1
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Ghosh M, Raushel FM. Biosynthesis of UDP-α- N-Acetyl-d -mannosaminuronic Acid and CMP-β- N-Acetyl-d-neuraminic Acid for the Capsular Polysaccharides of Campylobacter jejuni. Biochemistry 2024; 63:688-698. [PMID: 38382015 PMCID: PMC10919079 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni is a human pathogen and a leading cause of food poisoning in North America and Europe. The exterior surface of the bacterial cell wall is attached to a polymeric coat of sugar molecules known as the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) that helps protect the organism from the host immune response. The CPS is composed of a repeating sequence of common and unusual sugar residues. In the HS:11 serotype of C. jejuni, we identified two enzymes in the gene cluster for CPS formation that are utilized for the biosynthesis of UDP-α-N-acetyl-d-mannosaminuronic acid (UDP-ManNAcA). In the first step, UDP-α-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) is epimerized at C2 to form UDP-α-N-acetyl-d-mannosamine (UDP-ManNAc). This product is then oxidized by a NAD+-dependent C6-dehydrogenase to form UDP-ManNAcA. In the HS:6 serotype (C. jejuni strain 81116), we identified three enzymes that are required for the biosynthesis of CMP-β-N-acetyl-d-neuraminic acid (CMP-Neu5Ac). In the first step, UDP-GlcNAc is epimerized at C2 and subsequently hydrolyzed to form N-acetyl-d-mannosamine (ManNAc) with the release of UDP. This product is then condensed with PEP by N-acetyl-d-neuraminate synthase to form N-acetyl-d-neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac). In the final step, CMP-N-acetyl-d-neuraminic acid synthase utilizes CTP to convert this product into CMP-Neu5Ac. A bioinformatic analysis of these five enzymes from C. jejuni serotypes HS:11 and HS:6 identified other bacterial species that can produce UDP-ManNAcA or CMP-Neu5Ac for CPS formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frank M. Raushel
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College
Station, Texas 77845, United States
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2
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The Power of Biocatalysts for Highly Selective and Efficient Phosphorylation Reactions. Catalysts 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/catal12111436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactions involving the transfer of phosphorus-containing groups are of key importance for maintaining life, from biological cells, tissues and organs to plants, animals, humans, ecosystems and the whole planet earth. The sustainable utilization of the nonrenewable element phosphorus is of key importance for a balanced phosphorus cycle. Significant advances have been achieved in highly selective and efficient biocatalytic phosphorylation reactions, fundamental and applied aspects of phosphorylation biocatalysts, novel phosphorylation biocatalysts, discovery methodologies and tools, analytical and synthetic applications, useful phosphoryl donors and systems for their regeneration, reaction engineering, product recovery and purification. Biocatalytic phosphorylation reactions with complete conversion therefore provide an excellent reaction platform for valuable analytical and synthetic applications.
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3
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Riegert AS, Narindoshvili T, Coricello A, Richards NGJ, Raushel FM. Functional Characterization of Two PLP-Dependent Enzymes Involved in Capsular Polysaccharide Biosynthesis from Campylobacter jejuni. Biochemistry 2021; 60:2836-2843. [PMID: 34505775 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni is a Gram-negative, pathogenic bacterium that causes campylobacteriosis, a form of gastroenteritis. C. jejuni is the most frequent cause of food-borne illness in the world, surpassing Salmonella and E. coli. Coating the surface of C. jejuni is a layer of sugar molecules known as the capsular polysaccharide that, in C. jejuni NCTC 11168, is composed of a repeating unit of d-glycero-l-gluco-heptose, d-glucuronic acid, d-N-acetyl-galactosamine, and d-ribose. The d-glucuronic acid moiety is further amidated with either serinol or ethanolamine. It is unknown how these modifications are synthesized and attached to the polysaccharide. Here, we report the catalytic activities of two previously uncharacterized, pyridoxal phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes, Cj1436 and Cj1437, from C. jejuni NCTC 11168. Using a combination of mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, we determined that Cj1436 catalyzes the decarboxylation of l-serine phosphate to ethanolamine phosphate. Cj1437 was shown to catalyze the transamination of dihydroxyacetone phosphate to (S)-serinol phosphate in the presence of l-glutamate. The probable routes to the ultimate formation of the glucuronamide substructures in the capsular polysaccharides of C. jejuni are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander S Riegert
