Characterization of symmetric and asymmetric lipid bilayers composed of varying concentrations of ganglioside GM1 and DPPC

Gangliosides are a group of structurally diverse, sialic acid containing glycosphingolipids embedded into the membrane via their hydrophobic ceramide moiety. To gain atomic level insights into the structural perturbations caused by Galbeta3GalNAcbeta4(NeuAcalpha3)Galbeta4Glc1Cer (GM1), molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of a 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayer containing GM1 at five different concentrations have been performed. Biological membranes contain GM1 only on the exoplasmic leaflet. However, vesicles prepared in the laboratory contain GM1 in both the leaflets albeit unequally. Hence, simulations were performed with GM1 present in only one (asymmetric bilayers) or in both of the leaflets (symmetric bilayers) of the bilayer. In symmetric bilayers, there is a decrease in surface area, an increase in deuterium order parameter, and an increase in peak-to-peak distance of DPPC with increasing concentration of GM1. Thus, the overall area of the lipid bilayer decreases (condensation effect) and the thickness increases with increasing concentrations of GM1. Even in asymmetric systems, decrease in surface area and increase in deuterium order parameter of hydrocarbon chains of DPPC are observed. However, the decrease in bilayer area and the increase in bilayer thickness are not as much as in the symmetric bilayer.     

Chip-nanoelectrospray quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry of meningioma gangliosides: a preliminary study

A strategy combining high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), laser densitometry, and fully automated chip-based nanoelectrospray (nanoESIchip) performed on a NanoMate robot coupled to QTOF-MS was developed, optimized, and for the first time applied for mapping and structural identification of gangliosides (GGs) extracted and purified from a human angioblastic meningioma specimen. While HPTLC pattern indicated only seven fractions migrating as GM3, GM2, GM1, GD3, GD1a (nLD1, LD1), GD1b, GT1b, and possibly GD2, due to the high sensitivity, mass accuracy, and ability to ionize minor species in complex mixtures, nanoESIchip-QTOF MS was able to discover significantly more GG species than ever reported in meningioma. Thirty-four distinct glycosphingolipid components of which five asialo, one GM4, nine GM3, two GM2, two GD3, nine GM1, and six GD1 differing in their ceramide compositions were identified. All structures presented long-chain bases with 18 carbon atoms, while the length of the fatty acid was found to vary from C11 to C25. MS screening results indicated also that the diversity of the expressed GM1 structures is higher than expected in view of the low proportions evidenced by densitometric quantification. Simultaneous fragmentation of meningioma-associated GM1 (d18:1/24:1) and GM1 (d18:1/24:0) by MS/MS using CID confirmed the postulated structures of the ceramide moieties and provided data on the glycan core, which document that for each of the GM1 (d18:1/24:1) and GM1 (d18:1/24:0) forms both GM1a and GM1b isomers are expressed in the investigated meningioma tissue.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of GM3 and GM2 gangliosides containing a truncated ceramide functionalized for glycoconjugate synthesis and solid phase applications

Analogues of GM3 and GM2 gangliosides were chemoenzymatically synthesized on a multifunctional ceramide-type tether designed to facilitate diverse strategies for glycoconjugate synthesis. The truncated ceramide aglycon maintains the stereogenic centres of natural ceramide while avoiding extensive hydrophobicity that can hamper synthesis and purification of the glycolipids. Tetanus toxoid and BSA glycoconjugates of these two gangliosides were prepared for immunization of mice, and for solid phase assays to screen for ganglioside-specific antibodies. Inhibition experiments showed that antibodies generated by tetanus toxoid conjugates of GM3 and GM2 exhibited specificity for the carbohydrate epitope and the stereogenic centres of the ceramide.     

