Susceptibility of glycans to beta-elimination in Fmoc-based O-glycopeptide synthesis

Int J Pept Protein Res. 1994 Jun;43(6):529-36. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3011.1994.tb00554.x.

Abstract

In order to investigate the possible extent of beta-elimination occurring in Fmoc-based continuous-flow solid-phase glycopeptide synthesis, the influence of the pKb of the base used for N alpha-deprotection has been studied. A glycosylated pentapeptide was synthesized using 50% morpholine, 10% piperidine or 2% DBU, respectively, in DMF for deprotection. The dehydropentapeptide N alpha-Ac-Thr-Thr-delta Aba-Val-Thr-NH2, which would be formed in the case of beta-elimination, was prepared independently and used as a control in HPLC analysis; however, this product was not formed under any of the deprotection conditions applied. Furthermore, a 23 amino acid long glycopeptide from human intestinal mucin was prepared using 2% DBU as a base for Fmoc cleavage, and similarly no beta-elimination was observed. The glycopeptide products were subjected to a prolonged treatment with sodium hydroxide in methanol/water without significant formation of byproducts, and the pure glycopeptides were isolated and characterized by 1H-NMR spectroscopy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amino Acids / chemistry*
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds
  • Fluorenes / chemistry*
  • Glycopeptides / chemical synthesis*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mucins / chemical synthesis
  • Polysaccharides / chemistry*

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds
  • Fluorenes
  • Glycopeptides
  • Mucins
  • N(alpha)-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonylamino acids
  • Polysaccharides