Enzymatic synthesis of oligosaccharides by two glycosyl hydrolases of Sulfolobus solfataricus

The importance of carbohydrates in a variety of biological functions is the reason that interest has recently increased in these compounds as possible components of therapeutic agents. Thus, the need for a technique allowing the easy synthesis of carbohydrates and glucoconjugates is an emerging chal lenge for chemists and biologists involved in this field. At present, enzym atic synthesis has resulted in the most promising approach for the producti on of complex oligosaccharides. In this respect, the enzymological characte ristics of the catalysts, in term of regioselectivity, substrate specificit y, and operational stability. are of fundamental importance to improve the yields of the process and to widen the repertoire of the available products . Here, two methods of oligosaccharide synthesis performed by a glycosyntha se and by an alpha -xylosidase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolob us solfataricus are briefly reviewed. The approaches used and the biodivers ity of the catalysts together are key features for their possible utilizati on in the synthesis of oligosaccharides.