Synthetic studies on glycosphingolipids from protostomia phyla: synthesis of amphoteric glycolipid analogues from the porcine nematode,Ascaris suum

A novel amphoteric glycosphingolipid, cholinephosphoryl-(-->6)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->3)-beta-D-Manp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->)-Cer, isolated from the porcine parasitic nematode, Ascaris suum, may be expected to be involved in host-parasite interactions. This glycosphingolipid analogue containing octyl residue in place of ceramide was synthesized as follows: The key reaction of this synthetic procedure is the formation of a intramolecular aglycon delivery (IAD) approach for beta-selective mannosylation. Then, a coupling of phosphocholine group at the position C-6' of 16 was attempted using 2-chloro-2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane, followed by reaction of the resulting cyclic phosphate intermediate with anhydrous trimethylamine to give 17. Subsequent debenzylation and debenzylidenation afforded target compound (2).     

Inhibition effects of gangliosides G(M1), G(D1a) and G(T1b) on base-catalyzed isomerization of prostaglandin A(2)

Micellar inhibition effect of gangliosides on a degradation of drug was investigated, where ganglioside G(M1) (GM1), G(D1a) (GD1a) and G(T1b) (GTlb) whose sialic acid residue is one, two and three, respectively, were used. The base-catalyzed isomerization of prostaglandin A(2) (PGA(2)) to prostaglandin B(2) (PGB(2)) was chosen as a model experiment. The rate for the isomerization of PGA(2) was determined by measuring the concentration of PGA(2) (and PGB(2)) with a high-performance liquid chromatography. Gangliosides micelles inhibited the isomerization of PGA(2). The inhibition effect of GT1b micelles was larger than that of GD1a micelles. This result would be due to the larger absolute value of surface potential of GT1b micelles, which brings about a larger electrostatic repulsion between micellar surface and OH(-). The terminal sialic acid residue of ganglioside was effective to inhibit the isomerization of PGA(2). GM1 micelles without terminal sialic acid residue but with large aggregation number exhibited a superior steric shielding effect rather than an electrostatically repulsive effect. The inhibition effect of GM1 micelles was enhanced by the mixed micellization with the other ganglioside with a terminal sialic acid residue. GM1-GD1a or GM1-GT1b mixed micelles remarkably inhibited the isomerization of PGA(2). The physiological activity of PGs in the biological membranes containing gangliosides was also discussed.     

Synthetic studies on glycosphingolipids from protostomia phyla: synthesis of a glycosphingolipid analogue from the parasite Spirometra erinacei

Novel neutral glycosphingolipids isolated from the plerocercoids of a tapeworm, Spirometra erinacei, may be expected to be involved in host-parasite interactions. We have synthesized this glycosphingolipid analogue containing 2-branched fatty alkyl residue in place of ceramide. Glycosylation of nonreducing-end trisaccharide derivative 15 with the reducing-end disaccharide derivative 17 in the presence of trimethylsilyl triflate (TMSOTf) gave the desired oligosaccharide derivative in good yield. The fully per-O-acylated 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl glycoside 19 was converted to glycosylimidate 20, which was condensed with 2-(tetradecyl)hexadecanol and subsequently deacylated to give the target glycosphingolipid analogue 22.     

Evaluation and evidence of natural gangliosides with two unsaturated bonds in the ceramide structure obtained by a combination of MALDI-MS and NMR spectroscopy

Gangliosides are membrane-associated glycosphingolipids. N-Acetyl GM3 and N-glycolyl GM3 are two tumor-associated antigens expressed in cancer tissues such as melanoma and mammalian cancer. In order to use these antigens in GM3-based vaccines for patients with early stage cancer, the synthetic version is recommended to avoid the risk of animal virus transmission from the source. However, the isolation of natural gangliosides is of comparative value for the structural characterization. The structures of N-acetyl and N-glycolyl GM3 extracted from dog and horse erythrocytes were evaluated by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques; additionally, the natural N-acetyl ganglioside was compared to a synthetic one. In addition to the main compound with C24:0 fatty acid chain, a minor component with an additional unsaturation in the ceramide chain was detected, in both the dog and the horse gangliosides. This paper shows spectroscopic evidence of the aforementioned compounds.     

