Split-and-Combine Approach Towards Branched Precision Glycomacromolecules and Their Lectin Binding Behavior

Area of Science:

• Carbohydrate Chemistry
• Polymer Science
• Bioconjugation Chemistry

Background:

• Monodisperse oligo(amidoamine) scaffolds enable multivalent sugar ligand presentation.
• Previous methods focused on linear scaffold synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a split-and-combine approach for synthesizing linear and branched glycomacromolecules.
• To investigate the impact of branching and valency on lectin binding kinetics.

Main Methods:

• Solid-phase synthesis of oligo(amidoamine) scaffolds with azide side chains.
• Copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) for glycan conjugation.
• Split-and-combine strategy to create branched structures.
• Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) for lectin binding assays.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized linear and branched glycomacromolecules with 2-6 sugar residues.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of creating molecules with 2 and 3 branches.
• Observed the influence of branching and valency on binding kinetics with Concanavalin A (Con A).

Conclusions:

• The split-and-combine approach is effective for generating diverse glycomacromolecules.
• Branching and valency significantly affect glycomacromolecule-lectin interactions.
• This methodology provides a platform for creating complex carbohydrate structures for biological studies.