Carbohydrate Acceptors Research Articles

Combination of 3-O-Levulinoyl and 6-O-Trifluorobenzoyl Groups Ensures α-Selectivity in Glucosylations: Synthesis of the Oligosaccharides Related to Aspergillus fumigatus α-(1 → 3)-d-Glucan.

Stereospecific α-glucosylation of primary and secondary OH-group at carbohydrate acceptors is achieved using glucosyl N-phenyl-trifluoroacetimidate (PTFAI) donor protected with an electron-withdrawing 2,4,5-trifluorobenzoyl (TFB) group at O-6 and the participating levulinoyl (Lev) group at O-3. New factors have been revealed that might explain α-stereoselectivity in the case of TFB and pentafluorobenzoyl (PFB) groups at O-6. They are of conformational nature and confirmed by DFT calculations. The potential of this donor, as well as the orthogonality of TFB and Lev protecting groups, is showcased by the synthesis of α-(1 → 3)-linked pentaglucoside corresponding to Aspergillus fumigatus α-(1 → 3)-d-glucan and of its hexasaccharide derivative, bearing β-glucosamine residue at the non-reducing end.

Mapping the effect of configuration and protecting group pattern on glycosyl acceptor reactivity.

The reactivity of the acceptor alcohol can have a tremendous influence on the outcome of a glycosylation reaction, both in terms of yield and stereoselectivity. Through a systematic survey of 67 acceptor alcohols in glycosylation reactions with two glucosyl donors we here reveal how the reactivity of a carbohydrate acceptor depends on its configuration and substitution pattern. The study shows how the functional groups flanking the acceptor alcohol influence the reactivity of the alcohol and show that both the nature and relative orientation play an essential role. The empiric acceptor reactivity guidelines revealed here will aid in the rational optimization of glycosylation reactions and be an important tool in the assembly of oligosaccharides.

Development of α-Selective Glycosylation for the Synthesis of Deoxyfluorinated TN Antigen Analogues.

The Tn antigen (GalNAcα1-Thr/Ser) is abundantly expressed in many tumors but rarely found in healthy tissues, which makes it an attractive epitope for antitumor immunotherapy. The use of the Tn antigen in the development of therapeutic antitumor vaccines is hampered by its low immunogenicity, which may be enhanced by deoxyfluorination of the GalNAc moiety. Here, we report the synthesis of protected 3- and 4-fluoro analogues of the threonine-containing Tn antigen. As the stereoselective synthesis of α-linked fluorinated GalNAc is difficult, we prepared a panel of C3 and C4 deoxyfluorinated galactosazide thiodonors and evaluated their stereoselectivity in the glycosylation of carbohydrate acceptors and threonine derivatives. Glycosylation of threonine derivatives with O-benzylated C4 fluoro donors gave only modest but usable α-selectivity of α/β = 2.5-3/1. The use of acyl and silyl protection at the 3- and 6-positions of the C4 fluoro donors did not enhance the selectivity. Installing a 4,6-di-tert-butylsilylene-protecting group in C3 fluoro donors resulted in exclusive α-selectivity and reaffirmed the strong α-directing effect of this protective group in glycosylation with galacto-configured glycosyl donors.

Anomeric Selectivity of Trehalose Transferase with Rare l-Sugars.

Retaining LeLoir glycosyltransferases catalyze the formation of glycosidic bonds between nucleotide sugar donors and carbohydrate acceptors. The anomeric selectivity of trehalose transferase from Thermoproteus uzoniensis was investigated for both d- and l-glycopyranose acceptors. The enzyme couples a wide range of carbohydrates, yielding trehalose analogues with conversion and enantioselectivity of >98%. The anomeric selectivity inverts from α,α-(1 → 1)-glycosidic bonds for d-glycopyranose acceptors to α,β-(1 → 1)-glycosidic bonds for l-glycopyranose acceptors, while (S)-selectivity was retained for both types of sugar acceptors. Comparison of protein crystal structures of trehalose transferase in complex with α,α-trehalose and an unnatural α,β-trehalose analogue highlighted the mechanistic rationale for the observed inversion of anomeric selectivity.

