SIALYLTRANSFERASE-CATALYZED TRANSFER OF KDN ONTO OLIGOSACCHARIDES

Sialyltransferases catalyze transfer of N-acetylneuraminic, the most c ommon sialic acid, from cytidine 5-monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid , onto oligosaccharide chains. Deoxy-beta-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulo pyranosonic acid(KDN), the deaminated analogue of N-acetylneuraminic a cid, was converted into CMP-KDN by a chemical procedure involving CMP phosphoramidite. KDN was then successfully transferred, from CMP-KDN, onto Gal beta 1-3(2 OAc)Gal beta OCH3, in porcine Liver alpha(2-3) sia lyltransferase-catalyzed reaction, allowing preparation of KDN alpha 2 -3Gal beta 1-3(2 OAc)Gal beta OCH3 in 88% yield. KDN alpha 2-6Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc could be also prepared using rat liver sialyltransferase. ( C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.