Bifunctional dendrons for multiple carbohydrate presentation via carbonyl chemistry

  1. ,
  2. and
Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
  1. Corresponding author email
Guest Editor: B. Turnbull
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2014, 10, 1686–1691. https://doi.org/10.3762/bjoc.10.177
Received 28 Feb 2014, Accepted 27 Jun 2014, Published 25 Jul 2014

Abstract

The synthesis of new dendrons of the generations 0, 1 and 2 with a double bond at the focal point and a carbonyl group at the termini has been carried out. The carbonyl group has been exploited for the multivalent conjugation to a sample saccharide by reductive amination and alkoxyamine conjugation.

Introduction

Recognition processes between glycans and their receptors are of paramount relevance in several biological phenomena, both in physiological [1,2] and in pathological [3-5] conditions. These processes can be exploited in diagnostic tools [6,7], in nanobiotechnology applications [8], and in the development of smart biomaterials for regenerative medicine [9-12]. Beside the variation of carbohydrate residues in glycoconjugates, a key issue in the recognition process is their spatial topographical presentation eliciting high affinity recognition events. In order to better understand these phenomena, dendrimers and dendrons have been developed to provide multivalent glycoconjugates [13,14]. Here, we propose the synthesis of novel dendron structures which allow for the multivalent conjugation of carbohydrates via carbonyl chemistry.

Results and Discussion

The heterobifunctional dendrons were designed in order to have bio-orthogonal functional groups at the focal point and at their termini. More specifically, a double bond was placed at the desired matrix as the focal point for further conjugation by thiol–ene chemistry, and carbonyl groups were added at the termini. The carbonyl groups can be exploited for carbohydrate functionalization [15,16] by reductive amination, oxime or hydrazone formation to yield suitably functionalized saccharides (Figure 1). Given the relevance of L-fucose in mammal oligosaccharides, α-L-(2-aminoethyl) fucoside [17] and α-O-L-fucopyranosyloxyamine [18] were used as sample monosaccharides for the conjugation of the dendron (Scheme 1).

[1860-5397-10-177-1]

Figure 1: Synthesized G0, G1 and G2 dendrons and functionalized saccharides used for carbonyl conjugation.

[1860-5397-10-177-i1]

Scheme 1: Schematic depiction of dendron conjugation to saccharides by carbonyl chemistry.

Synthesis of dendrons

Zero, first and second generation heterobifunctional dendrons 1–3 were synthesized starting from 9-decen-1-ol (12) or selected building blocks 13 and 14 (Scheme 2) [11] by esterification reactions with levulinic acid (15). Building blocks 13 and 14 were synthesized starting from bis-(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (bis-MPA) and bromo-1-pentene [11] in one and four steps, respectively.

[1860-5397-10-177-i2]

Scheme 2: Synthesis of the dendrons.

L-Fucose derivatives synthesis

α-L-(2-Aminoethyl) fucopyranoside (4) and α-O-L-fucopyranosyloxyamine (5) were synthesized from commercial L-fucopyranose in 4 and 5 steps, respectively, as already reported by Flitsch and co-workers [17] and Dumy and co-workers [18].

Dendron conjugation to L-fucose by reductive amination

α-L-(2-Aminoethyl) fucopyranoside (4) was conjugated first to G0 dendron 1 by reductive amination in the presence of NaCNBH3 (Scheme 3). The reaction afforded the desired glycosylated dendron 6 in 27% yield. The very low yield was ascribed to the competing carbonyl reduction to the corresponding alcohol 16 as a byproduct.

[1860-5397-10-177-i3]

Scheme 3: Dendron conjugation to fucose moieties by reductive amination. Reagents and conditions: a) 4, 3 M Na2SO4, AcOH, NaCNBH3, EtOH, 80 °C, 6 h.

The same reaction on the G1 dendron 2 gave an even more complex mixture of products, identified by mass spectrometry (System Applied Biosystems MDS SCIEX instruments: Q TRAP, LC/MS/MS, turbo ion spray and Q STAR elite nano spray) performed directly on the TLC spots following literature procedures [19]. By mass values, the mixture was composed of the desired fucosylated dendron 8 as the minor product together with the monoglycosylated derivatives 17 and 18 and the alcohols 19 and 20. In order to reduce the formation of alcohol byproducts, a “milder” reducing agent such as Na(AcO)3BH was tried, but without any success.

