SCAN: Synthesis of saccharides for protein stabilisation studies

 Abstract:

Of the three major classes of biooligomers, the synthesis of oligosaccharides has proven to be the most difficult. Compared to the synthesis of peptides and nucleic acids, the synthesis of disaccharides and oligosaccharides involves the linking of more polyfunctional monomers which increases the number of possibilities for their combination and the glycosidic linkages have to be introduced in a stereospecific way.

Some of the choices, challenges and problems of the glycosidic bond will be covered in this talk.

α-D-Mannosyl-2-O-D-glycerate (MG), α-D-Glucosyl-2-O-D-Glycerate (GG) and the disaccharide α-D-Glucosyl-(1,6)-α-D-Glucosyl-2-O-D-Glycerate (GGG) are compatible solutes isolated from hyperthermophiles and present protein thermostabilisation properties. Their stereoselective synthesis and the synthesis of some synthetic analogues with interesting features will be presented. Preliminary results in carbohydrate solid support synthesis will also be shown.