Synthesis of a derivative of a pentasaccharide repeating unit of the O-antigenic polysaccharide of the bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae O3 as a benzoylated 2-methoxycarbonylethyl thioglycoside

Block synthesis of a fully benzoylated derivative of the pentasaccharide α-d-Manp-(1→3)-α-d-Manp-(1→2)-α-d-Manp-(1→2)-α-d-Manp-(1→2)-α-d-Manp-SCH₂CH₂CO₂Me, the glycoside of the repeating unit of the O-antigenic polysaccharide of the bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae O3, was performed.     

Polysaccharide hydrolases from leaves of Boscia senegalensis: properties of endo-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucanase

The leaves of Boscia senegalensis are traditionally used in West Africa in cereal protection against pathogens, pharmacologic applications, and food processing. Activities of α-amylase, β-amylase, exo-(1→3, 1→4)-β-d-glucanase, and endo-(1→3)-β-d-glucanase were detected in these leaves. The endo-(1→3)-β-d-glucanase (EC3.2.1.39) was purified 203-fold with 57% yield. The purified enzyme is a nonglycosylated monomeric protein with a molecular mass of 36 kDa and pI≥10.3. Its optimal activity occurred at pH 4.5 and 50°C. Kinetic analysis gave V _max, k _cat , and K _m values of 659 U/mg, 395 s⁻¹, and 0.42 mg/mL, respectively, for laminarin as substrate. The use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography revealed that the enzyme hydrolyzes not only soluble but also insoluble (1→3)-β-glucan chains in an endo fashion. This property is unusual for endo-acting (1→3)-β-d-glucanase from plants. The involvement of the enzyme in plant defense against pathogenic microorganisms such as fungi is discussed.     

ABA- and BAB-triblock cooligomers of tri-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-methylated and unmodified cello-oligosaccharides: syntheses and structure-solubility relationship

Triblock cooligomers consisting of tri-O-methyl-glucopyranosyl and unmodified glucopyranosyl residues, methyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-methyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-α-d-glucopyranoside (1: ABA triblock cooligomer; DS = 2.1) and β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-d-glucopyranose (2: BAB triblock cooligomer; DS = 1.8) were prepared. Compound 1 dissolved both in distilled water and chloroform but compound 2 dissolved in distilled water not in chloroform, though compounds 1 and 2 consist of 4 tri-O-methyl-glucopyranosyl and 2 unmodified anhydro glucopyranosyl units.     

Synthesis of blockwise alkylated tetrasaccharide–organic quantum dot complexes and their utilization for live cell labeling with low cytotoxicity

Bioimaging is a key to understanding immune responses, cell differentiation, and development. Quantum dots (QDs) conjugated with monoclonal antibodies and other biomolecules are currently utilized for flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, but monoclonal antibody–QD complexes are of limited use when cell surface markers are not available. In this study, we synthesized novel amphiphilic blockwise alkylated tetrasaccharides and developed a simple method for labeling a wide variety of live cells with organic QDs encapsulated with these carbohydrates. The novel amphiphilic blockwise alkylated tetrasaccharides were as follows: methyl β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-d-glucopyranoside (1), methyl β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-d-glucopyranoside (2), ethyl β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-2,3,6-tri-O-ethyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-2,3,6-tri-O-ethyl-d-glucopyranoside, (3), and ethyl β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-2,3,6-tri-O-ethyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-2,3,6-tri-O-ethyl-d-glucopyranoside (4). The newly synthesized blockwise alkylated tetrasaccharides spontaneously assembled into micelle-like particles, in which the hydrophobic moiety of the blockwise alkylated tetrasaccharides played an important role. They were less toxic to human cells than octyl β-d-glucopyranoside, a commonly used amphiphilic glucoside. Flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that the blockwise alkylated tetrasaccharide–organic QD complexes were stably attached to live cells. The affinity of compounds 1 and 2 to the live cell surface was slightly higher than that of compounds 3 and 4. Because the preparation of these carbohydrate–QD complexes is simple and does not require sophisticated equipment, and because the complexes can be autonomously attached to a wide spectrum of cell lines, they can be used as cell labeling reagents in biomedical studies.     

New polyhydroxysteroids and steroid glycosides from the far east starfishCeramaster patagonicus

Two new polyhydroxysteroids and five new glycosides were isolated from the starfishCeramaster patagonicus and their structures were elucidated: 5α-cholestane-3β,6α,15β,16β,26-pentol, (22E)-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,6α,8,15α,24-pentol, (22E)-28-O-[O-(2-O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-galactofuranosyl]-24-hydroxymethyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,4β, 6α,8,15β,16β,28-heptol (ceramasteroside C₁), (22E)-28-O-[O-(2,4-di-O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-galactofuranosyl]-24-hydroxymethyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β, 6α,8,15β,16β,28-hexol (ceramasteroside C₂), (22E)-28-O-[O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-galactofuranosyl]-24-hydroxymethyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,6α,8,15β,16β 28-hexol (eramasteroside C₃), (22E)-28-O-[O-(2-O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-galactofuranosyl]-24-methyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,4β,6α,8, 15β, 26-hexol (ceramasteroside C₄), and (22E)-28-O-[O-(2-O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,6α,8,15β,24-pentol (ceramasteroside C₅)). Three known polyhydroxysteroids (24-methylene-5α-cholestane-3β,6α,8,15β,16β,26-hexol, 5α-cholestane-3β,6α,8,15β,16β,26-hexol, and 5α-cholestane-3β,6β,15α,16β,26-pentol) were also isolated. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 190–195, January, 1997.     

