by use of UDP-6-biotinyl-Gal as a donor substrate, that the human recombinant galactosyltransferases beta3Gal-T5, beta4Gal-T1, and beta4Gal-T4 mediate biotinylation of the neoglycoconjugate bovine serum albumin-p-aminophenyl N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide (BSA-(GlcNAc)17) and ovalbumin. The detection of the biotin tag transferred by beta3Gal-T5 onto BSA-(GlcNAc)17 with streptavidin-enzyme conjugates gave detection limits of 150 pmol of tagged GlcNAc in a Western blot analysis and 1 pmol of tagged GlcNAc in a microtiter plate assay. The degree of Gal-biotin tag transfer onto agalactosylated hybrid N-glycans present at the single glycosylation site of ovalbumin was dependent on the Gal-T used (either beta3Gal-T5, beta4Gal-T4, or beta4Gal-T1), which indicates that the acceptor specificity may direct the transfer of the Gal-biotin tag. The potential of this biotinylated UDP-Gal as a novel donor substrate for human galactosyltransferases lies in the targeting of distinct acceptor structures, for example, under-galactosylated glycoconjugates, which are related to diseases, or in the quality control of glycosylation of recombinant and native glycoproteins.

(Chemo)enzymatic synthesis of dTDP-activated 2,6-dideoxysugars as building blocks of polyketide antibiotics

The flexible substrate spectrum of the recombinant enzymes from the biosynthetic pathway of dTDP-beta-L-rhamnose in Salmonella enterica, serovar typhimurium (LT2), was exploited for the chemoenzymatic synthesis of deoxythymidine diphosphate- (dTDP-) activated 2,6-dideoxyhexoses. The enzymatic synthesis strategy yielded dTDP-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucose and dTDP-2,6-dideoxy-4-keto-alpha-D-glucose (13) in a 40-60 mg scale. The nucleotide deoxysugar 13 was further used for the enzymatic synthesis of dTDP-2,6-dideoxy-beta-L-arabino-hexose (dTDP-beta-L-olivose) (15) in a 30-mg scale. The chemical reduction of 13 gave dTDP-2,6-dideoxy-alpha-D-arabino-hexose (dTDP-alpha-D-olivose) (1) as the main isomer after product isolation in a 10-mg scale. With 13 as an important key intermediate, the in vitro characterization of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of dTDP-activated 2,6-dideoxy-, 2,3,6-trideoxy-D- and L-hexoses can now be addressed. Most importantly, compounds 1 and 15 are donor substrates for the in vitro characterization of glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of polyketides and other antibiotic/antitumor drugs. Their synthetic access may contribute to the evaluation of the glycosylation potential of bacterial glycosyltransferases to generate hybrid antibiotics.

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of the Galili epitope Gal(alpha)(1-->3)Galbeta(1-->4)GlcNAc on a homogeneously soluble PEG polymer by a multi-enzyme system

The alpha-Gal trisaccharide Gal(alpha)(1-->3)Galbeta(1-->4)GlcNAc 11 was synthesized on a homogeneously soluble polymeric support (polyethylene glycol, PEG) by use of a multi-enzyme system consisting of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.38), alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.151), sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) and UDP-glucose-4-epimerase (EC 5.1.3.2). In addition workup was simplified by use of dia-ultrafiltration. Thus the advantages of classic chemistry/enzymology and solid-phase synthesis could be united in one. Subsequent hydrogenolytic cleavage afforded the free alpha-Gal trisaccharide.

