Transient gene expression in suspension HEK-293 cells: application to large-scale protein production.

Recent advances in genomics, proteomics, and structural biology raised the general need for significant amounts of pure recombinant protein (r-protein). Because of the difficulty in obtaining in some cases proper protein folding in bacteria, several methods have been established to obtain large amounts of r-proteins by transgene expression in mammalian cells. We have developed three nonviral DNA transfer protocols for suspension-adapted HEK-293 and CHO cells: (1) a calcium phosphate based method (Ca-Pi), (2) a calcium-mediated method called Calfection, and (3) a polyethylenimine-based method (PEI).

Straightforward Synthesis of (1-->2)-Linked Pseudo Aza-C-disaccharides by the Novel Cycloaddition of Enantiopure Cyclic Nitrones to Glycals.

The novel, highly stereoselective, intermolecular cycloaddition reaction of enantiopure cyclic nitrones 8 to 1,2-glycals 9 opens the way to a straightforward synthesis of a broad class of new (1-->2)-linked pseudo aza-C-disaccharides 6, suitable substrates for selective inhibition of glycosidase enzymes. The cycloadditions occur with high stereocontrol, displaying preferential interaction between the bottom face of the glycal and the face of the nitrone anti to the substituent on C-3, with the reagents approaching in an exo fashion. The cycloadditions produced tricyclic isoxazolidines 7 that represent nonreducing pseudo aza-C-disaccharides stable to hydrolytic conditions.

alpha- and beta-homogalactonojirimycins (alpha- and beta-homogalactostatins): synthesis and further biological evaluation.

The homoiminosugars alpha- and beta-homogalactonojirimycins were prepared from a common intermediate, tetra-O-benzyl-D-galacto-heptenitol 6, by way of highly stereoselective reaction sequences involving, as the key steps, an internal amidomercuration (alpha-epimer) and a double reductive amination (beta-epimer). alpha-Homogalactonojirimycin retains a large part of the potent activity of the parent galactonojirimycin and 1-deoxygalactonojirimycin as an inhibitor of alpha-galactosidases. However, by contrast with the parent iminosugars, it does not inhibit beta-galactosidases, with the exception of the Jack beans enzyme.