Chemoenzymatic synthesis of glycopeptides and glycoproteins through endoglycosidase-catalyzed transglycosylation

Carbohydr Res. 2008 Jul 21;343(10-11):1509-22. doi: 10.1016/j.carres.2008.03.025. Epub 2008 Mar 27.

Abstract

Homogeneous glycopeptides and glycoproteins are indispensable for detailed structural and functional studies of glycoproteins. It is also fundamentally important to correct glycosylation patterns for developing effective glycoprotein-based therapeutics. This review discusses a useful chemoenzymatic method that takes advantage of the endoglycosidase-catalyzed transglycosylation to attach an intact oligosaccharide to a polypeptide in a single step, without the need for any protecting groups. The exploration of sugar oxazolines (enzymatic reaction intermediates) as donor substrates has not only expanded substrate availability, but also has significantly enhanced the enzymatic transglycosylation efficiency. Moreover, the discovery of a novel mutant with glycosynthase-like activity has made it possible to synthesize homogeneous glycoproteins with full-size natural N-glycans. Recent advances in this highly convergent chemoenzymatic approach and its application for glycopeptide and glycoprotein synthesis are highlighted.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Glycopeptides / chemical synthesis*
  • Glycoproteins / chemical synthesis*
  • Glycoside Hydrolases / metabolism*
  • Glycosylation
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / chemical synthesis
  • Mannosyl-Glycoprotein Endo-beta-N-Acetylglucosaminidase / metabolism
  • Oligosaccharides / chemistry
  • Oxazoles / chemistry

Substances

  • Glycopeptides
  • Glycoproteins
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Oxazoles
  • Glycoside Hydrolases
  • Mannosyl-Glycoprotein Endo-beta-N-Acetylglucosaminidase