Syntheses of beta-D-GalpNAc4SO3-(1-->4)-L-IdopA2SO3, a disaccharide fragment of dermatan sulfate, and of its methyl alpha-L-glycoside derivative.

The syntheses of sodium (sodium 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-sulfonato-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1-->4)-(sodium 2-O-sulfonato-L-idopyran)uronate, a disaccharide fragment of dermatan sulfate, and of its methyl alpha-L-glycoside derivative are reported for the first time. The use of 4-O-acetyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-2-trichloroacetamido-1-O-trichloroacetimidoyl-alpha-D-galactopyranose, readily prepared from a D-gluco precursor, allowed the stereocontrolled and high yielding coupling with the low reactive 4-hydroxyl group of L-iduronic acid ester derivatives. Classical transformation of the disaccharide products into the target molecules was achieved in high yield.

Syntheses of chondroitin 4- and 6-sulfate pentasaccharide derivatives having a methyl beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid at the reducing end.

The syntheses are reported of beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcpA-(1- ->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->OMe), O-sulfonated at C-4 or C-6 of the aminosugar moieties, which represent structural elements of chondroitin 4- and 6-sulfate proteoglycans. Starting from a synthetic disaccharide glycosyl acceptor, the stepwise or blockwise construction of the sugar backbone with appropriate synthons led to a pentasaccharide tetraol, which was used as a common intermediate. Selective 6-O-sulfonation of this tetraol, followed by saponification, gave the 6-sulfate derivative, whereas selective 6-O-benzoylation, followed by O-sulfonation and saponification, afforded the 4-sulfate derivative as their sodium salts.

Unexpected stereochemical outcome of activated 4,6-O-benzylidene derivatives of the 2-deoxy-2-trichloroacetamido-D-galacto series in glycosylation reactions during the synthesis of a chondroitin 6-sulfate trisaccharide methyl glycoside.

The synthesis of methyl (beta-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1-->3)-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-6-O-sulfonato-beta-D-galactopyr anosyl)-(1-->4)-(beta-D-glucopyranosid)uronate trisodium salt, a chondroitin 6-sulfate trisaccharide derivative, is described. Loss of stereocontrol in glycosylation reactions involving activated 4,6-O-benzylidene derivatives of the 2-deoxy-2-trichloroacetamido-D-galacto series and D-glucuronic acid-derived acceptors was highlighted. This draw-back was overcome through the use of phenyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-1-thio-2-trichloroacetamido-beta-D-gala ctopyranoside, which afforded the desired beta-linked disaccharide derivative in high yield with an excellent stereoselectivity. This later was submitted to acid-catalyzed methanolysis, followed by benzylidenation, and condensed with methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-1-O-trichloroacetimidoyl-alpha-D-glucopyran uronate to afford the expected trisaccharide derivative. Subsequent transformation of the N-trichloroacetyl group into N-acetyl, mild acid hydrolysis, selective O-sulfonation at C-6 of the amino sugar moiety, and saponification afforded the target molecule as its sodium salt in high yield.

NMR and molecular modeling studies on two glycopeptides from the carbohydrate-protein linkage region of connective tissue proteoglycans.

