Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Glycans are intrinsically flexible molecules that can adopt many conformations. These molecules often carry ionic functional groups that influence glycan's conformational preferences, dynamics, and aggregation tendencies. Inspired by these mechanisms, we have engineered a glycan sequence whose secondary structure can be precisely manipulated by using ionic groups. We strategically incorporated ionic substituents into a glycan sequence adopting a hairpin conformation. Complementary ionic groups stabilized the closed conformers, while ionic repulsions shifted the populations toward the open forms. External stimuli, such as pH variations or enzyme addition, enabled us to dynamically control the hairpin's opening and closing. Additionally, changes in protonation states led to glycan aggregation, suggesting opportunities for the creation of responsive glycan-based materials.
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c17992
Institutions: Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Freie Universität Berlin, CIC bioGUNE, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre de Recherches sur les Macromolécules Végétales, Université Grenoble Alpes, KU Leuven, Ikerbasque, University of the Basque Country, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias
Language: English
Subfield: Organic Chemistry
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Awards: G1470946416, G2121614283, G2262748287, G292453335, G2999990026, G3480869486, 3D electron crystallography of carbohydrates: structural diversity and radiation sensitivity, G425668148, G4325869196, G4526231891, G4860419528, Lignes synchrotron françaises à l'ESRF, Glycan foldamers: designing oligosaccharides to build three-dimensional architectures, G7084143925, G7556184027, G7833029304, Synthetischer Ansatz zur kontrollierten Herstellung von Materialien aus Kohlenhydraten, von NANO-Technologie zur BULK-Produktion, G8964069747
OpenAlex ID: W4409738755