Synthesis of di- to hexasaccharide 1,2-linked beta-mannopyranan oligomers, a terminal S-linked tetrasaccharide congener and the corresponding BSA glycoconjugates.

Homo oligomers of (1-->2)-beta-D-mannopyranosyl residues have been synthesized in order to study the unique immunological properties of the cell wall mannan of C. albicans. p-Chlorobenzyl-protected ulosyl bromide (2) in combination with the sterically hindered, participating solvent, pivaloyl nitrile, facilitated a new approach for the synthesis of these unique homooligomers ranging from disaccharide up to hexasaccharide. The glycosyl donor 2 demonstrates high diastereoselectivity over both the glycosylation and subsequent reduction step and minimizes the number of protecting group manipulations necessary for the synthesis. Congeners of the (1-->2)-beta-D-mannotetraose were synthesized containing a terminal S-linked (1-->2)-beta-D-mannopyranosyl residue. Deprotection of these compounds afforded the propyl glycosides as well as oligomers with amino terminated aglyconic tethers. The tethers were generated from the oligosaccharide allyl glycosides by photoaddition with 2-aminoethanethiol. The functionalized haptens were coupled to BSA via squarate conjugation, and the degree of incorporation was established by TOF mass spectrometry.     

A parallel approach to the discovery of carrier delivery vehicles to enhance antigen immunogenicity

As part of an ongoing effort to generate human and murine monoclonal antibodies against poorly immunogenic tumor-associated antigens we have merged the rapidly expanding disciplines of parallel polymer synthesis and controlled-release technology with immunology to produce a rapid and generic approach to improve the immunogenicity of carrier-bound antigens. The process involves three stages: An array of cross-linked hydrogel materials containing a carrier protein (at various concentrations) is prepared in parallel in one step. The array is then screened in mice to determine the most effective hydrogel at enhancing the immunogenicity of the encapsulated versus nonencapsulated carrier. Finally, the most efficient hydrogel is prepared containing the critical carrier-antigen conjugate and is used for immunization protocols. The strategy was successful for the BSA-glycoconjugate of the tumor-associated antigen GM3 analogue 4. When encapsulated within the hydrogel array member most efficient at elevating BSA immunogenicity, the BSA-4 glycoconjugate was significantly more immunogenic that when administered as a free antigen.     

Structural organisation and phase behaviour of a stratum corneum lipid analogue: ceramide 3A

The thermotropic phase behaviour and structural organisation of ceramide N-linoeoyl-phytosphingosine (ceramide 3A) is investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Its polymorphism and structural properties are compared with two ceramides of the type III class with various hydrocarbon chain saturation degrees. After hydration the main phase transition temperature of ceramide 3A is found at 76 degrees C with a phase transition enthalpy of +29 kJ mol(-1). Analysing the frequency of methylene stretching vibrations (by infrared spectroscopy) reveals that the fluidity (amount of trans-gauche isomers) is strongly increased for ceramide 3A compared to its stearoyl ceramide type III analogue. After lipid hydration, the acyl chains of all investigated phytosphingosine ceramides of type III adopt a hexagonal-like chain packing. The amide I and amide II vibrations are quite sensitive to the phase transition of the ceramide. The corresponding band analysis reveals strong inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the amide and hydroxyl groups in the ceramide head groups. The H-bonding network and conformation of the head group of ceramide 3A is only slightly influenced by hydration. The water penetration capacity of ceramide 3A is, however, considerably larger compared to other phytosphingosine derivatives. The structural and organisational properties of ceramides of type III class are discussed with respect to their physiological relevancies for the stratum corneum lipid barrier property of the skin.     

