Glycosynthase-mediated synthesis of glycosphingolipids

J Am Chem Soc. 2006 May 17;128(19):6300-1. doi: 10.1021/ja058469n.

Abstract

Glycosphingolipids play crucial roles in virtually every stage of the cell cycle, and their clinical administration has been proposed as a treatment for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke, and a range of other conditions. However, lack of supply has severely hindered testing of this potential. A novel glycosynthase-based synthetic strategy is demonstrated, involving a mutant of an endoglycoceramidase in which the catalytic nucleophile has been ablated. This mutant efficiently couples a range of glycosyl fluoride donors with a range of sphingosine-based acceptors in yields around 95%. This technology opens the door to large-scale production of glycosphingolipids and, thus, to clinical testing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Glucose / analogs & derivatives
  • Glucose / chemistry
  • Glycoside Hydrolases / genetics
  • Glycoside Hydrolases / metabolism*
  • Glycosphingolipids / chemical synthesis*
  • Mutation
  • Sphingosine / chemistry

Substances

  • Glycosphingolipids
  • glucosyl fluoride
  • Glycoside Hydrolases
  • endoglycoceramidase
  • Glucose
  • Sphingosine