Β-d-Xylosidase from Selenomonas ruminantium: Catalyzed Reactions with Natural and Artificial Substrates

Catalytically efficient β-d-xylosidase from Selenomonas ruminantium (SXA) exhibits pK _as 5 and 7 (assigned to catalytic base, D14, and catalytic acid, E186) for k _cat/K _m with substrates 1,4-β-d-xylobiose (X2) and 1,4-β-d-xylotriose (X3). Catalytically inactive, dianionic SXA (D14⁻E186⁻) has threefold lower affinity than catalytically active, monoanionic SXA (D14⁻E186^H) for X2 and X3, whereas D14⁻E186⁻ has twofold higher affinity than D14⁻E186^H for 4-nitrophenyl-β-d-xylopyranoside (4NPX), and D14⁻E186⁻ has no affinity for 4-nitrophenyl-α-l-arabinofuranoside. Anomeric isomers, α-d-xylose and β-d-xylose, have similar affinity for SXA. 4-Nitrophenol competitively inhibits SXA-catalyzed hydrolysis of 4NPX. SXA steady-state kinetic parameters account for complete progress curves of SXA-catalyzed hydrolysis reactions. The mention of firm names or trade products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture over other firms or similar products not mentioned.     

Synthesis of oligosaccharides related to the HNK-1 antigen. 5. Synthesis of a sulfo-mimetic of the HNK-1 antigenic trisaccharide

2-Aminoethyl 3,6-di-O-sulfo-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranoside, which is the sulfo-mimetic of the antigenic trisaccharide HNK-1, and the corresponding monosulfates, viz., 2-aminoethyl 3-O-sulfo-and 2-aminoethyl 6-O-sulfo-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→ 4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosides, were synthesized. 2-Azidoethyl 2,4-di-O-benzoyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→ 4)-2-acetamido-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranoside served as the common precursor for the sulfated trisaccharides. This compound was synthesized according to the [2+1] pattern from monosaccharidic precursors: 3,6-di-O-acetyl-2,4-di-O-benzoyl-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate, allyl 2-O-benzoyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-β-D-galactopyranoside, and 2-azidoethyl 2-acetamido-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranoside. The structures of the glycosyl donors and glycosylation conditions were optimized for the efficient synthesis of the glucosyl-β-(1→3)-galactose disaccharide block and its subsequent transformation into the target trisaccharide sequence. Dedicated to Academician V. A. Tartakovsky on the occasion of his 75th birthday. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1593–1607, August, 2007.     

Beta-D-galactopyranosyl azide: its one-step quantitative synthesis using E461G-beta-galactosidase (Escherichia coli) and a demonstration of its potential as a reagent for molecular biology

A simple one-step synthesis of β-d-galactopyranosyl azide from 0-nitrophenyl-β-d-galactopyranoside and azide catalyzed by E461G-β-galactosidase is described. The synthesis is quantitative in the presence of excess azide and only the β anomer is produced. The product was purified (71% yield) from the other reaction components by extraction with ethyl acetate, silica gel chromatography, and crystallization. The purity was verified by GLC, TLC, and NMR. Thus, E461G-β-galactosidase is able to specifically and quantitatively from β-d-galactopyranosyl-azide. The purified β-d-galactopyranosylazide inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli that express β-galactosidase but not of E. coli that do not. Growth is stopped because β-galactosidase catalyzes the hydrolysis of the β-galactopyranosyl-azide, and the azide that is produced inhibits cell growth. This selective inhibition of growth has potential application in molecular biology screening.     

Structure-function relations of carbohydrates by neoglycolipid arrays

The work presented herein is a new noncovalent glycoarray assembly method for microplates created by simply mixing together a carbohydrate and a teradecylamine. α-d-Mannopyranoside, α-d-glucopyranoside, and α-d-galactopyranoside were utilized in model studies and product formations were detected by lectin binding. The method can be extended to study the steric hindrance effect of carbohydrate-protein interactions, namely the structure-function relations of carbohydrates. These authors contributed equally to this work.     

New class of carbohydrate-based nonionic surfactants: diblock co-oligomers of tri-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-methylated and unmodified cello-oligosaccharides

Mixtures of diblock co-oligomers of tri-O-methylated and unmodified cello-oligosaccharides have been found to be amphiphilic, as reported before. In order to clarify their accurate amphiphilic property, diblock co-oligomers of tri-O-methylated and unmodified cello-oligosaccharides with monodispersity, methyl β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-2,3,6–tri-O-methyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-2,3,6–tri-O-methyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-d-glucopyranoside (1, pentamer), methyl β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)- β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-d-glucopyranoside (2, hexamer), and methyl β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)- 2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-d-glucopyranoside (3, trimer) were synthesized independently. These compounds had higher surface activities compared to the mixture of diblock co-oligomers of tri-O-methylated and unmodified cello-oligosaccharides and commercially available methylcellulose (MC) SM-4. This paper describes the methods of synthesis of these compounds, and the influence of amphiphilic character on their surface activity. A new class of carbohydrate-based nonionic surfactant without long alkyl chain was discovered.