Rapid Assembly of Oligosaccharides by Using a Hydrophobic Tag-Assisted Liquid-Phase Method

A 3,5-didocosyloxybenzyl alcohol tag that was introduced at the anomeric position of the carbohydrate acceptor was applied in the assembly of a pentasaccharide. The intrinsic high solubility in nonpolar solvent and precipitation properties in polar solvent are crucial features of this tag. Thus, rapid and simple precipitation-centrifugation can be conducted throughout the synthetic route at each step to ease work-up and purification processes, and reduce the amount of solvent required. This method provides an efficient, environmental-friendly, and economical approach to synthesize complex oligosaccharides.

Glycosylation on Unprotected or Partially Protected Acceptors

Over the last 30 years, there have been several methods developed for the synthesis of oligosaccharides, such as combinatorial synthesis, programmable one‐pot glycosylations, pre‐activation‐based chemo‐selective glycosylation strategy, random glycosylation, chemo‐enzymatic processes, and automated platforms. Distinguishing hydroxyl groups in carbohydrate monomers form the crux of oligosaccharides synthesis. The protection of hydroxyl groups stops glycosylation at undesired positions on carbohydrates, but additional steps are required to install and remove the protecting groups. The targeted functionalization of carbohydrates relies mostly on the protection of hydroxyl groups that are not supposed to undergo glycosylation and to leave the hydroxyl group unprotected where the glycosylation should occur. Numerous procedures to avoid or decrease protecting group manipulations have been developed for the synthesis of a single or an oligosaccharide library, such as glycosylation on unprotected or partially protected acceptors, and random glycosylation on unprotected acceptors. In this review, overall approaches for glycosylation on unprotected or partially protected acceptors in the synthesis of oligosaccharides and oligosaccharide libraries are summarized, the glycosylation on unprotected or partially protected carbohydrate acceptors with or without tin or boron mediation, and random glycosylation on unprotected or partially protected acceptors in solution phase or on solid phase are discussed.

Use of remote acyl groups for stereoselective 1,2-cis-glycosylation with fluorinated glucosazide thiodonors.

Fluorinated glycans are valuable probes for studying carbohydrate-protein interactions at the atomic level. Glucosamine is a ubiquitous component of glycans, and the stereoselective synthesis of α-linked fluorinated glucosamine is a challenge associated with the chemical synthesis of fluorinated glycans. We found that introducing a 6-O-acyl protecting group onto 3-fluoro and 4-fluoro glucosazide thiodonors endowed them with moderate α-selectivity in the glycosylation of carbohydrate acceptors, which was further improved by adjusting the acceptor reactivity via O-benzoylation. Excellent stereoselectivity was achieved for 3,6-di-O-acyl-4-fluoro analogues. The glycosylation of threonine-derived acceptors enabled the stereoselective synthesis of the protected fluorinated analogue of α-GlcNAc-O-Thr, a moiety abundant in cell-surface O-glycans of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. DFT calculations supported the involvement of transient cationic species which resulted from the stabilization of the oxocarbenium ion through O-6 acyl group participation.

Stereoselectivity in Glycosylation with Deoxofluorinated Glucosazide and Galactosazide Thiodonors.

Control of anomeric stereoselectivity in glycosylation with deoxofluorinated glycosyl donors is critical for assembly of fluorinated oligosaccharides. Here, we report the synthesis of benzylated 3-fluoro and 4-fluoro analogues of phenyl 1-thioglucosazide and galactosazide donors and evaluation of their stereoselectivity in glycosylation of a series of model carbohydrate acceptors using the Tf2O/Ph2SO promoter system. Low-temperature NMR revealed formation of covalent α-triflate and both anomers of oxosulfonium triflates under selected glycosylation conditions. This study demonstrates how the stereoselectivity depends on acceptor reactivity and glycosyl donor configuration. Reactive acceptors favor formation of 1,2- trans-β-glycosides with both d- gluco and d- galacto donors, whereas poorly reactive acceptors favor formation of 1,2- cis-α-glycosides with d- galacto donors but are unselective with d- gluco donors.

Investigation of the H-bond-mediated aglycone delivery reaction in application to the synthesis of β-glucosides

In an attempt to refine the H-bond-mediated Aglycone Delivery (HAD) glycosylation reaction reported herein is the synthesis of β-glucosides using an ethylthio glucoside donor equipped with the remote 6-O-picoloyl substituent. Upon examining various aliphatic, aromatic, and carbohydrate acceptors, it was determined that both electronic and steric factors may greatly affect the stereoselectivity of the HAD reaction with this donor.