Synthesis of nucleotide-activated oligosaccharides by beta-galactosidase from Bacillus circulans

The enzymatic access to nucleotide-activated oligosaccharides by a glycosidase-catalyzed transglycosylation reaction was explored. The nucleotide sugars UDP-GlcNAc and UDP-Glc were tested as acceptor substrates for beta-galactosidase from Bacillus circulans using lactose as donor substrate. The UDP-disaccharides Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc(alpha1-UDP) (UDP-LacNAc) and Gal(beta1-4)Glc(alpha1-UDP) (UDP-Lac) and the UDP-trisaccharides Gal(beta1-4)Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc(alpha1-UDP and Gal(beta1-4)Gal(beta1-4)Glc(alpha1-UDP) were formed stereo- and regioselectively. Their chemical structures were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. The synthesis in frozen solution at -5 degrees C instead of 30 degrees C gave significantly higher product yields with respect to the acceptor substrates. This was due to a remarkably higher product stability in the small liquid phase of the frozen reaction mixture. Under optimized conditions, at -5 degrees C and pH 4.5 with 500 mM lactose and 100 mM UDP-GlcNAc, an overall yield of 8.2% (81.8 micromol, 62.8 mg with 100% purity) for Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc(alpha1-UDP) and 3.6% (36.1 micromol, 35 mg with 96% purity) for Gal(beta1-4)Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc(alpha1-UDP) was obtained. UDP-Glc as acceptor gave an overall yield of 5.0% (41.3 micromol, 32.3 mg with 93% purity) for Gal(beta1-4)Glc(alpha1-UDP) and 1.6% (13.0 micromol, 12.2 mg with 95% purity) for Gal(beta1-4)Gal(beta1-4)Glc(alpha1-UDP). The analysis of other nucleotide sugars revealed UDP-Gal, UDP-GalNAc, UDP-Xyl and dTDP-, CDP-, ADP- and GDP-Glc as further acceptor substrates for beta-galactosidase from Bacillus circulans.

UDP-N-Acetyl-alpha-D-glucosamine as acceptor substrate of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase. Enzymatic synthesis of UDP-N-acetyllactosamine

The capacity of UDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-glucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) as an in vitro acceptor substrate for beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase (beta4GalT1, EC 2.4.1.38) from human and bovine milk and for recombinant human beta4GalT1, expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was evaluated. It turned out that each of the enzymes is capable to transfer Gal from UDP-alpha-D-galactose (UDP-Gal) to UDP-GlcNAc, affording Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc(alpha1-UDP (UDP-LacNAc). Using beta4GalT1 from human milk, a preparative enzymatic synthesis of UDP-LacNAc was carried out, and the product was characterized by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Studies with all three beta4GalTs in the presence of alpha-lactalbumin showed that the UDP-LacNAc synthesis is inhibited and that UDP-alpha-D-glucose is not an acceptor substrate. This is the first reported synthesis of a nucleotide-activated disaccharide, employing a Leloir glycosyltransferase with a nucleotide-activated monosaccharide as acceptor substrate. Interestingly, in these studies beta4GalT1 accepts an alpha-glycosidated GlcNAc derivative. The results imply that beta4GalT1 may be responsible for the biosynthesis of UDP-LacNAc, previously isolated from human milk.

Enzymatic synthesis of nucleotide sugars

The present review gives a survey on the biosynthetic pathways of nucleotide sugars which are important for the in vitro synthesis of mammalian glycoconjugates. With respect to the use of these enzymes in glycotechnology the availability as recombinant enzymes from different sources, the large-scale synthesis of nucleotide sugars and their in situ regeneration in combination with glycosyltransferases are summarized and evaluated.

Combined preparative enzymatic synthesis of dTDP-6-deoxy-4-keto-D-glucose from dTDP and sucrose

dTDP-6-deoxy-4-keto-D-glucose (1), the common intermediate in the biosyntheses of the manifold deoxysugars, was synthesized on a gram-scale by the combination of sucrose synthase and dTDP-D-glucose 4,6-dehydratase in a fed batch, starting the reaction with dTDP. This process allowed a dTDP conversion with a 100% rate. An easy and efficient three-step purification with anion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration gave 1.1 g of 1 in an overall yield of 73%. This work realizes a first step for an economic access to activated deoxysugars.