Given the high extent of byproducts and the low efficiency of the glycoconjugation to the G0 dendron and G1 dendron by reductive amination, we decided to evaluate the possibility to obtain better conjugation yields by oxime ligation. Thus, G0, G1 and G2 dendrons 13 were reacted with α-O-L-fucopyranosyloxyamine (5) in citrate buffer at pH 3.5 [20] (Scheme 4). Due to the partial hydrophobic nature of the dendrons 13 they do not fully dissolve in the buffer, and the solution is not completely clear.

[1860-5397-10-177-i4]

Scheme 4: Dendron conjugation to fucose via oxime ligation (buffer = citrate buffer).

The dendrons 13 were reacted overnight at room temperature with α-O-L-fucopyranosyloxyamine (5) affording the desired glycoconjugate structures 7, 9 and 11 in quantitative yields.

Conclusion

In conclusion, novel G0, G1 and G2 dendrons suitable for glycoconjugation by carbonyl chemistry were synthesized. The conjugation of the saccharide by reductive amination was characterized by a low efficiency. On the other hand, the oxime ligation afforded the glycoconjugated dendrons in quantitative yields. The glycosylated dendrons can be exploited for further chemoselctive thiol–ene reactions with matrices suitably functionalized with thiol groups, i.e., cysteine residues in proteins.

Experimental

General methods

All chemicals were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich and used without further purification. All solvents were dried over molecular sieves, for at least 24 h prior to use, when required. When dry conditions were required, the reaction was performed under an Ar atmosphere. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was performed on silica gel 60 F254 coated glass plates (Merck) with UV detection when possible, or spots were visualized by charring with a conc. H2SO4/EtOH/H2O solution (10:45:45 v/v/v), or with a solution of (NH4)6Mo7O24 (21 g), Ce(SO4)2 (1 g), conc. H2SO4 (31 mL) in water (500 mL) and then by heating to 110 °C for 5 min. Flash column chromatography was performed on silica gel 230–400 mesh (Merck). Routine 1H and 13C NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian Mercury instrument at 400 MHz (1H) and 100.57 MHz (13C). Chemical shifts are reported in parts per million downfield from TMS as an internal standard, J values are given in Hz. Mass spectra were recorded on System Applied Biosystems MDS SCIEX instruments: Q TRAP, LC/MS/MS, turbo ion spray and Q STAR elite nanospray.

General procedure for levulinic acid condensation (compounds 1–3): To a 0.1 M solution of the appropriate compound dissolved in dry DCM, levulinic acid (1.2 equiv), DMAP (0.2 equiv) and DCC (1.5 equiv) were added, and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature (for 1 to 24 h, depending on the substrate). The precipitates were filtered off and washed with CH2Cl2. The solvent was evaporated, and the residue was purified by column chromatography on a silica gel column with a suitable eluent. See Supporting Information File 1 for full experimental data.

General procedure for reductive amination reaction (compounds 6, 8):The appropriate dendron (1 equiv) and α-L-(2-aminoethyl) fucoside (4, 1 equiv) were dissolved in EtOH (0.1 M in respect to 4). AcOH (1 equiv) and 3 M Na2SO4 (1% of solvent volume) were added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 2 h. NaCNBH3 (1.5 equiv) was then added, and the reaction was heated under reflux for further 4 h. See Supporting Information File 1 for full experimental data.

General procedure for dendron/ alkoxyamine conjugation (compounds 7, 9, 11): The appropriate dendron (1 equiv) and α-O-L-fucopyranosyloxyamine (5, 1 equiv) were dissolved in citrate buffer (pH 3.5, 0.1 M in respect to 5) and stirred at room temperature overnight. The mixture was concentrated and the product isolated. See Supporting Information File 1 for full experimental data.

Supporting Information

Supporting Information File 1: Experimental part.
Format: PDF Size: 167.3 KB Download

Acknowledgements

This research was financially supported by the Cariplo Fundation under the grant numbers 2010-0378, 2011-0270 and PRIN 2010L9SH3K.