On the Specificity of Anti-Sulfoglucuronosyl Glycolipid Antibodies 1

Abstract

The mouse monoclonal anti-human HNK-1 antibody (also variously known as L2, Leu-7, CD57, VC1.1), monoclonal anti-sulfoglucuronosyl glycosphingolipids (SGGLs) antibody (mAb NGR50), and human sera from patients with demyelinating neuropathy and IgM paraproteinemia, are known to react with not only SGGLs, including sulfoglucuronosyl paragloboside (SGPG) and sulfoglucuronosyl lactosaminyl paragloboside (SGLPG), but also glycoproteins, such as myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), PO, PMP22, and certain adhesion molecules. These antigens are known to possess the so-called HNK-1 epitope (3-sulfoglucuronic acid, SGA) moiety. To further define the precise structural requirement of this carbohydrate epitope, we chemically synthesized 14 SGGLs, and their nonsulfated derivatives with defined carbohydrate chain lengths and aglycone structures. The various aglycones include ceramide, 2-(tetradecyl)hexadecyl (B30), and 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl (SE). These synthetic SGGLs were tested for their immunoreactivity with the above antibodies by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)-immunoblotting and ELISA. The anti-HNK-1 antibody (VC1.1) reacted with SGGL analogues containing a minimum of two sugars (SGA-Gal-Cer), but not with non-sulfated derivatives of SGGLs nor with SGGLs having a modified ceramide structure. mAb NGR50, on the other hand, reacted with only SGPG and SGLPG. A human patient serum (LT) reacted with all synthetic SGGLs except those with an SE aglycone structure. On the other hand, another human patient serum (YT). like the anti-HNK-1 antibody, VC1.1, reacted with SGPG, SGLPG, and SGGL analogues containing a minimum of two sugars (SGA-Gal-Cer). All antibodies reacted more strongly with synthetic SGGLs with longer carbohydrate chains. These results indicate that anti-SGGL antibodies recognize a minimum of two sugars bearing the following structure (3-sulfoglucuronosyl β 1-3 galactosyl, SGA-Gal-) and that the aglycone (“ceramide”) structure appears to play an important role for antibody-antigen interaction.

     

Total synthesis of dansyl and biotin functionalized ganglioside GM3 by chemoenzymatic method

Ganglioside GM3, as well as other gangliosides, offers a variety of modifications in its sialic acid and ceramide moieties GM3 exhibits various types of important biological activities, due to the inability to effectively observe the trafficking of ganglioside GM3, developing sensitive research tools for specific monitoring of GM3 expression and activity is thus desirable. The total synthesis of a dansyl and biotin bifunctionalized fluorescent ganglioside GM3 were reported in this article. From lactose after 13 reaction steps, the compound of 2′ -biotinoylaminoethyl-6-N-dansylamido-6-deoxy-β-D-galatopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopy-ranoside was obtained in total yield of 16.2%. Sialylation of dansyl and biotin functionalized lactose by enzymatic method gave dansyl and biotin labeled ganglioside GM3. The fluorescent property of this compound was also investigated.     

S-linked ganglioside analogues for use in conjugate vaccines

[structure: see text] Glycosidase resistant thioglycoside precursors of the melanoma-associated ganglioside GM(2) have been synthesized starting from lactose. Syntheses of several analogues of ganglioside GM(3) and a positional isomer have been developed. These compounds contain thio-linked sialic acid residues and a modified ceramide aglycon functionalized for coupling to proteins, surfaces, or matrices. The hydrolytic stability of these oligosaccharides enhances the immunogenicity of the corresponding conjugate vaccines by ensuring their integrity in the acidic compartments of antigen processing cells.     

Synthesis of N-modified ganglioside GM3 derivatives

Ganglioside GM3 and its derivatives have many important biological functions. Using diethyl phosphite protected sialic acid as glycosyl donor and 3,2′,3′,4′-unprotected lactose as glycosyl acceptor, the sialic acid-containing trisaccharide was assembled with excellent anomeric stereoselectivity. The trisaccharide was further coupled with ceramide precursor to yield sphingosine 1. Based on this key intermediate, two different series of N-modified GM3 analogues with modifications on either the nitrogen of sialic acid residue or the nitrogen of ceramide moiety and GM3 itself were synthesized smoothly.     