Glycobiotechnology: enzymes for the synthesis of nucleotide sugars

Complex carbohydrates, as constituting part of glycoconjugates such as glycoproteins, glycolipids, hormones, antibiotics and other secondary metabolites, play an active role in inter- and intracellular communication. The aim of "glycobiotechnology" as an upcoming interdisciplinary research field is to develop highly efficient synthesis strategies, including in vivo and in vitro approaches, in order to bring such complex molecules into analytical and therapeutic studies. The enzymatic synthesis of glycosidic bonds by Leloir-glycosyltransferases is an efficient strategy for obtaining saccharides with absolute stereo- and regioselectivity in high yields and under mild conditions. There are, however, two obstacles hindering the realization of this process on a biotechnological scale, namely the production of recombinant Leloir-glycosyltransferases and the availability of enzymes for the synthesis of nucleotide sugars (the glycosyltransferase donor substrates). The present review surveys some synthetic targets which have attracted the interest of glycobiologists as well as recombinant expression systems which give Leloir-glycosyltransferase activities in the mU and U range. The main part summarizes publications concerned with the complex pathways of primary and secondary nucleotide sugars and the availability and use of these enzymes for synthesis applications. In this context, a survey of our work will demonstrate how enzymes from different sources and pathways can be combined for the synthesis of nucleotide deoxysugars and oligosaccharides.

Expression, purification and characterization of recombinant phosphomannomutase and GDP-alpha-D-mannose pyrophosphorylase from Salmonella enterica, group B, for the synthesis of GDP-alpha-D-mannose from D-mannose

The genes rfbK and rfbM from the rfb cluster (O-antigen biosynthesis) of Salmonella enterica, group B, encoding for the enzymes phosphomannomutase (EC 5.4.2.8) and GDP-alpha-D-mannose pyrophosphorylase (EC 2.7.7.13) were overexpressed in E.coli BL21 (DE3) with specific activities of 0.1 U/mg and 0.3-0.6 U/mg, respectively. Both enzymes were partially purified to give specific activities of 0.26 U/mg and 2.75 U/mg, respectively. Kinetic characterization of the homodimeric (108 kDa) GDP-alpha-D-mannose pyrophosphorylase revealed a K(m) for GTP and mannose-1-P of 0.2 mM and 0.01 mM with substrate surplus inhibition constants (Kis) of 10.9 mM and 0.7 mM, respectively. The product GDP-alpha-D-mannose gave a competitive inhibition with respect to GTP (Ki 14.7 microM) and an uncompetitive inhibition with respect to mannose-1-P (Ki 115 microM). Both recombinant enzymes were used for repetitive batch synthesis of GDP-alpha-D-mannose staring from D-mannose and GTP. In three subsequent batches 581 mg (960 mumol) GDP-alpha-D-mannose was synthesized with 80% average yield. The overall yield after product isolation was 22.9% (329 mumol, 199 mg).

One-pot enzymatic synthesis of the Gal alpha 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc sequence with in situ UDP-Gal regeneration

The trisaccharide Gal alpha 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->O-(CH2)8COOCH3 was enzymatically synthesized, with in situ UDP-Gal regeneration. By combination in one pot of only four enzymes, namely, sucrose synthase, UDP-Glc 4'-epimerase, UDP-Gal:GlcNAc beta 4-galactosyltransferase and UDP-Gal:Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc alpha 3-galactosyltransferase, Gal alpha 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->O-(CH2)8COOCH3 was formed in a 2.2 mumol ml-1 yield starting from the acceptor GlcNAc beta 1-->O-(CH2)8COOCH3. This is an efficient and convenient method for the synthesis of the Gal alpha 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc epitope which pays an important role in various biological and immunological processes.

