Rafael Ojeda

Solution NMR structure of a human FGF-1 monomer, activated by a hexasaccharide heparin-analogue

The 3D structure of a complex formed by the acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF‐1) and a specifically designed synthetic heparin hexasaccharide has been determined by NMR spectroscopy. This hexasaccharide can substitute natural heparins in FGF‐1 mitogenesis assays, in spite of not inducing any apparent dimerization of the growth factor. The use of this well defined synthetic heparin analogue has allowed us to perform a detailed NMR structural analysis of the heparin–FGF interaction, overcoming the limitations of NMR to deal with the high molecular mass and heterogeneity of the FGF‐1 oligomers formed in the presence of natural heparin fragments. Our results confirm that glycosaminoglycans induced FGF‐1 dimerization either in a cis or trans disposition with respect to the heparin chain is not an absolute requirement for biological activity.

Synthesis of heparin-like oligosaccharides on polymer supports.

The biological functions of a variety of proteins are regulated by heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans. In order to facilitate the elucidation of the molecular basis of glycosaminoglycan-protein interactions we have developed syntheses of heparin-like oligosaccharides on polymer supports. A completely stereoselective strategy previously developed by us for the synthesis of these oligosaccharides in solution has been extended to the solid phase using an acceptor-bound approach. Both a soluble polymer support and a polyethylene glycol-grafted polystyrene resin have been used and different strategies for the attachment of the acceptor to the support have been explored. The attachment of fully protected disaccharide building blocks to a soluble support through the carboxylic group of the uronic acid unit by a succinic ester linkage, the use of trichloroacetimidates as glycosylating agents and of a functionalized Merryfield type resin for the capping process allowed for the construction of hexasaccharide and octasaccharide fragments containing the structural motif of the regular region of heparin. This strategy may facilitate the synthesis of glycosaminoglycan oligosaccharides by using the required building blocks in the glycosylation sequence. Published in 2003.

Branched-chain fluoro nitro d- and l-sugars from glucose

Abstract Mixed crystals of methyl 3-deoxy-3- C -methyl-3-nitro-α- d - and β- l -glucopyranosides (1:1), easily available from d -glucose by means of the Baer reaction, were completely characterised by X-ray diffraction analysis. These diastereomeric components, separation of which could be achieved through their 4,6- O -benzylidene derivatives, were selectively fluorinated at position 6 by treatment with DAST and stereoselectively transformed into phenyl 3-deoxy-3- C -methyl-3-nitro-1-thio-β- d -glucopyranoside and phenyl 3-deoxy-3- C -methyl-3-nitro-1-thio-β- l -glucopyranoside, respectively. Fluorination with DAST of each pure enantiomer afforded, depending on the conditions, the corresponding enantiomeric phenyl 3,6-dideoxy-6-fluoro-3- C -methyl-3-nitro-1-thio-β- d - and β- l -glucopyranosides or the respective rearranged 2,3,6-trideoxy-6-fluoro-3- C -methyl-3-nitro-2-phenylthio-α- d - and α- l -mannopyranosyl fluorides. This route constitutes a simple method for obtaining fair-to-good yields of 6-fluorinated branched-chain d - and l -sugar derivatives, potentially useful as glycosyl donors, starting from d -glucose.