Rapid Profiling of Bovine and Human Milk Gangliosides by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry

Gangliosides are anionic glycosphingolipids widely distributed in vertebrate tissues and fluids. Their structural and quantitative expression patterns depend on phylogeny and are distinct down to the species level. In milk, gangliosides are exclusively associated with the milk fat globule membrane. They may participate in diverse biological processes but more specifically to host-pathogen interactions. However, due to the molecular complexities, the analysis needs extensive sample preparation, chromatographic separation, and even chemical reaction, which makes the process very complex and time-consuming. Here, we describe a rapid profiling method for bovine and human milk gangliosides employing matrix-assisted desorption/ionization (MALDI) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry (MS). Prior to the analyses of biological samples, milk ganglioside standards GM3 and GD3 fractions were first analyzed in order to validate this method. High mass accuracy and high resolution obtained from MALDI FTICR MS allow for the confident assignment of chain length and degree of unsaturation of the ceramide. For the structural elucidation, tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), specifically as collision-induced dissociation (CID) and infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) were employed. Complex ganglioside mixtures from bovine and human milk were further analyzed with this method. The samples were prepared by two consecutive chloroform/methanol extraction and solid phase extraction. We observed a number of differences between bovine milk and human milk. The common gangliosides in bovine and human milk are NeuAc-NeuAc-Hex-Hex-Cer (GD3) and NeuAc-Hex-Hex-Cer (GM3); whereas, the ion intensities of ganglioside species are different between two milk samples. Kendrick mass defect plot yields grouping of ganglioside peaks according to their structural similarities. Gangliosides were further probed by tandem MS to confirm the compositional and structural assignments. We found that only in human milk gangliosides was the ceramide carbon always even numbered, which is consistent with the notion that differences in the oligosaccharide and the ceramide moieties confer to their physiological distinctions.     

Physicochemical and biological characterization of ceramide-containing liposomes: paving the way to ceramide therapeutic application

Ceramides mediate antiproliferative responses, and it has been proposed that increasing the level of ceramides in cancer cells may have a therapeutic antitumor effect. However, ceramides, because of their high "packing parameter" (PP), do not form lipid assemblies that can be dispersed in a form suitable for intravenous administration. We found that nanoliposomes containing short- or medium-chain ceramides are unstable because of their very high (>1.3) PP. To overcome this major obstacle, we included the lipopolymer 2kPEG-DSPE, which reduces the additive PP. The presence of PEG-DSPE allows the formation of highly stable (>1 year) ceramide (Cer)-containing nanoliposomes suitable for systemic administration. Using tumor cell lines, we found that the ceramide cytotoxicity was not impaired by their inclusion in nanoliposomes. The use of 14C-labeled ceramides shows that the C6Cer, but not C16Cer, was transferred from the nanoliposomes to the cells and metabolized efficiently. The difference between the two ceramides is related to the large difference between their critical aggregation concentration and was correlated with the much higher cytotoxity of liposomal C6Cer. The activity of 2kPEG-DSPE as a steric stabilizer (as previously shown for Doxil) was also confirmed for C6Cer-containing nanoliposomes. The 2kPEG-DSPE lipopolymer significantly reduced the desorption rate of the ceramide from the liposome bilayer, thereby allowing liposomes containing C6Cer to reach the tumor site and to demonstrate therapeutic efficacy.     

