Synthetic lectins.
Improving on Mother Nature? The carbohydrate recognition demonstrated by supramolecular systems in water can now compete with that of natural systems, both in terms of affinity and selectivity. A synthetic carbohydrate receptor displays similar affinity for N-acetyl-D-glucosamine derivatives as the lectin wheat germ agglutinin and even greater selectivity (see picture: gray C, white H, blue N, red O).
Kubik
Stefan
S
Fachbereich Chemie-Organische Chemie, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Strasse, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany. kubik@chemie.uni-kl.de
D000117:Acetylglucosamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000737:chemistry; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000378:metabolism; D037102:Lectins / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008968:Molecular Conformation
D002241:Carbohydrates; D019040:E-Selectin; D037102:Lectins; D000117:Acetylglucosamine