Biosynthesis of the blood group Pk and P1 antigens by human kidney microsomes.

On human erythrocytes, the membrane components associated with Pk and P1 blood-group specificity are glycosphingolipids that carry a common terminal alpha-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D-Gal unit, the biosynthesis of which is poorly understood. Human kidneys typed for P1 and P2 (non-P1) blood-group specificity have been assayed for (1----4)-alpha-D-galactosyltransferase activity by use of lactosylceramide [beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D-Glcp-ceramide] and paragloboside [beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----3)-beta-D-Galp- (1----4)-beta-D-Glcp-ceramide] as acceptor substrates. The linkage and anomeric configuration of the galactosyl group transferred into the reaction products were established by methylation analysis before and after alpha- and beta-D-galactosidase treatments, as well as by immunostaining using specific monoclonal antibodies directed against the Pk and P1 antigens.

Further definition of the size of the blood group-i antigenic determinant using a chemically synthesised octasaccharide of poly-N-acetyllactosamine type.

In earlier studies, the minimum structure which inhibited the binding of anti-i to an i-active glycoprotein was the linear trisaccharide, beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----3)-D-Gal. There was an increasing hierarchy of inhibitory activities in the linear tetrasaccharide, beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----3)-beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D -GlcNAc , its methyl beta-glycoside, and in the methyl beta-glycoside of the hexasaccharide. The linear octasaccharide methyl beta-glycoside in this series is approximately only half as active as the hexasaccharide methyl beta-glycoside.

Syntheses of linear tetra-, hexa-, and octa-saccharide fragments of the i-blood group active poly-(N-acetyl-lactosamine) series. Blockwise methods for the synthesis of repetitive oligosaccharide sequences.

N-Phthaloylation of lactosamine gave various glycosyl donors (beta-chloride, beta-trichloroacetimidate) and glycosyl acceptors (3',4'-diol). Coupling of the chloride with a methyl beta-D-glycoside led to the tetrasaccharide fragment, beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D-GlcpNac-(1----3)-beta-D-Galp-(1----4)- beta-D-GlcpNAcOMe. Acetolysis of the protected tetrasaccharide, followed by treatment with hydrogen chloride, gave a tetrasaccharide chloride which was coupled with the methyl beta-glycoside of lactosamine.

Syntheses of trisaccharide C-D-E and tetrasaccharide B-C-D-E fragments found in orthosomycins.

1,5-Anhydro-3-O-benzyl-2,6-dideoxy-4-O-(3,4-di-O-benzyl-2,6-dideoxy-beta -D- arabino-hexopyranosyl)-D-arabino-hex-1-enitol (17), which corresponds to the B-C fragment of various orthosomycins, was prepared from phenyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-6-deoxy-4-O-(3,4-di-O-benzyl-2,6-dideoxy- beta-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl)-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranoside (16) by reductive lithiation. The synthesis of 16 involved a stereoselective coupling of phenyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-6-deoxy-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9) and 1,2-di-O-acetyl-3,4-di-O-benzyl-6-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranose (14) followed by deoxygenation at C-2'. Glycosylation of methyl 2-O-benzyl-6- deoxy-4-O-methyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (25) with 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy- 2-phthalimido-beta-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate, followed by deamination at C-2', led stereospecifically to methyl 2-O-benzyl-6-deoxy-4-O-methyl-3-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-ara bino- hexopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (26).

Glycosylation of lactose: synthesis of branched oligosaccharides involved in the biosynthesis of glycolipids having blood-group I activity.

Methyl 4-O-(2-O-benzoyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-2,3, 6-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2) was prepared in four steps from methyl beta-lactoside. Crystalline 2 was a convenient substrate for the synthesis of branched oligosaccharides derived from lactose. High-yield glycosylations were performed first at the 3'-position and then, after removal of the benzylidene group, at the 6'-position, using trichloroacetimidates of N-phthaloylamino sugars.