Selective detection of epimeric pentose saccharides at physiological pH using a fluorescent receptor.
Epimerisation between ribofuranose and arabinofuranose sugars is crucial in several biosynthetic pathways, but is typically challenging to monitor. Here, we have screened for fluorescent boronic acids that can be used as molecular probes for the specific detection of ribofuranose over arabinofuranose sugars in solution. We show excellent specificity of the fluorescent response of 3-biphenylboronic acid to ribofuranose at physiological pH. This provides a tool for in situ monitoring of carbohydrate modifying enzymes and provides a viable alternative to traditional radiolabelled assays.
Laboratoire des Polymères, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Matthew I
MI
Gibson
Global Health Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
João
J
Neres
Global Health Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: e.fullam@warwick.ac.uk.
Elizabeth
E
Fullam
D001089:Arabinose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D005453:Fluorescence; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D015335:Molecular Probes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010429:Pentoses / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*
D001897:Boronic Acids; D015335:Molecular Probes; D010429:Pentoses; C431714:arabinofuranose; D001089:Arabinose
Biosensors; Boronic acids; Carbohydrate recognition; Fluorescent probes; Glycobiology