Complete 1H and 13C NMR assignments are reported for two glycopeptides representing the carbohydrate-protein linkage region of connective tissue proteoglycans. These glycopeptides are the octasaccharide hexapeptide, Ser(GlcpAbeta(1-->3) Galpbeta(1-->3)Galpbeta(1-->4)Xylpbeta)-Gly-Ser-Gly-Se r (GlcpAbeta(1-->3)Galpbeta(1-->3)Galpbeta(1-->4)Xylp beta)-Gly (1), and the tetrasaccharide dipeptide, Ser(GlcpAbeta(1-->3)Galpbeta(1-->3)Galpbeta(1-->4)X ylpbeta)-Gly (2). The vicinal coupling constant data show that the monosaccharide residues adopt4 C 1 chair conformations. Distance geometry/simulated annealing calculations using 2D NOESY derived distance constraints yielded a single family of structures for the tetrasaccharide moiety, with well defined interglycosidic linkage conformations. The straight phi torsion angles of the glycosidic C1'-O1 bonds showed a strict preference for the -sc range whereas the psi torsion angles (O1-Cn) exhibited dependence upon the interglycosidic linkage position (-ac for beta(1-->3) linkage, +ac for beta(1-->4) linkage). The predominant conformation about the glycopeptide bond is straight phi = -sc and psi = +ac. The presence of strong daN (i, i+1) NOE contacts, and the general absence of dNN (i, i+1) contacts (except for a weak Ser-5/Gly-6 dNN contact) and the dbN (i, i+1) contacts (except for Ser-1/Gly-2) in the ROESY spectrum, suggest that the backbone for 1 is predominantly in an extended conformation. A comparison of the ROESY data for 1 with those obtained from the unglycosylated hexapeptide (3) of the same sequence suggests that glycosylation has only a marginal influence on the backbone conformation of the hexapeptide.

Nodule-inducing activity of synthetic Sinorhizobium meliloti nodulation factors and related lipo-chitooligosaccharides on alfalfa. Importance of the acyl chain structure.

Sinorhizobium meliloti nodulation factors (NFs) elicit a number of symbiotic responses in alfalfa (Medicago sativa) roots. Using a semiquantitative nodulation assay, we have shown that chemically synthesized NFs trigger nodule formation in the same range of concentrations (down to 10(-10) M) as natural NFs. The absence of O-sulfate or O-acetate substitutions resulted in a decrease in morphogenic activity of more than 100-fold and approximately 10-fold, respectively. To address the question of the influence of the structure of the N-acyl chain, we synthesized a series of sulfated tetrameric lipo-chitooligosaccharides (LCOs) having fatty acids of different lengths and with unsaturations either conjugated to the carbonyl group (2E) or located in the middle of the chain (9Z). A nonacylated, sulfated chitin tetramer was unable to elicit nodule formation. Acylation with short (C8) chains rendered the LCO active at 10(-7) M. The optimal chain length was C16, with the C16-LCO being more than 10-fold more active than the C12- and C18-LCOs. Unsaturations were important, and the diunsaturated 2E,9Z LCO was more active than the monounsaturated LCOs. We discuss different hypotheses for the role of the acyl chain in NF perception.

Insolubilization test of sodium chondroitin sulphate with a view to its use as colonic carrier of drugs.

Several studies have been devoted to cross-linked sodium chondroitin sulphate (SCS), in the context of numerous strategies attempting to target the colon for the absorption or the therapeutic action of a drug. SCS, a glycosaminoglycan presenting a specific degradation in the colon, is in fact soluble in water and its use as drug carrier at such a distance from the digestive tube necessitates its hydrophobisation. One method described in the literature consists in manufacturing a three-dimensional network by cross-linking with bifunctional compounds. However, all the structural characterisations carried out on the products resulting from the catalysed treatments of SCS with diaminoalkanes demonstrate that there are no cross-linking bridges between the polymer chains. Moreover, treated SCS-based tablets containing theophylline as model drug lead in vitro to dissolution profiles which are identical to those obtained with the non-treated SCS. We were therefore unable to find the announced results using the method described.

Multigram syntheses of the disaccharide repeating units of chondroitin 4- and 6-sulfates.

The multigram syntheses of beta-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid-(1-->3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4- and 6-O-sulfo-D-galactopyranose disodium salt, the disaccharide repeating units of chondroitin 4- and 6-sulfates, are described. The disaccharide benzyl methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate- (1-->3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranoside was used as a common intermediate. Selective benzoylation at O-6 followed by O-sulfonation at C-4 of the aminosugar moiety, saponification and catalytic hydrogenation afforded the 4-O-sulfo derivative, whereas selective O-sulfonation at C-6 followed by similar deprotection steps provided the 6-O-sulfo derivative in high yield.

Complete 1H NMR assignments of synthetic glycopeptides from the carbohydrate-protein linkage region of serglycins.

