Carbohydrate recognition by boronolectins, small molecules, and lectins

Abstract

Carbohydrates are known to mediate a large number of biological and pathological events. Small and macromolecules capable of carbohydrate recognition have great potentials as research tools, diagnostics, vectors for targeted delivery of therapeutic and imaging agents, and therapeutic agents. However, this potential is far from being realized. One key issue is the difficulty in the development of "binders" capable of specific recognition of carbohydrates of biological relevance. This review discusses systematically the general approaches that are available in developing carbohydrate sensors and "binders/receptors," and their applications. The focus is on discoveries during the last five years.

Boron-Carbohydrate Interactions

“…[5,6] Recently, complexes between boron and sugars have become a lynchpin for the development of synthetic carbohydrate receptors. [7] These complexes involve covalent interactions that are reversible in aqueous solution. This chapter reviews current understanding of these processes, provides a historical perspective on their discovery, identifies methods for studying these complexes and classifies these interactions by carbohydrate type.…”

Design and studies of novel polyoxysterol-based porphyrin conjugates

“…Porphyrin-boronic acid derivatives are well known compounds [6,[39][40][41][42] that can form covalent bonds with 1,2-diols [43][44][45]. There was an evident concern to manage two diol functions present in the molecules of 20E and EBl.…”

Perspectives in Glycomics and Lectin Engineering

“…Four main amino acids are part of an affinity site including asparagine, aspartic acid, glycine (arginine in Con A) and an aromatic residue for interaction with glycan via hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions (71).…”