Physicochemical characterization of natural-like branched-chain glycosides toward formation of hexosomes and vesicles

Synthetic branched-chain glycolipids have become of great interest in biomimicking research, since they provide a suitable alternative for natural glycolipids, which are difficult to extract from natural resources. Therefore, branched-chain glycolipids obtained by direct syntheses are of utmost interest. In this work, two new branched-chain glycolipids are presented, namely, 2-hexyldecyl β(α)-D-glucoside (2-HDG) and 2-hexyldecyl β(α)-D-maltoside (2-HDM) based on glucose and maltose, respectively. The self-assembly properties of these glycolipids have been studied, observing the phase behavior under thermotropic and lyotropic conditions. Due to their amphiphilic characteristics, 2-HDG and 2-HDM possess rich phase behavior in dry form and in aqueous dispersions. In the thermotropic study, 2-HDG formed a columnar hexagonal liquid crystalline phase, whereas in a binary aqueous system, 2-HDG formed an inverted hexagonal liquid crystalline phase in equilibrium with excess aqueous solution. Furthermore, aqueous dispersions of the hexagonal liquid crystal could be obtained, dispersions known as hexosomes. On the other hand, 2-HDM formed a lamellar liquid crystalline phase (smectic A) in thermotropic conditions, whereas multilamellar vesicles have been observed in equilibrium with aqueous media. Surprisingly, 2-HDM mixed with sodium dodecyl sulfate or aerosol OT induced the formation of more stable unilamellar vesicles. Thus, the branched-chain glycolipids 2-HDG and 2-HDM not only provided alternative nonionic surfactants with rich phase behavior and versatile nanostructures, but also could be used as new drug carrier systems in the future.     

Zwitterionic Character and Lipid Composition Determine the Behaviour of Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Fragments in Monolayers

Glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) are complex glycolipids found in free form or anchoring proteins to the outer leaflet of the cell membrane in eukaryotes. GPIs have been associated with the formation of lipid rafts and protein sorting on membranes. The presence of a conserved glycan core with cell-specific modifications together with lipid remodelling during biosynthesis suggest that the properties of the glycolipids are being fine-tuned. We synthesized a series of GPI fragments and evaluated the interactions and arrangement of these glycolipids in monolayers as a 2-D membrane model. GIXD and IRRAS analyses showed the need of N-acetylglucosamine deacetylation for the formation of hydrogen bonds to obtain highly structured domains in the monolayers and an effect of the unsaturated lipids in formation and localization of the glycolipids within or between membrane microdomains. These results contribute to understand the role of these glycolipids and their modifications in the organization of membranes.     

Synthesis and characterization of oligomaltose-grafted lipids with application to liposomes

Novel glycolipids, which contain 2 and 15 oligomaltose units and a phosphatidylethanolamine, were synthesized and characterized by FTIR and (1)H-NMR spectroscopies. The well-defined linear structure of the glycolipids was assured by an end-point conjugation strategy using selective oxidation of the reducing end groups of maltose oligosaccharides, followed by aminolysis with distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine. The intermediate acids react selectively with amines to form amide linkages, catalyzed by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride and N-hydroxysuccinimide. Conformations of the glycolipids at the air-water interface were proposed based on the film balance measurements. The unique conformations of glycolipids at interfaces may offer advantages over traditional PEO-derived lipids in regard to their applications for sterically stabilizing liposomes. The glycolipids demonstrated the ability for sterically stabilizing liposome dispersions, as determined by turbidity measurements.     