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Tamari Narindoshvili
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Adriana Coricello
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel G J Richards
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Frank M Raushel
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
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4
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Riegert AS, Raushel FM. Functional and Structural Characterization of the UDP-Glucose Dehydrogenase Involved in Capsular Polysaccharide Biosynthesis from Campylobacter jejuni. Biochemistry 2021; 60:725-734. [PMID: 33621065 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni is a pathogenic organism that can cause campylobacteriosis in children and adults. Most commonly, campylobacter infection is brought on by consumption of raw or undercooked poultry, unsanitary drinking water, or pet feces. Surrounding the C. jejuni bacterium is a coat of sugar molecules known as the capsular polysaccharide (CPS). The capsular polysaccharide can be very diverse among the different strains of C. jejuni, and this diversity is considered important for evading the host immune system. Modifications to the CPS of C. jejuni NCTC 11168 include O-methylation, phosphoramidylation, and amidation of glucuronate with either serinol or ethanolamine. The enzymes responsible for amidation of glucuronate are currently unknown. In this study, Cj1441, an enzyme expressed from the CPS biosynthetic gene cluster in C. jejuni NCTC 11168, was shown to catalyze the oxidation of UDP-α-d-glucose into UDP-α-d-glucuronic acid with NAD+ as the cofactor. No amide products were found in an attempt to determine whether the putative thioester intermediate formed during the oxidation of UDP-glucose by Cj1441 could be captured in the presence of added amines. The three-dimensional crystal structure of Cj1441 was determined in the presence of NAD+ and UDP-glucose bound in the active site of the enzyme (Protein Data Bank entry 7KWS). A more thorough bioinformatic analysis of the CPS gene cluster suggests that the amidation activity is localized to the t-terminal half of Cj1438, a bifunctional enzyme that is currently annotated as a sugar transferase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander S Riegert
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Frank M Raushel
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
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5
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Wohlgemuth R. Key advances in biocatalytic phosphorylations in the last two decades: Biocatalytic syntheses in vitro and biotransformations in vivo (in humans). Biotechnol J 2020; 16:e2000090. [PMID: 33283467 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202000090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Biocatalytic phosphorylation reactions provide several benefits, such as more direct, milder, more selective, and shorter access routes to phosphorylated products. Favorable characteristics of biocatalytic methodologies represent advantages for in vitro as well as for in vivo phosphorylation reactions, leading to important advances in the science of synthesis towards bioactive phosphorylated compounds in various areas. The scope of this review covers key advances of biocatalytic phosphorylation reactions over the last two decades, for biocatalytic syntheses in vitro and for biotransformations in vivo (in humans). From the origins of probiotic life to in vitro synthetic applications and in vivo formation of bioactive pharmaceuticals, the common purpose is to outline the importance, relevance, and underlying connections of biocatalytic phosphorylations of small molecules. Asymmetric phosphorylations attracting increased attention are highlighted. Phosphohydrolases, phosphotransferases, phosphorylases, phosphomutases, and other enzymes involved in phosphorus chemistry provide powerful toolboxes for resource-efficient and selective in vitro biocatalytic syntheses of phosphorylated metabolites, chiral building blocks, pharmaceuticals as well as in vivo enzymatic formation of biologically active forms of pharmaceuticals. Nature's large diversity of phosphoryl-group-transferring enzymes, advanced enzyme and reaction engineering toolboxes make biocatalytic asymmetric phosphorylations using enzymes a powerful and privileged phosphorylation methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Wohlgemuth
