Synthesis of Sulfated Carbohydrates - Glycosaminoglycans

Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) are polysaccharides that are ubiquitous on the surface of all mammalian cells, interacting with a multitude of proteins and orchestrating essential physiological and pathological processes. Among various GAG structures, heparan sulfate (HS) stands out for its intricate structure, positioning it as a significant cell-surface molecule capable of regulating wide range of cellular functions. Consequently, investigating the structure-activity relationships (SARs) with well-defined HS ligands emerges as an attractive avenue advancing drug discovery and biosensors. This chapter outlines a modular divergent strategy for synthesizing HS oligosaccharides to elucidate SARs. Here, we provide a literature overview on the synthesis of disaccharide building blocks, employing different orthogonal protecting groups, promoters, and optimization conditions to improve their suitability for subsequent oligosaccharide synthesis. Further, we highlight the synthesis of universal disaccharide building blocks derived from natural polysaccharides. We also provide insights of one-pot method and automated solid-phase synthesis of HS oligosaccharides. Finally, we review the status of SARs of popular heparan sulfate binding proteins (HSBPs).