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Protein-carbohydrate recognition is of fundamental importance for a large number of biological processes; carbohydrate-aromatic stacking is a widespread, but poorly understood, structural motif in this recognition. We describe, for the first time, the measurement of carbohydrate-aromatic interactions from their contribution to the stability of a dangling-ended DNA model system. We observe clear differences in the energetics of the interactions of several monosaccharides with a benzene moiety depending on the number of hydroxy groups, the stereochemistry, and the presence of a methyl group in the pyranose ring. A fucose-benzene pair is the most stabilizing of the studied series (-0.4 Kcal mol(-1)) and this interaction can be placed in the same range as other more studied interactions with aromatic residues of proteins, such as Phe-Phe, Phe-Met, or Phe-His. The noncovalent forces involved seem to be dispersion forces and nonconventional hydrogen bonds, whereas hydrophobic effects do not seem to drive the interaction.

The straightforward preparation of glycosyl neoconjugates by oxime (or hydrazone) bond formation represents a key bioorthogonal tool in chemical biology. However, when this strategy is employed by reacting the reducing end of the glycan moiety, the configuration and the stereochemical information is lost due to partial (or complete) opening of the glycan cyclic hemiacetal and the formation of the corresponding opened tautomers. We have completed the synthesis of a library of glycosyl aldehydes to be used as scaffold for the synthesis of neoglycoconjugates via oxime bond formation. These glycosyl aldehydes constitute a simple and accessible alternative to avoid loss of chiral information when conjugating, by oxime (or hydrazone) bonds, the aldehyde functionality present at the reducing end of natural carbohydrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central scaffold topology and carbohydrate density are important features in determining the binding mechanism and potency of synthetic multivalent of poly- versus monodisperse carbohydrate systems against a model plant toxin ( Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA120)). Lower densities of protein receptors favour the use of heterogeneous, polydisperse glycoconjugate presentations, as determined by surface plasmon resonance and dynamic light scattering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: DC-SIGN (dendritic cell-specific ICAM-3 grabbing non-integrin) is a C-type lectin receptor of dendritic cells and is involved in the initial steps of numerous infectious diseases. Surface plasmon resonance has been used to study the affinity of a glycodendritic polymer with 32 mannoses, to DC-SIGN. This glycodendrimer binds to DC-SIGN surfaces in the submicromolar range. This binding depends on a clustered organization of DC-SIGN mimicking its natural organization as microdomain in the dendritic cells plasma membrane. Moreover, this compound inhibits DC-SIGN binding to the HIV glycoprotein gp120 with an IC50 in the micromolar range and therefore can be considered as a potential antiviral drug. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]