Rapid analysis of long‐chain glycolipids in heterocystous cyanobacteria using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Under nitrogen‐depleted conditions, N₂‐fixing cyanobacteria of the order Nostocales and Stigonematales differentiate vegetative cells into heterocysts. The cell envelope of these specialized cells contains unique glycolipids, consisting of a sugar moiety glycosidically bound to long‐chain diols, triols and hydroxyketones. Only few reports have been published on these glycolipids in cultured cyanobacteria and none has reported them in natural environments. Here we show that heterocyst glycolipids can be rapidly and sensitively analyzed using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI‐MS²). Positive ion mass spectra of the glycolipids consisted of protonated molecules and diagnostic product ions, indicating losses of sugar groups as well as hydroxyl and carbonyl functionalities from an alkyl chain. Using this method, heterocyst glycolipids were for the first time identified in a natural ecosystem, i.e., a microbial mat from the North Sea barrier island Schiermonnikoog, The Netherlands. This technique will facilitate the quick screening of cyanobacterial cultures and natural environments for the presence of heterocyst glycolipids, which may aid in assessing the role of heterocystous cyanobacteria in the global nitrogen cycle. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Communication: Synthesis of Me α-L-Rhap-(1↠3)-2-O-Me-α-L-Rhap And Me 2,3,4-Tri-O-Me-α-L-Fucp-(1↠3)-α-L-Rhap-(1↠3)-2-O-Me-α-L-Rhap : Oligosaccha-Ride Segments of Phenolic Glycolipids in Mycobacterium Bovis Bcg and Tuberculosis Strain Canetti

The revived interest in phenolic glycolipids of pathogenic mycobacteria is evoked by a widespread^1-3 use of Mycobacterium (M.) leprae specific antigen for serodiagnosis of leprosy patients. As a consequence, a few phenolic glycolipids of other mycobacterias were isolated and structurally elucidated. Recently Vercellone and Puzo⁴ reported the isolation of new phenolic glycolipids not yet described in M. bovis BCG. The combination of sugars in one of the glycolipids was identified as 3-O-(α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-2-O-methyl-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (1) which is closely related to the trisaccharide segment (2) of M. tuberculosis strain Canetti.⁵ The latter contains 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-L-fucopyranosyl monosaccharide α-linked to 3′ position of 1. It has been emphasised that new found glycolipids of M. bovis BCG could share common epitopes with those of M. tuberculosis, thus leading to false positive immunoabsorbent assay tests during screening of tuberculosis patients. In addition, there is concern regarding the involvement of one of the new found glycolipids in the stimulation of T suppressor cells, thus adding to the conflicting results noted in the protection of M. tuberculosis by M. bovis BCG. In essence the new found phenolic glycolipids of M. bovis BCG are associated with interesting but unclear biological profiles. We now report the synthesis of these closely related oligosaccharides, 1 (R = Me) and 2 (R = Me).     

Glycolipids of the woody verdure ofLarix sibirica

The compositions of the glycolipids of the main fractions of the woody verdure of the Siberian larch — needles and shoots — have been studied. The dynamics of the amounts of individual glycolipids in the course of vegetation have been established. The qualitative and quantitativae compositions of the fatty acids of the total glycolipids of the needles and shoots have been determined.Siberian Technological Institute, 660049, Krasnoyarsk, Prospekt Mira, 82. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 183–187, March–April, 1994.     

Mass spectrometric analysis of ceramide composition in mono-, di-, tri-, and tetraglycosylceramides from mouse kidney: an experimental model for uropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Many bacteria have been shown to bind to the carbohydrate part of glycosphingolipids, but also the lipid moieties of receptor-active glycolipids are of importance. To investigate the chemistry of the ceramides of kidney glycolipids to which the uropathogenic Escherichia coli bind, different mass spectrometric techniques were utilized. First, a mixture of glycolipids isolated from man and mice kidney was separated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and scanned by direct desorption from the plate by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (TLC/FAB-MS). Second, the glycolipids were purified by preparative TLC and analyzed by negative-ion FAB-MS. After methylation, further analyses were made with positive-ion FAB-MS, positive-ion electron ionization (EI)-MS, high-temperature capillary gas chromatography (GC/EI-MS) and positive-ion matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-MS. The ceramide compositions of the four glycolipids were determined using all these MS techniques and the reliability of the different methods for this type of analyses is discussed. Comparison of the mouse kidney glycolipids with the corresponding glycolipids from human kidney showed the same degree of hydroxylation of ceramides among mono- and disaccharide glycolipids, but a significantly higher degree of hydroxylation among mouse kidney glycolipids with three and four sugar residues. This result might be of relevance for the binding of P-fimbriated E. coli to the urinary tract tissues.     