- Institute of Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland.,Swiss Coordination Committee Biotechnology, Zurich, Switzerland
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Abstract
Natural nonproteinogenic amino acids vastly outnumber the well-known 22 proteinogenic amino acids. Such amino acids are generated in specialized metabolic pathways. In these pathways, diverse biosynthetic transformations, ranging from isomerizations to the stereospecific functionalization of C-H bonds, are employed to generate structural diversity. The resulting nonproteinogenic amino acids can be integrated into more complex natural products. Here we review recently discovered biosynthetic routes to freestanding nonproteinogenic α-amino acids, with an emphasis on work reported between 2013 and mid-2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason B Hedges
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Katherine S Ryan
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
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Taylor ZW, Raushel FM. Manganese-Induced Substrate Promiscuity in the Reaction Catalyzed by Phosphoglutamine Cytidylyltransferase from Campylobacter jejuni. Biochemistry 2019; 58:2144-2151. [PMID: 30929435 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.9b00189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis, Campylobacter jejuni, is a Gram-negative pathogen that contains a unique O-methyl phosphoramidate (MeOPN) on its capsular polysaccharide. Previously, MeOPN has been linked to the evasion of host immune responses and serum resistance. Despite the involvement of MeOPN in pathogenicity, the complete biosynthesis of this modification is unknown; however, the first four enzymatic steps have been elucidated. The second enzyme in this pathway, Cj1416, is a CTP/phosphoglutamine cytididylyltransferase that catalyzes the displacement of pyrophosphate from MgCTP by l-glutamine phosphate to form CDP-l-glutamine. Initially, Cj1416 was predicted to use phosphoramidate to form cytidine diphosphoramidate, but no activity was detected with MgATP as a substrate. However, in the presence of MnCTP, Cj1416 can directly catalyze the formation of cytidine diphosphoramidate from phosphoramidate and MnCTP. Here we characterize the manganese-induced promiscuity of Cj1416. In the presence of Mn2+, Cj1416 catalyzes the formation of 12 different reaction products using l-glutamine phosphate, phosphoramidate, methyl phosphate, methyl phosphonate, phosphate, arsenate, ethanolamine phosphate, glycerol-1-phosphate, glycerol-2-phosphate, serinol phosphate, l-serine phosphate, or 3-phospho-d-glycerate as the nucleophile to displace pyrophosphate from CTP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zane W Taylor
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics , Texas A&M University , College Station , Texas 77843 , United States
| | - Frank M Raushel
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics , Texas A&M University , College Station , Texas 77843 , United States.,Department of Chemistry , Texas A&M University , College Station , Texas 77843 , United States
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Baulig A, Helmle I, Bader M, Wolf F, Kulik A, Al-Dilaimi A, Wibberg D, Kalinowski J, Gross H, Kaysser L. Biosynthetic reconstitution of deoxysugar phosphoramidate metalloprotease inhibitors using an N-P-bond-forming kinase. Chem Sci 2019; 10:4486-4490. [PMID: 31057776 PMCID: PMC6482885 DOI: 10.1039/c9sc00641a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphoramidon is a potent metalloprotease inhibitor and a widespread tool in cell biology research. It contains a dipeptide backbone that is uniquely linked to a 6-deoxysugar via a phosphoramidate bridge. Herein, we report the identification of a gene cluster for the formation of phosphoramidon and its detailed characterization. In vitro reconstitution of the biosynthesis established TalE as a phosphoramidate-forming kinase and TalC as the glycosyltransferase which installs the l-rhamnose moiety by phosphoester linkage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Baulig
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology , Pharmaceutical Institute , University of Tübingen , 72076 Tübingen , Germany . .,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF) , partner site Tübingen , 72076 Tübingen , Germany
| | - Irina Helmle
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology , Pharmaceutical Institute , University of Tübingen , 72076 Tübingen , Germany .