Stereodirecting Effect of C5-Carboxylate Substituents on the Glycosylation Stereochemistry of 3-Deoxy-d- manno-oct-2-ulosonic Acid (Kdo) Thioglycoside Donors: Stereoselective Synthesis of α- and β-Kdo Glycosides.

The stereodirecting effect of C5-ester functions on the glycosylation stereoselectivity of 3-deoxy-d- manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo) ethyl thioglycoside donors is presented. The coupling of 5- O-arylcarbonyl or acetyl protected Kdo thioglycosides with acceptors proceeds in an α-selective and high-yielding manner, leading to formation of α-linked Kdo glycosides products. On the other hand, the glycosylation stereoselectivity of the 5- O-2-quinolinecarbonyl (Quin) or 4-nitropicoloyl substituted Kdo thioglycoside donors is switchable: (1) The glycosylation of the 5- O-Quin carrying Kdo donors with primary glycosyl acceptors shows complete β-stereoselectivity, furnishing the corresponding β-glycosides in good-to-excellent yield. (2) The stereochemical outcome of the secondary acceptors with these Kdo donors is determined mainly by the stereoelectronic nature of the acceptor. Only or predominant α anomeric products are obtained when the Kdo donors couple with the disarmed or highly crowded secondary carbohydrate acceptors, while the selectivity may switch to predominant β in the glycosylation of the 5- O-4-nitropicoloyl carrying donor with more reactive secondary alcohols. The synthetic use of the newly developed Kdo donors 1c and 7b has been demonstrated by facile preparation of a structurally unique trisaccharide motif 19 which possesses both α- and β-Kdo glycosidic bonds.

Stereoselectivity of Conformationally Restricted Glucosazide Donors.

Glycosylations of 4,6-tethered glucosazide donors with a panel of model acceptors revealed the effect of acceptor nucleophilicity on the stereoselectivity of these donors. The differences in reactivity among the donors were evaluated in competitive glycosylation reactions, and their relative reactivities were found to be reflected in the stereoselectivity in glycosylations with a set of fluorinated alcohols as well as carbohydrate acceptors. We found that the 2-azido-2-deoxy moiety is more β-directing than its C-2-O-benzyl counterpart, as a consequence of increased destabilization of anomeric charge development by the electron-withdrawing azide. Additional disarming groups further decreased the α-selectivity of the studied donors, whereas substitution of the 4,6-benzylidene acetal with a 4,6-di-tert-butyl silylidene led to a slight increase in α-selectivity. The C-2-dinitropyridone group was also explored as an alternative for the nonparticipating azide group, but this protecting group significantly increased β-selectivity. All studied donors exhibited the same acceptor-dependent selectivity trend, and good α-selectivity could be obtained with the weakest acceptors and most reactive donors.

Development and Validation of a Universal High-Throughput UDP-Glycosyltransferase Assay with a Time-Resolved FRET Signal

Glycosyltransferase enzymes play diverse metabolic and regulatory roles by catalyzing the transfer of sugar molecules to protein, lipid, and carbohydrate acceptors, and they are increasingly of interest as therapeutic targets in a number of diseases, including metabolic disorders, cancer, and infectious diseases. The glycosyltransferases are a challenging target class from an assay development perspective because of the diversity of both donor and acceptor substrates and the lack of suitable glycan detection methods. However, many glycosyltransferases use uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP) sugars as donor substrates, and detection of the free UDP reaction product provides a generic approach for measuring the activity of those enzymes. To exploit this approach for a broadly applicable high-throughput screening (HTS) assay for discovery of glycosyltransferase inhibitors, we developed a Transcreener(®) assay for immunodetection of UDP with a time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) signal. We optimized the assay for detection of glycosyltransferase activity with nucleotide diphosphate (NDP) sugars at concentrations from 10 μM to 1 mM, achieving Z' values of 0.6 or higher. The assay was validated by orthogonal pooled screening with 8,000 compounds using polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase T3 as the target, and the hits were confirmed using an orthogonal readout. The reagents and signal were both stable for more than 8 h at room temperature, insuring robust performance in automated HTS environments. The TR-FRET-based UDP detection assay provides a broadly applicable approach for screening glycosyltransferases that use a UDP-sugar donor.

Two N-terminally truncated variants of human β-galactoside α2,6 sialyltransferase I with distinct properties for invitro protein glycosylation.