Polar lipids of cotton seeds and the products of their processing

The compositions and amounts of polar lipids in cotton seeds and the products of their processing have been investigated. Six glycolipids have been identified, the main ones being monogalactosyldiglyceride (MGDGs), digalactosyldiglycerides (DGDGs), and sterol glycosides. The fatty acid compositions of the neutral lipids and of the phospho- and glycolipids have been determined. In the glycolipids, saturated fatty acids — palmitic and stearic — predominated.Institute of Chemistry of Plant Substances, Uzbekistan Republic Academy of Sciences, Tashkent. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 194–198, March–April, 1993.     

Glycolipids from Leaves of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eminium Lehmanii</Emphasis>

The quantitative composition of glycolipids from leaves of Eminium Lehmanii (Araceae) was established. It was shown that the predominant glycolipids were monogalactosyldiglycerides and digalactosyldiglycerides. The fatty-acid compositions of six glycolipids, of which digalactosyldiglycerides and sterylglycoside esters contained greater than 70% linoleic acid, were determined by GC. The main carbohydrate component of the leaf glycolipids was galactose. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 409–410, September–October, 2005.     

Fluorous tag method for the simultaneous synthesis of different kinds of glycolipids

A mixture of saccharide primers with partially fluorinated tails, 2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl 4′-O-(β-d-galactopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (Lac H2F8) and 6-(perfluorohexyl)hexyl 2′-acetamido-2′-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranoside (GN H6H6), were introduced to animal cells. The oligosaccharide of Lac H2F8 was elongated by cellular enzymes and gave a GM3-type oligosaccharide. On the other hand, GN H6F6 was galactosylated to afford a lactosamine derivative that was further sialylated. This research confirmed that simultaneous glycosylation processes took place for Lac H2F8 and GN H6F6 primers and that the presence of one did not prevent the glycosylation of the other from proceeding. Each primer was recognized independently and elongated sequentially by cellular enzymes. Significantly, the synthesis of glycolipids from a mixture of these artificial scaffolds did not prevent the synthesis of glycolipids from the natural precursor. The glycosyl transferases recognized both precursors resulting to simultaneous synthesis of glycolipids.     

Glycolipids of the woody verdure ofLarix sibirica

The compositions of the glycolipids of the main fractions of the woody verdure of the Siberian larch — needles and shoots — have been studied. The dynamics of the amounts of individual glycolipids in the course of vegetation have been established. The qualitative and quantitativae compositions of the fatty acids of the total glycolipids of the needles and shoots have been determined.     

Lipids ofViburnum opulus seeds

Lipid components of the seeds ofViburnum opulus (Caprifoliaceae family) were investigated. The neutral lipids consist of eight classes, the glycolipids consist of three classes, and the phospholipids contain seven classes. The fatty-acid contents of all of the acyl-containing lipids were determined. The 18∶2 fatty acid is the main component of all the lipid fractions. The content of saturated acids is greater in the glycolipids and phospholipids. The lipophilic components, higher fatty alcohols and sterols, were identified.     

Glycolipids and phospholipids of the fruit ofElaeagnus angustifolia

The glycolipids and phospholipids of the fruit of Russian olive have been studied. The seeds yielded nine glycolipids and seven phospholipid components, and the pericarp eight glycolipids and three phospholipid components. Their fatty-acid compositions have been determined.Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 646–651, September–October, 1993.     

Threshold effects on the lectin-mediated aggregation of synthetic glycolipid-containing liposomes

Cholesterol analogs containing sugar residues linked by spacer groups to the cholesterol O can be incorporated into egg yolk lecithin small unilamellar liposomes. The synthetic glycolipid analogs distribute evenly on both sides of the bilayer. These liposomes are aggregated by the appropriate lectin. For example, when the sugar residue is a beta-galactoside the liposomes are aggregated by ricin and when it is an alpha-mannoside they are aggregated by Con A. The lectin-mediated aggregation of these liposomes is reversed by the addition of the appropriate sugar. The rates but not the extents of aggregation of these liposomes are highly sensitive to the amount of glycolipid incorporated. Below approximately 5% glycolipid incorporation the rate of the lectin-mediated aggregation of these liposomes is exceedingly slow, whereas above this level rapid aggregation proceeds. At all concentrations studied the synthetic glycolipids are incorporated in a unimodal fashion so that the observed threshold effects cannot be based on possible differences in the manner in which the glycolipids are incorporated at different concentrations. This conclusion is based on 1) studies with galactose oxidase that show that the percentage of galactose oxidation in a liposome prepared from a galactosyl-containing glycolipid is independent of glycolipid concentration, and 2) studies on the aggregation of liposomes containing mixed glycolipids in which the glycolipids are shown to behave independently. The importance of a critical density of membrane-bound receptors in order for aggregation to occur is discussed.     

