Human interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a potent cytokine with immunomodulatory properties. As the influence of N-glycosylation on the in vivo activities of IL-6 could not be elucidated so far, a semisynthesis of homogeneous glycoforms of IL-6 was established by sequential native chemical ligation. The four cysteines of IL-6 are convenient for ligations and require only the short synthetic glycopeptide 43-48. The Cys-peptide 49-183 could be obtained recombinantly by cleavage of a SUMO tag. The fragment 1-42 was accessible by the simultaneous cleavage of two inteins, leading to the 1-42 thioester with the native N-terminus. Ligation and refolding studies showed that the inherently labile Asp-Pro bond 139-140 was detrimental for the sequential C- to N-terminal ligation. A reversed ligation sequence using glycopeptide hydrazides gave full-length IL-6 glycoproteins, which showed full bioactivity after efficient refolding and purification.

The main glycoforms of the hydrophobic lysosomal glycoprotein saposin D (SapD) were synthesized by native chemical ligation. An approach for the challenging solid-phase synthesis of the fragments was developed. Three SapD glycoforms were obtained following a general and robust refolding and purification protocol. A crystal structure of one glycoform confirmed its native structure and disulfide pattern. Functional assays revealed that the lipid-binding properties of three SapD glycoforms are highly affected by the single sugar moiety of SapD showing a dependency of the size and the type of N-glycan.

Human interleukin 6 (IL‐6) is a potent cytokine with immunomodulatory properties. As the influence of N‐glycosylation on the in vivo activities of IL‐6 could not be elucidated so far, a semisynthesis of homogeneous glycoforms of IL‐6 was established by sequential native chemical ligation. The four cysteines of IL‐6 are convenient for ligations and require only the short synthetic glycopeptide 43–48. The Cys‐peptide 49–183 could be obtained recombinantly by cleavage of a SUMO tag. The fragment 1–42 was accessible by the simultaneous cleavage of two inteins, leading to the 1–42 thioester with the native N‐terminus. Ligation and refolding studies showed that the inherently labile AspPro bond 139–140 was detrimental for the sequential C‐ to N‐terminal ligation. A reversed ligation sequence using glycopeptide hydrazides gave full‐length IL‐6 glycoproteins, which showed full bioactivity after efficient refolding and purification.

The main glycoforms of the hydrophobic lysosomal glycoprotein saposin D( SapD) were synthesized by native chemical ligation. An approach for the challenging solid-phase synthesis of the fragments was developed. Three SapD glycoforms were obtained following ag eneral and robust refolding and purification protocol. Acrystal structure of one glycoform confirmed its native structure and disulfide pattern. Functional assays revealed that the lipid-binding properties of three SapD glycoforms are highly affected by the single sugar moiety of SapD showing ad ependency of the size and the type of Nglycan.Supportinginformation and the ORCID identification number(s) for the author(s) of this article can be found under http://dx.

Alibrary of glycoforms of human interleukin 6(IL-6) comprising complex and mannosidic N-glycans was generated by semisynthesis.The three segments were connected by sequential native chemical ligation followed by two-step refolding. The central glycopeptide segments were assembled by pseudoproline-assisted Lansbury aspartylation and subsequent enzymatic elongation of complex N-glycans.N ine IL-6 glycoforms were synthesized,s even of which were evaluated for in vivo plasma clearance in rats and compared to nonglycosylated recombinant IL-6 from E. coli. Each IL-6 glycoform was tested in three animals and reproducibly showed individual serum clearances depending on the structure of the N-glycan. The clearance rates were atypical, since the 2,6-sialylated glycoforms of IL-6 cleared faster than the corresponding asialo IL-6 with terminal galactoses.Compared to non-glycosylated IL-6 the plasma clearance of IL-6 glycoforms was delayed in the presence of larger and multibranched N-glycans in most cases