A continuous microtiter plate assay for screening nucleotide sugar-synthesizing nucleotidyltransferases

A continuous microtiter plate nucleotidyltransferase substrate screening assay (NUSSA) is described which allows the identification of nucleotide sugar-synthesizing enzyme activities. The assay is accomplished by the determination of the common product of these enzymes PPi with a PPi-dependent phosphofructokinase. A subsequent enzyme reaction cascade leads to the production of 2 mol NAD per mol PPi. PPi-dependent phosphofructokinase was purified from potato with respect to contaminating enzyme activities which would disturb NUSSA performance. NUSSA allows the quick, simultaneous, and comprehensive check of different sugar 1-phosphate and nucleoside triphosphate substrates using purified pyrophosphorylases or crude extracts of plants, microorganisms, and mammalian tissues. Moreover, NUSSA will assist to evaluate these enzymes for the synthesis of important nucleotide sugars which serve as substrates of glycosyltransferases in carbohydrate syntheses.

Effect of metal ions on sucrose synthase from rice grains--a study on enzyme inhibition and enzyme topography

The inhibition of the plant glycosyltransferase sucrose synthase from rice grains by free metal ions was studied. Decreasing sucrose synthase activities in the order of metal ions (Cu2+ >> Zn2+ > or = Ni2+ > Fe2+; 15.4% residual activity with 30 microM Cu2+) as well as inhibition by diethyl pyrocarbonate (27% residual activity at pH 7.2 and 43 microM diethyl pyrocarbonate) provided evidence that histidyl residues are important for sucrose synthase activity. Chelated metal ions, due to the geometric restriction of the reagent, gave a less pronounced inhibitory effect (11.7% residual activity with 100 microM Cu2+), but suggested that surface-accessible histidine residues are probably involved. Inhibition of sucrose synthase could always be prevented by metal ion scavengers [ethyl-enediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA), dithiothreitol (DTT), mercaptoethanol, reduced glutathione, imidazole and histidine]. Sucrose synthase inhibited by free and chelated Cu2+, respectively, could be partly (60%) reactivated by EDTA. These results led to a topographical analysis of histidines on the surface of the homotetrameric protein by immobilized metal ion chromatography (IMAC). From the order by which sucrose synthase was bound to immobilized chelated metal ions in the presence of 1 mM imidazole (Cu2+ > Ni2+ > Zn2+ = Co2+), it could be concluded that the enzyme has at least 5-7 surface-accessible histidines. Sucrose synthase could not be eluted from a Cu2+ column by an increasing imidazole gradient. These results are of particular interest for the further purification of sucrose synthase(s), as well as for the evaluation of cloning and expression strategies using polyhistidine tails.

Purification of UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase from germinated barley (malt)

UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase was purified from germinated barley (malt) using anion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography followed by preparative gel filtration. Gel filtration and SDS-PAGE revealed a molecular mass of 51 to 54 kDa for the monomeric protein. Microsequencing of the blotted protein by Edman degradation gave 20 N-terminal amino acids. UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase from malt could be markedly stabilized by the addition of bovine serum albumin. The enzyme preparation is free of contaminating nucleoside triphosphatases (UTPases) and can be utilized for the enzymatic synthesis of activated sugars.

Investigation of sucrose synthase from rice for the synthesis of various nucleotide sugars and saccharides

The unique character of the plant glucosyltransferase sucrose synthase, to catalyse in vitro the synthesis and cleavage of sucrose under appropriate conditions, can be exploited for the enzymatic synthesis of carbohydrates. The present paper describes the potential utilization of sucrose synthase from rice for the enzymatic synthesis of activated sugars and saccharides. In the cleavage reaction of sucrose, the nucleoside diphosphates can be used in the order UDP > TDP > ADP > CDP > GDP to obtain the corresponding activated glucoses. In batch reactions, > 90% conversion of UDP and TDP could be achieved. Substituting different di- and trisaccharides for sucrose in the cleavage reaction with UDP 2-deoxysucrose was the most promising substrate. Sucrose synthase was combined with UDP-galactose 4'-epimerase and beta 1-4 galactosyltransferase to synthesize N-acetyllactosamine with in situ regeneration of UDP-glucose. In the synthesis reaction of sucrose synthase, different donor (UDP-sugars) and acceptor substrates were investigated. UDP-N-acetylglucosamine and UDP-xylose could be used in combination with fructose as acceptor. D-Xylulose, D-tagatose, D-lyxose, D-psicose, L-sorbose, D-mannose, L-arabinose, 1,6 anhydroglucose, lactulose, raffinose and isomaltulose can serve as acceptors for UDP-glucose.