| | - Marius Bader
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology , Pharmaceutical Institute , University of Tübingen , 72076 Tübingen , Germany . .,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF) , partner site Tübingen , 72076 Tübingen , Germany
| | - Felix Wolf
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology , Pharmaceutical Institute , University of Tübingen , 72076 Tübingen , Germany . .,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF) , partner site Tübingen , 72076 Tübingen , Germany
| | - Andreas Kulik
- Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen (IMIT) , Microbiology/Biotechnology , University of Tübingen , 72076 Tübingen , Germany
| | - Arwa Al-Dilaimi
- Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec) , Bielefeld University , 33615 Bielefeld , Germany
| | - Daniel Wibberg
- Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec) , Bielefeld University , 33615 Bielefeld , Germany
| | - Jörn Kalinowski
- Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec) , Bielefeld University , 33615 Bielefeld , Germany
| | - Harald Gross
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology , Pharmaceutical Institute , University of Tübingen , 72076 Tübingen , Germany . .,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF) , partner site Tübingen , 72076 Tübingen , Germany
| | - Leonard Kaysser
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology , Pharmaceutical Institute , University of Tübingen , 72076 Tübingen , Germany . .,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF) , partner site Tübingen , 72076 Tübingen , Germany
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9
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Petkowski JJ, Bains W, Seager S. Natural Products Containing 'Rare' Organophosphorus Functional Groups. Molecules 2019; 24:E866. [PMID: 30823503 PMCID: PMC6429109 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24050866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphorous-containing molecules are essential constituents of all living cells. While the phosphate functional group is very common in small molecule natural products, nucleic acids, and as chemical modification in protein and peptides, phosphorous can form P⁻N (phosphoramidate), P⁻S (phosphorothioate), and P⁻C (e.g., phosphonate and phosphinate) linkages. While rare, these moieties play critical roles in many processes and in all forms of life. In this review we thoroughly categorize P⁻N, P⁻S, and P⁻C natural organophosphorus compounds. Information on biological source, biological activity, and biosynthesis is included, if known. This review also summarizes the role of phosphorylation on unusual amino acids in proteins (N- and S-phosphorylation) and reviews the natural phosphorothioate (P⁻S) and phosphoramidate (P⁻N) modifications of DNA and nucleotides with an emphasis on their role in the metabolism of the cell. We challenge the commonly held notion that nonphosphate organophosphorus functional groups are an oddity of biochemistry, with no central role in the metabolism of the cell. We postulate that the extent of utilization of some phosphorus groups by life, especially those containing P⁻N bonds, is likely severely underestimated and has been largely overlooked, mainly due to the technological limitations in their detection and analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janusz J Petkowski
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - William Bains
- Rufus Scientific, 37 The Moor, Melbourn, Royston, Herts SG8 6ED, UK.
| | - Sara Seager
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
- Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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10
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Kaysser L. Built to bind: biosynthetic strategies for the formation of small-molecule protease inhibitors. Nat Prod Rep 2019; 36:1654-1686. [DOI: 10.1039/c8np00095f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The discovery and characterization of natural product protease inhibitors has inspired the development of numerous pharmaceutical agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Kaysser
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology
- University of Tübingen
- 72076 Tübingen
- Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF)
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11
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Thota VN, Ferguson MJ, Sweeney RP, Lowary TL. Synthesis of the
Campylobacter jejuni
81
‐
176 Strain Capsular Polysaccharide Repeating Unit Reveals the Absolute Configuration of its
O
‐Methyl Phosphoramidate Motif. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201810222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael J. Ferguson
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Alberta Edmonton Alberta T6G 2G2 Canada
| | - Ryan P. Sweeney
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Alberta Edmonton Alberta T6G 2G2 Canada
| | - Todd L. Lowary
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Alberta Edmonton Alberta T6G 2G2 Canada
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12
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Thota VN, Ferguson MJ, Sweeney RP, Lowary TL. Synthesis of the Campylobacter jejuni 81-176 Strain Capsular Polysaccharide Repeating Unit Reveals the Absolute Configuration of its O-Methyl Phosphoramidate Motif. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018; 57:15592-15596. [PMID: 30280458 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201810222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The O-methyl phosphoramidate (MeOPN) motif is a non-stoichiometric modification of capsular polysaccharides (CPS) in ≈70 % of all Campylobacter jejuni strains. Infections by C. jejuni lead to food-borne illnesses and the CPS they produce are key virulence factors. The MeOPN phosphorus atom in these CPS is stereogenic and is found as a single stereoisomer. However, to date, the absolute stereochemistry at this atom has been undefined. We report the synthesis of the three repeating units found in C. jejuni 81-176 CPS; one of these possesses a MeOPN group. In the course of these studies we established that the stereochemistry of the phosphorus atom in this MeOPN group is R. These studies represent the first unequivocal proof of stereochemistry of this group in any C. jejuni CPS. The compounds produced are anticipated to be useful tools in investigations targeting the function and biosynthesis of this structurally-interesting modification, which so far has only been identified in campylobacter.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Narasimharao Thota
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Michael J Ferguson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Ryan P Sweeney
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Todd L Lowary
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G2, Canada
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