Synthesis of LacdiNAc-terminated glycoconjugates by mutant galactosyltransferase - A way to new glycodrugs and materials

Abstract

Human placental β1,4-galactosyltransferase-I (EC 2.4.1.38) transfers the galactosyl moiety from UDP-Gal to various GlcNAc or Glc acceptors in vivo. Here, we describe the construction of its Y284L mutant as a His6propeptide-catβ4GalT1 construct, in which the Gal-transferase activity was totally abolished in favor of its GalNAc-transferase activity. We used this mutant in the synthesis of three mono- and bivalent LacdiNAc glycomimetics with good yields. These compounds proved to be powerful ligands of two activation receptors of natural killer cells, NKR-P1 and CD69. A synthetic bivalent tethered di-LacdiNAc is the best currently known precipitation agent for both of these receptors and has promising potential for the development of immunoactive glycodrugs. © The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.