Inhibition of caveolar uptake, SV40 infection, and beta1-integrin signaling by a nonnatural glycosphingolipid stereoisomer.

Caveolar endocytosis is an important mechanism for the uptake of certain pathogens and toxins and also plays a role in the internalization of some plasma membrane (PM) lipids and proteins. However, the regulation of caveolar endocytosis is not well understood. We previously demonstrated that caveolar endocytosis and beta1-integrin signaling are stimulated by exogenous glycosphingolipids (GSLs). In this study, we show that a synthetic GSL with nonnatural stereochemistry, beta-D-lactosyl-N-octanoyl-L-threo-sphingosine, (1) selectively inhibits caveolar endocytosis and SV40 virus infection, (2) blocks the clustering of lipids and proteins into GSLs and cholesterol-enriched microdomains (rafts) at the PM, and (3) inhibits beta1-integrin activation and downstream signaling. Finally, we show that small interfering RNA knockdown of beta1 integrin in human skin fibroblasts blocks caveolar endocytosis and the stimulation of signaling by a GSL with natural stereochemistry. These experiments identify a new compound that can interfere with biological processes by inhibiting microdomain formation and also identify beta1 integrin as a potential mediator of signaling by GSLs.

Alpha-lactosylceramide as a novel "sugar-capped" CD1d ligand for natural killer T cells: biased cytokine profile and therapeutic activities.

The invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT) cells have emerged as an important regulator of immunity to infection, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. They can be activated by glycolipids that bind to CD1d. The most effective iNKT ligand reported to date is alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer), which stimulates iNKT cells to secrete both Th-1 and Th-2 cytokines. Indiscriminate induction of both types of cytokines could limit the therapeutic potential of iNKT ligands, as Th-1 and Th-2 cytokines play different roles under physiological and pathological conditions. Therefore, a ligand with a biased cytokine-release profile would be highly desirable. Here, we report the synthesis and biological activity of alpha-lactosylceramide (alpha-LacCer). Our data demonstrate that alpha-LacCer can stimulate iNKT cells to proliferate and release cytokines, both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, while alpha-LacCer is approximately 1000-times less efficient than alpha-GalCer in inducing Th-1 cytokines, it is as potent as alpha-GalCer in the induction of Th-2 cytokines; therefore, alpha-LacCer is a novel compound that induces a biased cytokine release. Processing by beta-glycosidase was critical for alpha-LacCer activity. Moreover, in vivo experiments suggest that alpha-LacCer is at least as potent as alpha-GalCer in the treatment of tumors and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Synthesis of fluorescent lactosylceramide stereoisomers.

The intracellular distribution of synthetic glycosphingolipids (GSLs) bearing a fluorophore can be monitored in living cells by fluorescence microscopy. We reported previously that variation in the length of the long-chain base and in the structure of the carbohydrate-containing polar head group of (2S,3R) (or D-erythro-)-beta-lactosylceramide (LacCer) did not alter the mechanism of endocytic uptake from the plasma membrane of various mammalian cell types [Singh, R.D., Puri, V., Valiyaveettil, J.T., Marks, D.L., Bittman, R., Pagano, R.E., 2003. Selective caveolin-1-dependent endocytosis of glycosphingolipids. Mol. Biol. Cell 14, 3254-3265]. To extend our examination of the molecular features in LacCer that are responsible for its uptake by the caveolar-requiring endocytic pathway, we have synthesized the three unnatural stereoisomers [(2R,3R)-, (2S,3S)-, and (2R,3S)] of dipyrromethene difluoride (BODIPY)-LacCer. These analogues will be used to probe the role of stereochemistry in the long-chain base of LacCer in the mechanism of endocytic uptake.

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of 2-azidoethyl-ganglio-oligosaccharides GD3, GT3, GM2, GD2, GT2, GM1, and GD1a.