生物表面活性剂的特性及应用

生物表面活性剂可分为五类:糖脂、多糖脂、脂肽、磷脂及中性脂。木文简述了生物表面活性剂的特性,着重介绍了糖脂化合物的结构,物理化学性质及应用。     

Glycolipids and phospholipids of the fruit ofElaeagnus angustifolia

The glycolipids and phospholipids of the fruit of Russian olive have been studied. The seeds yielded nine glycolipids and seven phospholipid components, and the pericarp eight glycolipids and three phospholipid components. Their fatty-acid compositions have been determined. Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 646–651, September–October, 1993.     

Solid-phase synthesis of serine-based glycosphingolipid analogues for preparation of glycoconjugate arrays

Synthetic glycolipids with defined structures are important tools in the study of glycolipid biology. In this paper we describe a solid-phase synthesis of three galactosylated serine-based glycosphingolipid analogues using the novel linker 2-fluoro-4-(hydroxymethyl)-phenoxyacetic acid. Gel-phase (19)F-NMR spectroscopy was used to measure the yield and stereochemical outcome of the solid-phase glycosylations. Under NIS-TfOH promotion, alpha- and beta-selective glycosylations were performed at room temperature with thioglycoside donors carrying fluorine labelled protective groups. Finally, the glycolipids were covalently linked to microtiter plates and labelled lectins with different selectivity for alpha- and beta-galactosides could bind to the glycolipid arrays.     

Synthesis of novel glycolipids derived from glycopyranosyl azides and N-(β-glycopyranosyl)azidoacetamides

A general and expedient method based on a click reaction has been developed for the synthesis of novel glycolipids. The Cu(I) catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of several fully acetylated β- as well as α-d-glycopyranosyl azides, including the 1,6-diazide derived from d-glucose, with long chain alkyl propargyl ethers gave the respective 1,4-substituted 1,2,3-triazole derivatives in good yields. Treatment of fully acetylated N-(β-glycopyranosyl)azidoacetamides under similar conditions with alkyl propargyl ethers afforded the 1,2,3-triazolylacetamido derivatives in fairly good yields. Zemplen de-O-acetylation of all the fully acetylated derivatives furnished the free glycolipids in quantitative yields.     

Ethanol-induced changes in glycolipids of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Total glycolipid content of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells increased in ethanol-treated yeast cells. Sialic acid and hexosamine contents of glycolipids from ethanol-treated cells decreased, whereas those of hexoses increased. Increased sialidase activity in the presence of ethanol may be responsible for the decrease in sialic acid content of glycolipids. The saccharide moieties of glycolipids of S. cerevisiae consisted of fucose, mannose, galactose, and glucose. Ethanol treatment of yeast cells caused an increase in glucose and a decrease in galactose content of glycolipids. The changes in glucose content can be related to changes in β-glucosidase activity under alcohol stress. The content of cerebrosides, sulfatides, and monoglucosyldiglycerides was enhanced following ethanol treatment. An increase in cerebroside as well as in sulfatide content during alcohol stress might play an important role in stabilizing the membrane both physically and structurally. Such variations in glycolipid content and composition of S. cerevisiae cells may represent an adaptive response to ethanol stress.     

几类重要的免疫抗原糖脂分子研究进展

近些年来随着化学生物学的兴起, 对糖脂类化合物, 尤其是一些与免疫应答相关的糖脂分子的研究, 取得了重大的进展, 得到了一些很有意义的研究成果. 着重就几类可作为免疫抗原的糖脂分子的研究进展以及它们的生物学功能进行综述.