A single sulfatase is required to access colonic mucin by a gut bacterium.

Humans have co-evolved with a dense community of microbial symbionts that inhabit the lower intestine. In the colon, secreted mucus creates a barrier that separates these microorganisms from the intestinal epithelium1. Some gut bacteria are able to utilize mucin glycoproteins, the main mucus component, as a nutrient source. However, it remains unclear which bacterial enzymes initiate degradation of the complex O-glycans found in mucins. In the distal colon, these glycans are heavily sulfated, but specific sulfatases that are active on colonic mucins have not been identified. Here we show that sulfatases are essential to the utilization of distal colonic mucin O-glycans by the human gut symbiont Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. We characterized the activity of 12 different sulfatases produced by this species, showing that they are collectively active on all known sulfate linkages in O-glycans. Crystal structures of three enzymes provide mechanistic insight into the molecular basis of substrate specificity. Unexpectedly, we found that a single sulfatase is essential for utilization of sulfated O-glycans in vitro and also has a major role in vivo. Our results provide insight into the mechanisms of mucin degradation by a prominent group of gut bacteria, an important process for both normal microbial gut colonization2 and diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease3.

Synthesis of the 3'-O-sulfated TF antigen with a TEG-N3 linker for glycodendrimersomes preparation to study lectin binding.

The synthesis of gram quantities of the TF antigen (ß-ᴅ-Gal-(1→3)-α-ᴅ-GalNAc) and its 3'-sulfated analogue with a TEG-N3 spacer attached is described. The synthesis of the TF antigen comprises seven steps, from a known N-Troc-protected galactosamine donor, with an overall yield of 31%. Both the spacer (85%) and the galactose moiety (79%) were introduced using thioglycoside donors in NIS/AgOTf-promoted glycosylation reactions. The 3'-sulfate was finally introduced through tin activation in benzene/DMF followed by treatment with a sulfur trioxide-trimethylamine complex in a 66% yield.

Synthesis of a B-Antigen Hexasaccharide, a B-Lewis b Heptasaccharide and Glycoconjugates Thereof to Investigate Binding Properties of Helicobacter pylori.

Infecting the stomach of almost 50 % of people, Helicobacter pylori is a causative agent of gastritis, peptic ulcers and stomach cancers. Interactions between bacterial membrane-bound lectin, Blood group Antigen Binding Adhesin (BabA), and human blood group antigens are key in the initiation of infection. Herein, the synthesis of a B-antigen hexasaccharide (B6) and a B-Lewis b heptasaccharide (BLeb7) and Bovine Serum Albumin glycoconjugates thereof is reported to assess the binding properties and preferences of BabA from different strains. From a previously reported trisaccharide acceptor a versatile key Lacto-N-tetraose tetrasaccharide intermediate was synthesized, which allowed us to explore various routes to the final targets, either via initial introduction of fucosyl residues followed by introduction of the B-determinant or vice versa. The first approach proved unsuccessful, whereas the second afforded the target structures in good yields. Protein conjugation using isothiocyanate methodology allowed us to reach high glycan loadings (up to 23 per protein) to mimic multivalent displays encountered in Nature. Protein glycoconjugate inhibition binding studies were performed with H. pylori strains displaying high or low affinity for Lewis b hexasaccharide structures showing that the binding to the high affinity strain was reduced due to the presence of the B-determinant in the Bleb7-conjugates and further reduced by the absence of the Lewis fucose residue in the B6-conjugate.

Galectin-Glycan Interactions: Guidelines for Monitoring by 77 Se NMR Spectroscopy, and Solvent (H2 O/D2 O) Impact on Binding.

Functional pairing between cellular glycoconjugates and tissue lectins like galectins has wide (patho)physiological significance. Their study is facilitated by nonhydrolysable derivatives of the natural O-glycans, such as S- and Se-glycosides. The latter enable extensive analyses by specific 77 Se NMR spectroscopy, but still remain underexplored. By using the example of selenodigalactoside (SeDG) and the human galectin-1 and -3, we have evaluated diverse 77 Se NMR detection methods and propose selective 1 H,77 Se heteronuclear Hartmann-Hahn transfer for efficient use in competitive NMR screening against a selenoglycoside spy ligand. By fluorescence anisotropy, circular dichroism, and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), we show that the affinity and thermodynamics of SeDG binding by galectins are similar to thiodigalactoside (TDG) and N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), confirming that Se substitution has no major impact. ITC data in D2 O versus H2 O are similar for TDG and LacNAc binding by both galectins, but a solvent effect, indicating solvent rearrangement at the binding site, is hinted at for SeDG and clearly observed for LacNAc dimers with extended chain length.

Synthesis of type 1 Lewis b hexasaccharide antigen structures featuring flexible incorporation of l-[U-13C6]-fucose for NMR binding studies.

While 13C-labelled proteins are common tools in NMR studies, lack of access to 13C-labelled carbohydrate structures has restricted their use. l-Fucose is involved in a wide range of physiological and pathophysiological processes in mammalian organisms. Here, l-[U-13C6]-Fuc labelled type I Lewis b (Leb) structures have been synthesised for use in NMR binding studies with the Blood-group Antigen Binding Adhesin (BabA), a membrane-bound protein from the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. As part of this work, an efficient synthesis of a benzylated l-[U-13C6]-Fuc thioglycoside donor from l-[U-13C6]-Gal has been developed. The design and synthesis of an orthogonally protected tetrasaccharide precursor enabled controlled introduction of one or two 13C-labelled or non-labelled fucosyl residues prior to global deprotection. NMR analysis showed that it is straightforward to assign the anomeric centres as well as the H-5 positions to the individual fucosyl residues which are relevant for NMR binding studies.

Synthesis of Fucose Derivatives with Thiol Motifs towards Suicide Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori.

The syntheses of six thiol-exhibiting monosaccharides towards suicide inhibition of Helicobacter pylori are reported. Blood group Antigen Binding Adhesin (BabA), a bacterial membrane-bound lectin, binds to human ABO and Lewis b blood group structures displayed on the surface of host epithelial cells. Crystal structures of the carbohydrate-recognition domain revealed a conserved disulfide bonded loop that anchors a critical fucose residue in these blood group structures. Disruption of this loop by N-acetylcysteine results in reduced BabA-mediated adherence to human gastric tissue sections and attenuated virulence in Lewis b-expressing transgenic mice. With a view of creating specific inhibitors of the lectin, we designed and successfully synthesised six fucose-derived compounds with thiol motifs to engage in a thiol-disulfide exchange with this disulfide bond of BabA and form a glycan-lectin disulfide linkage. Branching and extending the fucose backbone with 2- and 3-carbon thiol motifs delivered a range of candidates to be tested for biological activity against BabA.