Investigation of the UDP-glucose dehydrogenase reaction for a coupled assay of UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase activities

An optimized coupled enzyme assay for UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (EC 2.7.7.9) using UDP-glucose dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.22) is presented. This optimized assay was developed by a detailed investigation of the kinetics of the UDP-glucose dehydrogenase reaction. In addition the data provide a basis for the enzymatic synthesis of UDP-glucuronic acid. The results demonstrate that the two binding sites of the dehydrogenase differ since a different modulation of the enzyme activity and stability is observed after preincubation with UDP-glucose or NAD+ at various pH values. This is of general interest for the preparation of assay mixtures where UDP-glucose dehydrogenase is used as an auxiliary enzyme.

Immunoaffinity partitioning: synthesis and use of polyethylene glycol-oxirane for coupling to bovine serum albumin and monoclonal antibodies

Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-oxirane was synthesized by reacting aminated monomethoxy-PEG 5000 (NH2-MPEG 5000) with butanediol diglycidyl ether and used to derivatize bovine serum albumin (BSA) and monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and porcine lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 5, respectively. Determination of oxirane end groups revealed a very high number, which arise from the chain breaks of the polymer. Covalent coupling of PEG-oxirane to BSA resulted in 30-50 times higher partition coefficients under optimized conditions. The mAb investigated could be modified with PEG-oxirane while retaining its binding properties and could be used as an affinity ligand for selective extraction of Ag in immunoaffinity partitioning. However, a high degree of modification results in a lower binding constant of mAb anti-HRP and higher [mAb]/[Ag] concentration ratios in immunoaffinity partition experiments.

Partition of free and monoclonal-antibody-bound horseradish peroxidase in a two-phase aqueous polymer system--novel procedure for the determination of the apparent binding constant of monoclonal antibody to horseradish peroxidase

The principle that the antigen and the antibody prefer different phases in an aqueous two-phase system is the analytical basis of the work presented here. The antigen horseradish peroxidase, which is bound to a monoclonal antibody (mAb), is separated from free Ag in an aqueous phase system (polyethylene glycol (PEG)/dextran) as a function of the concentration of mAb. The plot of the partition coefficient kappa of horseradish peroxidase versus the concentration of mAb yields a sigmoidal curve similar to the curve obtained by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Comparing the plots normally used for ELISA in order to determine the apparent binding constant of mAb and the number of epitopes on the Ag we derived a relationship between the difference in partitioning of the free Ag and the bound Ag (delta kappa) and the concentration of mAb. The new linear plot of reciprocal delta kappa versus reciprocal concentration of mAb gives the apparent binding constant of mAb, which is evaluated from the slope. From the intercept at the ordinate the maximum difference of the partition coefficient of the free and bound antigen is derived and the apparent partition coefficient of the free monoclonal antibody can be calculated.

The esterase profile of a lipase from Candida cylindracea

A commercial preparation of a lipase produced by Candida cylindracea catalysed the hydrolysis of both long- and short-chain esters of p-nitrophenol. Six major bands of hydrolytic activity to alpha-naphthyl acetate were detected on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and two on isoelectric focusing. The esterase activity fractionated into two major peaks of activity on ion-exchange chromatography and into several peaks of activity on hydrophobic interaction chromatography. These esterase activities showed different substrate specificities to p-nitrophenyl esters, tributyrin and cetyl palmitate.