We present complete 1H NMR assignments for two synthetic glycopeptides representative of the carbohydrate-protein linkage region of serglycin proteoglycans. The peptides are: Ser(Galp-Xylp)-Gly-Ser-Gly-Ser(Galp-Xylp)-Gly and, Ser(Galp-Xylp)-Gly-Ser(Galp-Xylp)-Gly-Ser(Galp-Xylp)-G ly. A number of 2D NMR spectra together with a 3D NOESY-TOCSY spectrum were acquired at 600 MHz to complete the assignments of the glycopeptides dissolved in water with 40% trifluoroethanol. Preliminary analysis of the NMR data suggests folded structures for the glycopeptides.

The use of 2-deoxy-2-trichloroacetamido-D-glucopyranose derivatives in syntheses of hyaluronic acid-related tetra-, hexa-, and octa-saccharides having a methyl beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid at the reducing end.

Expeditious and stereocontrolled syntheses are reported of beta-D-Glc pNAc-(1-->4)-[beta-D-Glc pA-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glc pNAc-(1-->4)]n-beta-D-Glc pA-(1-->OMe), where n = 1, 2, and 3, which represent structural elements of the extracellular polysaccharide hyaluronic acid. Condensation of 4,6-O-benzylidene-3-O-chloroacetyl-2-deoxy-2-trichloroacetamido- alpha-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate with methyl (4-methoxyphenyl 2,3-di-O-benzoyl-beta-D-glucopyranosid)uronate gave the disaccharide derivative 9, which was demethoxyphenylated and imidoylated to afford the pivotal disaccharide trichloroacetimidate 7. Condensation of 7 with methanol followed by O-dechloroacetylation gave the acceptor 8. Coupling of 7 with 8 gave the tetrasaccharide derivative 4. O-Dechloroacetylation of 4 followed by condensation with imidate 7 afforded hexasaccharide 5, which was transformed into octasaccharide 6 by a similar two-step procedure. Subsequent O-dechloroacetylation, transformation of the N-trichloroacetyl groups into N-acetyl, debenzylidenation, and saponification of 4-6 afforded the tetra- (1), hexa- (2), and octa-saccharide (3) derivatives in high yields, as their sodium salts.

The use of 2-deoxy-2-trichloroacetamido-D-glucopyranose derivatives in syntheses of oligosaccharides.

3,4,6-Tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-trichloroacetamido-alpha-D-glucopyran osyl trichloroacetimidate and its O-benzylated analogue were tested as glycosyl donors in the reaction with a set of sugar acceptors unsubstituted on O-3 and O-4, typically encountered in the synthesis of oligosaccharides. Glycosides were obtained in good to excellent yields with only a slight excess (1.1-1.2 equiv) of the donor, and with a high degree of 1,2-trans stereoselectivity. The corresponding 2-(trichloromethyl)oxazolinium ion was postulated to be the major reactive intermediate. The N-trichloroacetyl groups in the disaccharide products were easily transformed into N-acetyl under neutral conditions by reduction with tributylstannane.

Synthesis of sulfated and phosphorylated glycopeptides from the carbohydrate-protein linkage region of proteoglycans.

The synthesis of the tetrasaccharide dipeptide beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galp4SO3Na-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galp-( 1-->4)-beta-D-Xylp- (1-->O)-L-Ser-Gly was achieved by coupling a suitably protected tetrasaccharide trichloroacetimidate, built up from the nonreducing end by the stepwise addition of monosaccharide units, to the protected dipeptide Z-L-Ser-Gly-OBn. Sulfation at O-4 of the second D-Gal unit and complete deprotection afforded the target molecule in high yield. Its phosphorylated analogue beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta- D-Xylp2PO3Na2 - (1-->O)-L-Ser-Gly was synthesized by coupling a protected trisaccharide trichloroacetimidate to the 2,3-O-isopropylidene derivative of Z-(D-Xyl-)L-Ser-Gly-OBn. Hydrolysis of the O-isopropylidene group, regioselective acetylation at O-3 of the O-Xyl unit, and phosphorylation at O-2 followed by complete deprotection gave the phosphorylated tetrasaccharide dipeptide in high yield. These structures are found in the carbohydrate-protein linkage region of several proteoglycans.