We have synthesized several ganglio-oligosaccharide structures using glycosyltransferases from Campylobacter jejuni. The enzymes, alpha-(2-->3/8)-sialyltransferase (Cst-II), beta-(1-->4)-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (CgtA), and beta-(1-->3)-galactosyltransferase (CgtB), were produced in large-scale fermentation from Escherichia coli and further characterized based on their acceptor specificities. 2-Azidoethyl-glycosides corresponding to the oligosaccharides of GD3 (alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->8)-alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-), GT3 (alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->8)-alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->8)-alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-), GM2 (beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-), GD2 (beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->8)-alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-), GT2 (beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->8)-alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->8)-alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-), and GM1 (beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-) were synthesized in high yields (gram-scale). In addition, a mammalian alpha-(2-->3)-sialyltransferase (ST3Gal I) was used to sialylate GM1 and generate GD1a (alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-) oligosaccharide. We also cloned and expressed a rat UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-4'epimerase (GalNAcE) in E. coli AD202 cells for cost saving in situ conversion of less expensive UDP-GlcNAc to UDP-GalNAc.

Synthesis of a water-soluble serine-based neoglycolipid which can be covalently linked to solid phases.

N alpha-Fmoc-serine pentafluorophenyl ester was glycosylated with perbenzoylated lactosyl bromide. The resulting product was coupled to a resin functionalized with 6-aminohexanoic acid and then N alpha-acylated to give a serine-based analogue of lactosylceramide. The water-soluble neoglycolipid was covalently linked to microtiter plates via its carboxyl group and was recognized by a lactose-binding lectin in an ELISA.

Synthesis of cerebroside, lactosyl ceramide, and ganglioside GM3 analogs containing beta-thioglycosidically linked ceramide.

Coupling of the sodium salt of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranose, -beta-D-galactopyranose, O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----4)-2,3,6-tri-O- acetyl- 1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranose, or O-(methyl 5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galacto -2- nonulopyranosylonate)-(2----3)-O-(2,3-di-O-acetyl-6-O-bezoyl -beta-D- galactopyranosyl)-(1----4)-3-O-acetyl-2,6-di-O-benzoyl-1-thio-beta-D- glucopyranose, which were prepared from the corresponding 1-S-acetates, 1, 3, 6, and 9, with (2S,3R,4E)-2-azido-3-O-benzoyl-1-O-(p-tolylsulfonyl)-4-oc tadecene-1,3-diol (12) derived by tosylation of 11, gave the corresponding beta-thioglycosides 13, 17, 21, and 25, respectively in good yield. The beta-thioglycosides obtained were converted, via selective reduction of the azide group, condensation with octadecanoic acid, and removal of the protecting groups, into the title compounds.

Synthesis of fluorescent and radioactive analogues of two lactosylceramides and glucosylceramide containing beta-thioglycosidic bonds that are resistant to enzymatic degradation.

Condensation of 2-S-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-2- thiopseudourea hydrobromide with 2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-4-O-trifluoromethylsulfonyl-beta-D-galactopyra nosyl- (1-->1)-(2S,3R,4E)-3-O-benzoyl-2-dichloroacetamido-4-octa decen-1,3-diol afforded S-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1-->4)-2,3,6-tri-O- benzoyl-4-thio-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->1)-(2S,3R,4E)-3-O-benzoy l-2- dichloroacetamido-4-octadecen-1,3-diol in good yield. Removal of the protecting groups, followed by selective N-acylation of the sphingosine amino group with either a fluorescent or a radioactive fatty acid, gave labeled lactosylceramide analogues in good yield. Since these products contained a beta-thioglycosidic bond between the two sugar moieties, they were totally resistant to the action of acid lysosomal glycosidases. Likewise, condensation of 2-S-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-2- thiopseudourea hydrobromide and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->4)-2,3,6- tri-O-acetyl-1-S-acetyl-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranose with (2R,3R,4E)-3-O-benzoyl-2-dichloroacetamido-1-iodo-4-octad ecen-3-ol in methanolic sodium acetate afforded the corresponding beta-thioglycosides 14 and 16, respectively, in good yield. These beta-thioglycosides were converted into glucosylceramide and lactosylceramide analogues following removal of the protecting groups and by subsequent selective N-acylation using either a fluorescent or adioactive fatty acid N-succinimidyl ester. Whereas the glucosylthioceramides thus obtained proved to be completely undegradable by lysosomal glucocerebrosidase, the lactosylceramides containing the beta-thioglycosidic bond between the lactose and the ceramide residues could be degraded by lysosomal GM1-beta-galactosidase to give the corresponding glucosylthioceramides. These compound did not yield to any further enzymatic degradation.

Preparation of defined molecular species of lactosylceramide by chemical deacylation and reacylation with N-succinimidyl fatty acid esters.

