HYDROPHOBIC GLYCOSIDES OF N-ACETYLGLUCOSAMINE CAN ACT AS PRIMERS FOR POLYLACTOSAMINE SYNTHESIS AND CAN AFFECT GLYCOLIPID SYNTHESIS IN-VIVO

Several hydrophobic glycosides of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) served as primers for polylactosamine synthesis when added to Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The modified glycosides, containing one to six lac tosamine repeats in linear array, were sialylated and secreted into th e culture medium. The relative efficiencies of the glycosides to serve as primers were dependent on the nature of the aglycone and on the an omeric configuration of the GlcNAc residue. The same compounds were te sted for their effects on glycolipid synthesis in CHO cells. All of th e beta-glycosides significantly inhibited the synthesis of the lacto-s eries glycolipid G(M3) whereas the alpha-glycoside was inactive. The c ompound GlcNAc alpha 1-O-benzyl was the most efficient primer of polyl actosamine synthesis and had no effect on glycolipid synthesis. This c ompound may have potential for the assay of the polylactosamine synthe tic capacity of living cells.