The preparation of deoxy derivatives of mannose-1-phosphate and their substrate specificity towards recombinant GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase from Salmonella enterica, group B

2-Deoxy-alpha-D-glucose-1-phosphate, 3-deoxy-alpha-D-arabino-hexose-1-phosp hate, 4-deoxy-alpha-D-lyxo-hexose-1-phosphate, and alpha-D-lyxose-1-phospha te were synthesised chemically, and evaluated as substrates for a recombina nt GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase (Salmonella enterica, group B, cloned in E scherichia coli). The deoxy derivatives were all substrates for the enzyme, with slightly reduced V-max values but significantly higher K-m values tha n those recorded for the native substrate, mannose-1-phosphate. The pyropho sphorylase was used for the synthesis of GDP-mannose analogues GDP-2-deoxy- glucose and GDP-lyxose on a milligram scale. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.