Sialic acid groups of protein N-glycans are important determinants of biological activity. Exposed at the end of the glycan chain, they are potential targets for glycan remodeling. Sialyltransferases (STs; EC 2.4.99) are the enzymes that catalyze the sialic acid transfer from a CMP-activated donor on to a carbohydrate acceptor in vivo. Recombinant expression of the full-length human β-galactoside α2,6 sialyltransferase I (ST6Gal-I) was hampered and therefore variants with truncated N-termini were investigated. We report on the distinct properties of two N-terminally truncated versions of ST6Gal-I, namely Δ89ST6Gal-I and Δ108ST6Gal-I, which were successfully expressed in human embryonic kidney cells. The different properties of these enzymes result most probably from the loss of interactions from helix α1 in the Δ108ST6Gal-I variant, which plays a role in acceptor substrate binding. The Km for N-acetyl-d-lactosamine was 10-fold increased for Δ108ST6Gal-I (84 mM) as compared to Δ89ST6Gal-I (8.3 mM). The two enzyme variants constitute a suitable tool box for the terminal modification of N-glycans. While the enzyme Δ89ST6Gal-I exhibited both ST (di-sialylation) and sialidase activity on a monoclonal antibody, the enzyme Δ108ST6Gal-I showed only ST activity with specificity for mono-sialylation.

ChemInform Abstract: The Isothiocyanato Moiety: An Ideal Protecting Group for the Stereoselective Synthesis of Sialic Acid Glycosides and Subsequent Diversification.

The preparation of a crystalline, peracetyl adamantanyl thiosialoside donor protected by an isothiocyanate group is described. On activation at -78 C in the presence of typical carbohydrate acceptors this donor gives high yields of the corresponding sialosides with exquisite α-selectivity. The high selectivity extends to the 4-O-benzyl-protected 3-OH acceptors that are typically less reactive and selective than galactose 3,4-diols. Treatment of the α-sialosides with tris(trimethylsilyl)silane or allyltris(trimethylsilyl)silane sialosides replaces the C5-N5 bond by a C-H or a C-C bond. Reaction of the isothiocyanate-protected sialosides with thioacids achieves conversion into amides. Reaction of the isothiocyanate with an amine gives a thiourea, which can be converted to a guanidine. The very high α-selectivities observed with the new donor and the rich chemistry of the isothiocyante function considerably extend the scope for optimization at the sialoside 5-position.

The Isothiocyanato Moiety: An Ideal Protecting Group for the Stereoselective Synthesis of Sialic Acid Glycosides and Subsequent Diversification

AbstractThe preparation of a crystalline, peracetyl adamantanyl thiosialoside donor protected by an isothiocyanate group is described. On activation at −78 °C in the presence of typical carbohydrate acceptors, this donor gives high yields of the corresponding sialosides with exquisite α‐selectivity. The high selectivity extends to the 4‐O‐benzyl‐protected 3‐OH acceptors, which are typically less reactive and selective than galactose 3,4‐diols. Treatment of the α‐sialosides with tris(trimethylsilyl)silane or allyltris(trimethylsilyl)silane results in replacement of the C5N5 bond by a CH or a CC bond. The reaction of the isothiocyanate‐protected sialosides with thioacids generates amides, while reaction with an amine gives a thiourea, which can be converted into a guanidine. The very high α‐selectivities observed with the new donor and the rich chemistry of the isothiocyante function considerably extend the scope for optimization at the sialoside 5‐position.

The isothiocyanato moiety: an ideal protecting group for the stereoselective synthesis of sialic acid glycosides and subsequent diversification.

The preparation of a crystalline, peracetyl adamantanyl thiosialoside donor protected by an isothiocyanate group is described. On activation at -78 °C in the presence of typical carbohydrate acceptors, this donor gives high yields of the corresponding sialosides with exquisite α-selectivity. The high selectivity extends to the 4-O-benzyl-protected 3-OH acceptors, which are typically less reactive and selective than galactose 3,4-diols. Treatment of the α-sialosides with tris(trimethylsilyl)silane or allyltris(trimethylsilyl)silane results in replacement of the C5-N5 bond by a C-H or a C-C bond. The reaction of the isothiocyanate-protected sialosides with thioacids generates amides, while reaction with an amine gives a thiourea, which can be converted into a guanidine. The very high α-selectivities observed with the new donor and the rich chemistry of the isothiocyante function considerably extend the scope for optimization at the sialoside 5-position.

