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Herein, we describe the design and synthesis of a novel family of hydrolytically stable glycoclusters bearing thiodigalactoside (TDG) analogues as recognition elements of β-galactoside binding lectins. The TDG analogue was synthesized by thioglycosylation of a 6-S-acetyl-α-D-glucosyl bromide with the isothiouronium salt of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-galactose. Further propargylation of the TDG analogue allowed the coupling to azido-functionalized oligosaccharide scaffolds through copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) under microwave activation. The final mono-, di-, and tetravalent ligands were resistant to enzymatic hydrolisis by Escherichia coli β-galactosidase. Binding affinities to peanut agglutinin and human galectin-3 were measured by isothermal titration calorimetry which showed K(a) constants in the micromolar range as well as a multivalent effect. Monovalent ligand exhibited a binding affinity higher than that of thiodigalactoside. Docking studies performed with a model ligand on both β-galactoside binding lectins showed additional interactions between the triazole ring and lectin amino acid residues, suggesting a positive effect of this aromatic residue on the biological activity.

The synthesis of multivalent glycoclusters, designed to be compatible with biological systems, is reported. A variety of 1-thio-β-D-galactosides linked to a terminal triple bond through oligoethyleneglycol chains of variable lengths has been synthesized. Also, azide-containing oligosaccharide scaffolds were prepared from trehalose, maltose, and maltotriose by direct azidation with NaN(3)/PPh(3)/CBr(4). Click reaction between the thiogalactoside residues and the azide scaffolds under microwave irradiation afforded a family of glycoclusters containing 1 to 4 residues of 1-thio-β-D-galactose. The yields went from moderate to excellent, depending on the valency of the desired product. Deacetylation with Et(3)N/MeOH/H(2)O led to the final products. Complete characterization of the products was performed by NMR spectroscopy and HR-MS techniques. Their activities as inhibitors of β-galactosidase from E. coli were determined by using the Lineweaver-Burk method. The use of hydrophilic carbohydrate scaffolds for the synthesis of multivalent galactosides represents an interesting approach to improve their pharmacokinetics and bioavailability. In addition, the presence of the thioglycosidic bond will improve their stability in biological fluids., (© 2011 American Chemical Society)