Monosaccharide Binding to Synthetic Carbohydrate Receptor Microarrays.

Area of Science:

• Carbohydrate chemistry
• Materials science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Glycan detection is crucial for understanding biological processes.
• Existing glycan detection methods often lack sensitivity or specificity.
• Development of advanced glycan recognition elements is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a glycan detection platform using synthetic carbohydrate receptors (SCRs) immobilized on polymer brushes.
• To investigate the influence of polymer brush properties (height and grafting density) on monosaccharide binding avidity.
• To demonstrate the selective detection of monosaccharides using SCR-functionalized microarrays.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of SCR043-functionalized polymer brush microarrays using hypersurface photolithography.
• Controlled variation of brush height (h) and SCR grafting density (Γ).
• Fluorescence microscopy to quantify binding of fluorescently labeled monosaccharides.
• Calculation of binding avidity (Kd), Hill coefficients, and inhibition constants (Ki).
• Comparison of experimental binding data with Density Functional Theory calculations.

Main Results:

• SCR-based microarrays exhibit selective binding to different monosaccharides through cooperative, supramolecular interactions.
• Binding avidity (Kd) is influenced by polymer brush height, SCR grafting density, and monosaccharide structure.
• Monosaccharides were detected at micromolar concentrations with a Ki as low as 5 μM for α-Man-FL.
• The strength of interactions is attributed to cluster-glycoside effects within the polymer brushes.

Conclusions:

• Synthetic carbohydrate receptors (SCRs) can effectively function as glycan recognition elements in microarray formats.
• The developed SCR-functionalized polymer brush microarrays offer a sensitive and selective platform for glycan detection.
• This technology holds promise for various applications in glycobiology and diagnostics.