One Pot Enzymatic Production of Nigerose from Common Sugar Resources Employing Nigerose Phosphorylase

One-pot enzymatic production of nigerose was demonstrated from abundantly available sugar resources, including maltose, cellobiose, sucrose and starch. (i) 319 mM nigerose was generated from 500 mM maltose by the combined actions of maltose phosphorylase and nigerose phosphorylase, which share the same β-D-glucose 1-phosphate, in the presence of phosphate. The yield was 62% based on the concentration of maltose as the starting material. (ii) 129 mM nigerose was produced from 250 mM cellobiose by cellobiose phosphorylase and nigerose phosphorylase in the presence of phosphate, in combination with the enzymatic pathway to convert α-D-glucose 1-phosphate to β-D-glucose 1-phosphate via D-glucose 6-phosphate by the combined actions of α-phosphoglucomutase and β-phosphoglucomutase, resulting in a yield of 52%. (iii) 350 mM nigerose was produced from 500 mM sucrose by substituting cellobiose phosphorylase with sucrose phosphorylase and adding xylose isomerase, giving a yield of 67%. (iv) 270 mM nigerose was generated from 100 mg/mL starch and 500 mM D-glucose by the concomitant actions of glycogen phosphorylase, isoamylase, α-phosphoglucomutase, β-phosphoglucomutase and nigerose phosphorylase, in the presence of phosphate. In addition, 280 mM 3-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-D-galactose was produced by substituting D-glucose with D-galactose. Based on the concentrations of D-glucose and D-galactose as the starting materials, the yields were calculated to be 52 and 56%, respectively. These one-pot enzymatic approaches can be extended to include practical production of a variety of oligosaccharides by substituting nigerose phosphorylase with other β-D-glucose 1-phosphate-forming phosphorylases together with various carbohydrate acceptors.

ChemInform Abstract: Recent Development of Phosphorylases Possessing Large Potential for Oligosaccharide Synthesis

AbstractReview: 66 refs.

Recent development of phosphorylases possessing large potential for oligosaccharide synthesis

Phosphorylases are one group of carbohydrate active enzymes involved in the cleavage and formation of glycosidic linkages together with glycoside hydrolases and sugar nucleotide-dependent glycosyltransferases. Noticeably, the catalyzed phosphorolysis is reversible, making phosphorylases suitable catalysts for efficient synthesis of particular oligosaccharides from a donor sugar 1-phosphate and suitable carbohydrate acceptors with strict regioselectivity. Although utilization of phosphorylases for oligosaccharide synthesis has been limited because only few different enzymes are known, recently the number of reported phosphorylases has gradually increased, providing the variation making these enzymes useful tools for efficient synthesis of diverse oligosaccharides.

Metabolic Inhibition of Sialyl-Lewis X Biosynthesis by 5-Thiofucose Remodels the Cell Surface and Impairs Selectin-Mediated Cell Adhesion

Sialyl-Lewis X (sLe(X)) is a tetrasaccharide that serves as a ligand for the set of cell adhesion proteins known as selectins. This interaction enables adhesion of leukocytes and cancer cells to endothelial cells within capillaries, resulting in their extravasation into tissues. The last step in sLe(X) biosynthesis is the α1,3-fucosyltrasferase (FUT)-catalyzed transfer of an L-fucose residue to carbohydrate acceptors. Impairing FUT activity compromises leukocyte homing to sites of inflammation and renders cancer cells less malignant. Inhibition of FUTs is, consequently, of great interest, but efforts to generate glycosyltransferase inhibitors, including FUT inhibitors, has proven challenging. Here we describe a metabolic engineering strategy to inhibit the biosynthesis of sLe(X) in cancer cells using peracetylated 5-thio-L-fucose (5T-Fuc). We show that 5T-Fuc is taken up by cancer cells and then converted into a sugar nucleotide analog, GDP-5T-Fuc, that blocks FUT activity and limits sLe(X) presentation on HepG2 cells with an EC(50) in the low micromolar range. GDP-5T-Fuc itself does not get transferred by either FUT3 or FUT7 at a measurable rate. We further demonstrate that treatment of cells with 5T-Fuc impaired their adhesive properties to immobilized adhesion molecules and human endothelial cells. 5T-Fuc, therefore, is a useful probe that can be used to modulate sLe(X) levels in cells to evaluate the consequences of inhibiting FUT-mediated sLe(X) formation. These data also reveal the utility of using sugar analogues that lead to formation of donor substrate analogues within cells as a general approach to blocking glycosyltransferases in cells.