Total synthesis of the carbohydrate-protein linkage region common to several mammalian proteoglycans.

A stereocontrolled synthesis of beta-D-GlcpA-(1--> 3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Xylp-(1 --> O)-L-Ser-Gly, the common glycopeptide sequence of the carbohydrate-protein linkage region of most mammalian proteoglycans, was achieved by use of O-[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate] -(1-->3)-O-(2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-O-(2,4, 6-tri -O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1-->4)-2,3-di-O-benzoyl-alpha, beta-D- xylopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate as the key intermediate. Condensation of this glycosyl donor with suitably protected L-seryl-glycine dipeptide segments, and peptide chain elongation, allowed the construction in high yield of complex structures of this linkage region.

Synthesis of glycopeptides from the carbohydrate-protein linkage region of proteoglycans.

2,3,4,6-Tetra-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-galactoyranosyl trichloroacetimidate was condensed with benzyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-xylopyranoside to give the corresponding beta-(1----4)-linked disaccharide derivative, which was transformed into 2,3-di-O-benzoyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)- alpha-D-xylopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate. This glycosyl donor was condensed with a set of selectively C,N-protected L-seryl-glycine dipeptide units. Selective deblocking at the C- or N-termini of the glycosylated or non-glycosylated dipeptide segments, and coupling using the mixed-anhydride procedure allowed the construction in high yield of partially or fully glycosylated oligopeptides from the carbohydrate-protein linkage region of proteoglycan.

Synthesis of oligosaccharins: a chemical synthesis of propyl O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1----2)-O-alpha-D-xylopyranosyl-(1----6)- O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----4)-beta-D-glucopyranoside.

Condensation of allyl 3,4-di-O-benzyl-beta-D-xylopyranoside with 2-O-acetyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl chloride in dichloromethane in the presence of silver triflate gave allyl 2-O-(2-O-acetyl-3,4-6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-3,4-di-O benzyl-beta-D-xylopyranoside (7, 83%). Compound 7 was converted in five steps into 2-O-(2-O-acetyl-3,4-6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-xylopyranosyl bromide (13), which was condensed immediately with allyl 2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-4-O-(2,3,di-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D- glucopyranoside to give crystalline allyl O-(2-O-acetyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)- (1----2)-O-(3,4,-di-O-benzyl-alpha-D-xylopyranosyl)-(1----6)-O-(2,3,-di- O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-gluco pyranoside (23, 50%). O-Deacylation of 23 followed by catalytic hydrogenolysis gave the title glycoside.

Syntheses of the methyl glycosides of the repeating units of chondroitin 4- and 6-sulfate.

3,4,6-Tri-O-acetyl-D-galactal was transformed into methyl 6-O-acetyl-2-azido-4-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-galactopyranoside and its 4-O-acetyl-6-O-benzyl analogue, each of which was glycosylated with activated, O-acetylated derivatives of methyl D-glucopyranosyluronate. The resulting beta-(1----3)-linked disaccharide derivatives were each reductively N-acetylated, hydrogenolysed, O-sulfated, and saponified to afford the disodium salts of methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-4-O-sulfo-beta-D-galactopyranoside and the 6-O-sulfo analogue. D-Galactal was also transformed into activated derivatives of 2-azido-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-D-galactopyranose and their 3,4-di-O-benzyl analogues with various substituents at O-4 and O-6. These glycosyl donors were condensed with 6-O-protected derivatives of methyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside to give the beta-(1----4)-linked disaccharide derivatives, which were selectively deprotected, then oxidised at C-6 of the gluco unit, reductively N-acetylated, selectively deprotected, O-sulfated at C-4 or C-6 of the galacto unit, and hydrogenolysed to give the disodium salts of methyl 4-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-sulfo-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-beta-D- glucopyranosiduronic acid and the 6-O-sulfo analogue.

Synthesis of heparin fragments: a methyl alpha-pentaoside with high affinity for antithrombin III.

