Synthesis of a Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) Fragment as a Potential Substrate for Mannoprotein Transglycosidases

Abstract

A Glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI) tetrasaccharide fragment was synthesized to mimic the core features of premiere model Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The salient feature of this approach is centered on the quick access to different α-1,2 α-1,6-mannosyl and α-1,4-glycosyl linkages using simple glycosylation and protective group techniques. 1D and 2D-J-resolved NMR was used verify the α-configuration for the new linkages. Tetrasaccharides in this work are useful to examine fungal cell wall glycoprotein cross-linking by transglycosidase enzymes for antifungal drug development.