Studies on the structure of neuramin-lactose sulfate

Abstract

• 1.

  1. Chemical and enzymological studies on neuramin-lactose sulfate have provided supporting evidence for the proposed structure: $\text{O-α-}\text{D}\text{-N-}\text{acetylneuraminyl}\text{-(2→3)-O-β-}\text{D}\text{-}\text{galactopyranosyl}$$\text{6-O-}\text{sulfate}\text{-(1→4)-}\text{D}\text{-}\text{glucopyranose}$.

• 2.

  2. The enzymological studies showed that neuramin-lactose sulfate is hydrolyzed by neuraminidase (EC 3.2.1.18) and that the lactose sulfate moiety of the molecule is resistant to the action of β-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23).

• 3.

  3. The chemical studies showed that during periodate oxidation of neuramin-lactose sulfate, the galactosyl moiety was protected, while in the case of lactose sulfate it underwent complete oxidation.

• 4.

  4. Synthetic D-galactose 6-O-sulfate and the galactose sulfate isolated from neuramin-lactose sulfate were found to be identical by paper chromatography, ionophoresis, infrared spectra and lack of formaldehyde production during periodate oxidation.