Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Chemo-enzymatic Synthesis of N-glycans for Array Development and HIV Antibody Profiling
Published on: February 5, 2018
Glycosyltransferase-catalyzed synthesis of bioactive oligosaccharides
Carel A G M Weijers1, Maurice C R Franssen, Gerben M Visser
1Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Mammalian cell surfaces are all covered with bioactive oligosaccharides which play an important role in molecular recognition events such as immune recognition, cell-cell communication and initiation of microbial pathogenesis. Consequently, bioactive oligosaccharides have been recognized as a medicinally relevant class of biomolecules for which the interest is growing. For the preparation of complex and highly pure oligosaccharides, methods based on the application of glycosyltransferases are currently recognized as being the most effective. The present paper reviews the potential of glycosyltransferases as synthetic tools in oligosaccharide synthesis. Reaction mechanisms and selected characteristics of these enzymes are described in relation to the stereochemistry of the transfer reaction and the requirements of sugar nucleotide donors. For the application of glycosyltransferases, accepted substrate profiles are summarized and the whole-cell approach versus isolated enzyme methodology is compared. Sialyltransferase-catalyzed syntheses of gangliosides and other sialylated oligosaccharides are described in more detail in view of the prominent role of these compounds in biological recognition.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Oligosaccharide Assembly
Multiple sugar molecules that may or may...
Protein Glycosylation
Glycosylation occurs in...
Biosynthesis of Polysaccharides
Proteoglycans
Formation of Lipopolysaccharides
Chemistry of Carbohydrates

