No abstract

The iterative copper(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition (rt or microwave) between an ethynyl alpha-C-mannoside and alkyl 6-azido-alpha-C-mannoside derivatives was suited to the (1,6)-ligation between alpha-D-mannose units through 1,4-disubstituted triazole bridges, thus resulting in the formation of linear oligomers (80-90% yield) with alternating triazole and mannose fragments up to a triazolo-pentamannose derivative.

Oligosaccharide determinants of cellular glycoconjugates interact with protein receptors triggering a variety of cellular responses within a wide range of physiological and pathological processes and with exquisitely tuned selectivity. This has led to the formulation of the hypothesis that a sugar code exists and that sugar-binding proteins (lectins) act to decipher it and translate it into biological responses. Interference with these recognition events by functional mimics of carbohydrates could thus be used to modulate or alter signal transmission, or to prevent the onset of diseases. Attempts to design and prepare glycomimetic inhibitors of well-known target lectins (cholera toxin, DC-SIGN) are reviewed in this concept paper.

Acetylated pyranose glycals have been converted through a convenient three-step process into protected furanose reducing sugars. Ozonolysis of 2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-glucal or 2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-galactal, followed by treatment with dimethyl sulfide and then hydrolysis gave respectively protected arabinofuranose (6) and lyxofuranose (7) derivatives. Conversion of these hemiacetals to oligosaccharides was explored using a number of methods. Activation of 6 or 7 in situ afforded glycosides in modest yield and stereoselectivity. Glycosylation of tetraacetates 16 and 18, obtained from 6 and 7, gave similar results. However, thioglycosides 17 and 19, also derived from 6 and 7, were found to be effective glycosyl donors, producing products in good to excellent yields and with high stereoselectivities. The method was also used to synthesize a disaccharide in which one residue contained uniform 13C enrichment.

A small library of nonhydrolyzable mimics of GM1 ganglioside, featuring galactose and sialic acid as pharmacophoric carbohydrate residues, was synthesized and tested. All compounds were synthesized from readily available precursors using high-performance reactions, including click chemistry protocols, and avoiding O-glycosidic bonds. Some of the most active molecules also feature a point of further derivatization that can be used for conjugation with polyvalent aglycons. Their affinity towards cholera toxin was assessed by weak affinity chromatography, which allowed a systematic evaluation and selection of the best candidates. Affinity could be enhanced up to one or two orders of magnitude over the affinity of the individual pharmacophoric sugar residues.