Abstract
The first synthesis of carbasugars, compounds in which the ring oxygen of a monosaccharide had been replaced by a methylene moiety, was described in 1966 by Professor G. E. McCasland’s group. Seven years later, the first true natural carbasugar (5a-carba-R-D-galactopyranose) was isolated from a fermentation broth ofStreptomycessp. MA-4145. In the following decades, the chemistry and biology of carbasugars have been extensively studied. Most of these compounds show interesting biological properties, especially enzymatic inhibitory activities, and, in consequence, an important number of analogues have also been prepared in the search for improved biological activities. The aim of this review is to give coverage on the progress made in two important aspects of these compounds: the elucidation of their biosynthesis and the consideration of their biological properties, including the extensively studied carbapyranoses as well as the much less studied carbafuranoses.
Highlights
In addition to their well-known role as chemical units for (a) release of energy such as sucrose or glucose, (b) energy storage such as starch, and (c) key component of the cell wall of green plants such as cellulose, carbohydrates are key elements in a variety of biological processes
Carbohydrates constitute a very useful source of enantiomerically pure starting materials. They have been used for the synthesis of a wide range of compounds and have been found to be useful chiral auxiliaries which allowed the introduction of a range of functionalities in a highly enantioselective manner [38, 39]
As we have previously indicated, the validamycin A fermentation produces a number of minor components
Summary
In addition to their well-known role as chemical units for (a) release of energy such as sucrose or glucose, (b) energy storage such as starch, and (c) key component of the cell wall of green plants such as cellulose, carbohydrates are key elements in a variety of biological processes. Many biological processes involve carbohydrates and, in consequence, structural changes, absence, deficiency, or excess of some carbohydrates are strongly related to many diseases In this context, it should be pointed out that synthetic-carbohydrate vaccines show potential advantages over those based on carbohydrates from natural sources. Carbohydrates constitute a very useful source of enantiomerically pure starting materials They have been used for the synthesis of a wide range of compounds and have been found to be useful chiral auxiliaries which allowed the introduction of a range of functionalities in a highly enantioselective manner [38, 39]. The aim of this review is to give coverage on the progress made in the biosynthesis and biological activity of carbasugars until March 2016, including both carbapyranoses and carbafuranoses
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
