Design and synthesis of a novel ganglioside ligand for influenza a viruses

Abstract

A novel ganglioside bearing Neuα2-3Gal and Neuα2-6Gal structures as distal sequences was designed as a ligand for influenza A viruses. The efficient synthesis of the designed ganglioside was accomplished by employing the cassette coupling approach as a key reaction, which was executed between the non-reducing end of the oligosaccharide and the cyclic glucosylceramide moiety. Examination of its binding activity to influenza A viruses revealed that the new ligand is recognized by Neuα2-3 and 2-6 type viruses.