A procedure for the preparation of specific molecular species of D-erythro-lactosylceramide involving deacylation and reacylation of lactosylceramide prepared from bovine brain gangliosides is described. Lactosylceramide was N-deacylated by alkaline hydrolysis and the resulting four lysolactosylceramides, which contained d18:1, d20:1, d18:0 and d20:0 long-chain bases, were simultaneously re-N-acylated with the N-succinimidyl ester of either 16:0, 18:0, 20:0, 22:0, 24:0, 20:1, 22:1 or 24:1 fatty acid. The resulting lactosylceramide contained four molecular species of lactosylceramides, i.e., d18:1, d20:1, d18:0 and d20:0 long-chain bases coupled with the fatty acid that was introduced. Lactosylceramides prepared in this manner were separated into four individual molecular species by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Each of the purified molecular species of lactosylceramide was quantitated by HPLC after derivatization with benzoylchloride and was characterized by mass spectrometry. The yields of reacylated lactosylceramide were 38-58% relative to the starting lactosylceramide; the purity of each of the molecular species of lactosylceramide was greater than 95%.

Syntheses of lactosyl ceramide analogues carrying novel bifunctional BODIPY dyes directed towards the differential analysis of multiplexed glycosphingolipids by MS/MS using iTRAQ.

Lactosyl ceramide analogues carrying novel bifunctional BODIPY-based fluorescent tags were designed and synthesised for live cell imaging. Addition of azide functionality on the fluorophore facilitated isobaric tagging for quantitative multiplexed analysis of biomolecules based on tandem mass spectrometry.

Bilayer properties of totally synthetic C16:0-lactosyl-ceramide.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and x-ray diffraction have been used to study the structural and thermal properties of totally synthetic D-erythro-N-palmitoyl-lactosyl-C(18)-sphingosine (C16:0-LacCer). Over the temperature range 0-90 degrees C, fully hydrated C16:0-LacCer shows complex thermal transitions characteristic of polymorphic behavior of exclusively bilayer phases. On heating at 5 degrees C/min, hydrated C16:0-LacCer undergoes a complex two-peak endothermic transition with maxima at 69 degrees C and 74 degrees C and a total enthalpy of 14.6 kcal/mol C16:0-LacCer. At a slower heating rate (1.5 degrees C/min), two endothermic transitions are observed at 66 degrees C and 78 degrees C. After cooling to 0 degrees C, the subsequent heating run shows three overlapping endothermic transitions at 66 degrees C, 69 degrees C, and 71.5 degrees C, followed by a chain-melting endothermic transition at 78 degrees C. Two thermal protocols were used to completely convert C16:0-LacCer to its stable, high melting temperature (78 degrees C) form. As revealed by x-ray diffraction, over the temperature range 20-78 degrees C this stable phase exhibits a bilayer structure, periodicity d approximately 65 A with an ordered chain packing mode. At the phase transition (78 degrees C) chain melting occurs, and C16:0-LacCer converts to a liquid crystalline bilayer (L(alpha)) phase of reduced periodicity d approximately 59 A. On cooling from the L(alpha) phase, C16:0-LacCer converts to metastable bilayer phases undergoing transitions at 66-72 degrees C. These studies allow comparisons to be made with the behavior of the corresponding C16:0-Cer (. J. Lipid Res. 36:1936-1944) and C16:0-GluCer and C16:0-GalCer (. J. Lipid Res. 40:839-849). Our systematic studies are aimed at understanding the role of oligosaccharide complexity in regulating glycosphingolipid structure and properties.

Synthesis and characterization of a carbene-generating biotinylated lactosylceramide analog as a novel chromogenic photoprobe for GM3 synthase.

A new biotinylated lactose derivative bearing a nitro-substituted chromogenic diazirine was synthesized. The biotinyl group within the structure enabled the performance of a convenient assay of GM3 synthase based on avidin-biotin technology, and the Km values of this biotinylated photoprobe were determined as 40 and 47 microM using bovine brain and rat liver Golgi as enzyme sources, respectively. Furthermore, the sialylation of lactosylceramide, a natural acceptor substrate for GM3 synthase, was competitively inhibited by this synthetic analog. The reagent could be a useful chromogenic photoprobe for GM3 synthase.