References

  1. Johnson, J. L.; Jones, M. B.; Ryan, S. O.; Cobb, B. A. Trends Immunol. 2013, 34, 290–298. doi:10.1016/j.it.2013.01.006
    Return to citation in text: [1]
  2. Moremen, K. W.; Tiemeyer, M.; Nairn, A. V. Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 2012, 13, 448–462. doi:10.1038/nrm3383
    Return to citation in text: [1]
  3. Schedin-Weiss, S.; Winblad, B.; Tjernberg, L. O. FEBS J. 2014, 281, 46–62. doi:10.1111/febs.12590
    Return to citation in text: [1]
  4. Kleene, R.; Schachner, M. Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 2004, 5, 195–208. doi:10.1038/nrn1349
    Return to citation in text: [1]
  5. Ohtsubo, K.; Marth, J. D. Cell 2006, 126, 855–867. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2006.08.019
    Return to citation in text: [1]
  6. Morais, G. R.; Falconer, R. A.; Santos, I. Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2013, 1401–1410. doi:10.1002/ejoc.201201457
    Return to citation in text: [1]
  7. Cipolla, L.; Gregori, M.; So, P.-W. Curr. Med. Chem. 2011, 18, 1002–1018. doi:10.2174/092986711794940851
    Return to citation in text: [1]
  8. Sapsford, K. E.; Algar, W. R.; Berti, L.; Boeneman Gemmill, K.; Casey, B. J.; Oh, E.; Stewart, M. H.; Medintz, I. L. Chem. Rev. 2013, 113, 1904–2074. doi:10.1021/cr300143v
    Return to citation in text: [1]
  9. Cipolla, L.; Russo, L.; Taraballi, F.; Lupo, C.; Bini, D.; Gabrielli, L.; Capitoli, A.; Nicotra, F. Smart biomaterials: the contribution of glycoscience. In Specialist Periodical Reports, SPR Carbohydrate Chemistry; 2012, Vol. 38, pp. 416–445 .
    Return to citation in text: [1]
  10. Russo, L.; Battocchio, C.; Secchi, V.; Magnano, E.; Nappini, S.; Taraballi, F.; Gabrielli, L.; Comelli, F.; Papagni, A.; Costa, B.; Polzonetti, G.; Nicotra, F.; Natalello, A.; Doglia, S. M.; Cipolla, L. Langmuir 2014, 30, 1336–1342. doi:10.1021/la404310p
    Return to citation in text: [1]
  11. Bini, D.; Russo, L.; Battocchio, C.; Natalello, A.; Polzonetti, G.; Doglia, S. M.; Nicotra, F.; Cipolla, L. Org. Lett. 2014, 16, 1298–1301. doi:10.1021/ol403476z
    Return to citation in text: [1] [2] [3]
  12. Du, J.; Yarema, K. J. Adv. Drug Delivery Rev. 2010, 62, 671–682. doi:10.1016/j.addr.2010.01.003
    Return to citation in text: [1]
  13. Bernardi, A.; Jimenez-Barbero, J.; Casnati, A.; De Castro, C.; Darbre, T.; Fieschi, F.; Finne, J.; Funken, H.; Jaeger, K.-E.; Lahmann, M.; Lindhorst, T. K.; et al. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2013, 42, 4709–4727. doi:10.1039/c2cs35408j
    Return to citation in text: [1]
  14. Sanchez-Navarro, M.; Rojo, J. Drug News Perspect. 2010, 23, 557–572. doi:10.1358/dnp.2010.23.9.1437246
    Return to citation in text: [1]
  15. Paez, J. I.; Martinelli, M.; Brunetti, V.; Strumia, M. C. Polymers 2012, 4, 355–395. doi:10.3390/polym4010355
    Return to citation in text: [1]
  16. Röglin, L.; Lempens, E. H. M.; Meijer, E. W. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 102–112. doi:10.1002/anie.201003968
    Return to citation in text: [1]
  17. Šardzík, R.; Noble, G. T.; Weissenborn, M. J.; Martin, A.; Webb, S. J.; Flitsch, S. L. Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2010, 6, 699–703. doi:10.3762/bjoc.6.81
    Return to citation in text: [1] [2]
  18. Duléry, V.; Renaudet, O.; Philouze, C.; Dumy, P. Carbohydr. Res. 2007, 342, 894–900. doi:10.1016/j.carres.2007.02.003
    Return to citation in text: [1] [2]
  19. St. Hilaire, P. M.; Cipolla, L.; Tedebark, U.; Meldal, M. Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 1998, 12, 1475–1484. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-0231(19981030)12:20<1475::AID-RCM365>3.0.CO;2-F
    Return to citation in text: [1]
  20. Hudak, J. E.; Yu, H. H.; Bertozzi, C. R. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 16127–16135. doi:10.1021/ja206023e
    Return to citation in text: [1]
Other Beilstein-Institut Open Science Activities