高效液相色谱-串联质谱法分离鉴定单唾液酸四己糖神经节苷脂中的杂质

用高效液相色谱法（HPLC）分析了单唾液酸四己糖神经节苷脂(GM1)药物的冻干粉、中间体和注射液各6个批号的样品,以期查找出采用不同工艺生产的成品中造成临床副反应的可能杂质。在用HPLC对多个批号GM1成药的对比分析中,发现某个批号的GM1干粉中多出2个杂质峰,其保留时间与制作该批号的GM1中间体的2个杂质峰保留值相同。对该批号的GM1干粉和相应批号的GM1中间体中的目标杂质进行半制备级收集,经冷冻干燥除溶剂富集35倍后,用电喷雾-四极杆-飞行时间质谱（ESI-Q-TOF MS）定性分析,对主分子离子峰进行了二级质谱分析。经谱图解析后,推断在GM1干粉和中间体中存在的保留值相同的杂质可能是同种组分。两个杂质峰的结构皆为岩藻糖(Fuc)-GM1,仅是神经酰胺上的长链基团有所不同,峰1的该基团由16个CH2组成,而峰2的该基团由18个CH2组成。临床数据表明含有上述两种杂质的2批GM1注射液都有副反应,而没有上述杂质的4批GM1注射液都没有临床副反应,而且这两批有临床副反应的GM1注射液都是用同一个批号的含有这两种杂质的中间体制成的,因此推断上述两个杂质可能是引起副反应的主要组分。     

Effect of membrane composition on surface states of ganglioside GM1/dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine/dioleoylphosphatidylcholine monolayers

The surface states of ganglioside GM1 (GM1)/dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC)/dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) monolayers having various compositions were investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the effect of the composition on the surface states of the membrane was examined. The AFM images for the ternary system showed a DPPC-rich phase containing GM1 in the DOPC matrix, which indicated that the morphology varied as the composition of the monolayers changed. The AFM images for the GM1/DPPC/DOPC monolayers having (2:9:9) and (4:18:9) molar ratios showed a percolation pattern similar to that observed for the GM1/DPPC (1:9) monolayer. The AFM image for the GM1/DPPC/DOPC (2:18:9) monolayer showed a dotted pattern with a high topography. Monolayers having a higher content of DOPC than DPPC and/or having a higher content of GM1 showed dot-like domains in the DPPC-rich phase containing GM1. In conclusion, the surface states of GM1/DPPC/DOPC monolayers changed depending on the composition. These results may be related to a diversity of GM1 in various organs.     

Application of serine- and threonine-derived cyclic sulfamidates for the preparation of S-linked glycosyl amino acids in solution- and solid-phase peptide synthesis

Cyclic sulfamidates were synthesized in 60% yield from L-serine and allo-L-threonine, respectively. These sulfamidates reacted with a variety of unprotected 1-thio sugars in aqueous bicarbonate buffer (pH 8) to afford the corresponding S-linked serine- and threonine-glycosyl amino acids with good diastereoselectivity (> or =97%) after hydrolysis of the N-sulfates. The serine-derived sulfamidate was incorporated into a simple dipeptide to generate a reactive dipeptide substrate that underwent chemoselective ligation with a 1-thio sugar to afford an S-linked glycopeptide. This sulfamidate was also incorporated into a peptide on a solid support in conjunction with solid-phase peptide synthesis. Chemoselective ligation of a 1-thio sugar with the cyclic sulfamidate was achieved on the solid support, followed by removal of the N-sulfate. Finally, the peptide chain of the resulting support-bound S-linked glycopeptide was extended using standard peptide synthesis procedures.     

Ceramide promotes restructuring of model raft membranes

The generation of ceramide in cellular membranes is believed to cause coalescence of small lipid raft domains to give large signaling platforms, thus providing a site for the oligomerization of cell surface receptors. We have used atomic force microscopy to study the effects of ceramide generation by in situ enzymatic hydrolysis of sphingomyelin in phase-separated lipid bilayers that have sphingomyelin/cholesterol-rich domains surrounded by a fluid phase. In situ generation of ceramide produces heterogeneous domains with many raised subdomains that are also formed in bilayers containing premixed ceramide. However, in situ ceramide generation also results in the restructuring of the bilayer to give (1) areas of fluid phase that are devoid of domains, (2) areas that have a distribution of domains similar to the original bilayer, and (3) areas containing clusters of domains. The observation of the ceramide-promoted heterogeneity and clustering of raft domains in a physiologically relevant model provides strong support for the ceramide-induced formation of signaling platforms in cell membranes.