The synthesis is described of the methyl alpha-glycoside of the pentasaccharide which represents the sequence in heparin responsible for binding and activation of the anticoagulant protein Antithrombin III. It was obtained in a yield much better than that of the previously synthesised pentasaccharide and exhibited the same biological properties.

Synthesis of heparin fragments. A chemical synthesis of the pentasaccharide O-(2-deoxy-2-sulfamido-6-O-sulfo-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-4 )-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1-4)-O-(2-deoxy-2-sulfamido-3,6-di-O-sulfo-alpha-D-glu copyranosyl)-(1-4)-O-(2-O-sulfo-alpha-L-idopyranosyluronic acid)-(1-4)-2-deoxy-2-sulfamido-6-O-sulfo-D-glucopyranose decasodium salt, a heparin fragment having high affinity for antithrombin III.

Known allyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-alpha-D-glucopyranoside was first converted into methyl (prop-1-enyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4-O-chloroacetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosid)-uronate. Acid hydrolysis, followed by treatment with (bromomethylene)dimethyl-ammonium bromide, gave methyl (2,3-di-O-benzyl-4-O-chloroacetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl bromide)uronate. Condensation of this bromide with 3-O-acetyl-1,6-anhydro-2-azido-2-deoxy-4-O-(methyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4-O-chloroacetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate)-bet a-D-glucopyranose. Acetolysis, followed by treatment with titanium tetrabromide, then gave 3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-4-O-(methyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4-O-chloroacetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate)-alp ha-D-glucopyranosyl bromide. Condensation of this bromide with benzyl 6-O-acetyl-3-O-benzyl-2-benzyloxy- carbonylamino-2-deoxy-4-O-(methyl 2-O-acetyl-3-O-benzyl-alpha-L- idopyranosyluronate)-alpha-D-glucopyranoside provided benzyl O-(methyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4-O-chloroacetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate)-(1- ---4)-O-(3,6-di-O-acetyl- -2-azido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-O-(methyl 2-O-acetyl-3-O-benzyl-alpha-L-idopyranosyluronate)-(1----4)-6-O-ac etyl-3-O- acetyl-3-O-benzyl-2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-deoxy-alpha-D-gluc opyranoside. O-Dechloroacetylation followed by condensation with 6-O-acetyl-2-azido-3,4-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl bromide provided benzyl O-(6-O-acetyl-2-azido-3,4-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)- (1----4)-O-(methyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate)-(1----4)- O-(3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-O-(m ethyl 2-O-acetyl-3-O-benzyl-alpha-L-idopyranosyluronate)-(1----4)-6-O-ac etyl-3-O- benzyl-2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranoside in 70% yield. O-Deacetylation followed by re-esterification, O-sulfation, saponification, catalytic hydrogenolysis, and N-sulfation gave the decasodium salt of O-(2-deoxy-2-sulfamido-6-O-sulfo-alpha-D- glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1----4)-O-(2-deoxy-2-sulfamido-3,6-di-O-sulfo-alpha-D-gl ucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-O-(2-O-sulfo-alpha-L-idopyranosyluronic+ ++ acid)-(1----4)-2-deoxy-2-sulfamido-6-O-sulfo-D-glucopyranose. This synthetic pentasaccharide binds to antithrombin III with an association constant similar to that of high-affinity heparin and elicits a potent anti-factor Xa activity in plasma.

Chemical synthesis of the human Pk-antigenic determinant.

Condensation of 1,2,3, 6-tetra-O-benzoyl-4-O-(2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl) -alpha-D-glucopyranose with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl chloride in 1,2-dichloroethane in the presence of 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine, silver triflate, and molecular sieve 4 A gave 1,2,3, 6-tetra-O-benzoyl-4-O-[2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-a lpha -D-galactopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl]-alpha-D-glucopyranose. Catalytic hydrogenolysis and debenzoylation then gave 4-O-(4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-D-glucopyranos e, the human blood-group Pk-antigenic determinant. A similar sequence of reaction was performed starting from 1,2,3, 6-tetra-O-benzoyl-4-O-(2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-beta -D-glucopyranose.