Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Chemo-enzymatic Synthesis of N-glycans for Array Development and HIV Antibody Profiling
Published on: February 5, 2018
Complete assignment of hyaluronan oligosaccharides up to hexasaccharides
Charles D Blundell1, Michelle A C Reed, Andrew Almond
1Faculty of Life Sciences, Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre, University of Manchester, Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, UK.
Abstract:
The glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan is involved in a diverse range of physiological and diseases processes and comprises repeated disaccharide units of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc) and d-glucuronic acid (GlcA). A molecular description of the solution conformation of HA is required to account for this biology, which is best attained using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). NMR studies of the polymer, however, are frustrated by resonance overlap arising from the highly degenerate structure. In contrast, end-effects in oligosaccharides can produce some chemical shift dispersion, giving the possibility that their conformational properties can be measured and extrapolated to models of the polymer. We report the complete resolution and assignment of (1)H, (13)C and (15)N nuclei in hyaluronan oligosaccharides with seven different naturally occurring terminal rings. At 900MHz, all (1)H nuclei in the hexasaccharide GlcA-beta-(1-->3)-GlcNAc-beta-(1-->4)-GlcA-beta-(1-->3)-GlcNAc-beta-(1-->4)-GlcA-beta-(1-->3)-GlcNAc-OH were uniquely resolved and the two central rings were found to be a good model for the polymer environment. These assignments now allow resolved, unambiguous structural restraints to be acquired on this oligosaccharide and extrapolated to models for the solution conformation of the polymer.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Oligosaccharide Assembly
Multiple sugar molecules that may or may...
Proteoglycans
Glycosaminoglycans
GAGS are found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrates, invertebrates, and bacteria. Due to their polar nature they attract water, and serve as excellent lubricants or shock absorbers in an animal body.
Hyaluronic...
Protein Glycosylation
Glycosylation occurs in...
Biosynthesis of Polysaccharides
Formation of Lipopolysaccharides

