One-Pot Multienzyme Synthesis of Rare Ketoses from Glycerol

A facile approach is introduced here for the synthesis of rare ketoses from glycerol and d-/l-glyceraldehyde (d-/l-GA). The reactions were carried out in a one-pot multienzyme fashion in which the only carbon source is glycerol. In the enzymatic cascade, glycerol is phosphorylated and then oxidized at C2 to afford dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), the key donor for enzymatic aldol reaction. Meanwhile, the primary alcohol of glycerol is also oxidized to give the acceptor molecule GA in situ (d- or l-isomer could be formed stereospecifically with either alditol oxidase or horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase). Different DHAP-dependent aldolases were used to generate the aldol adducts (rare ketohexose phosphates) with various stereoconfigurations and diastereomeric ratios. It is worth noting that the enzyme that catalyzes the phosphorylation reaction in the first step could also help recycle the phosphate in the last step to provide free rare sugar molecules. This study provides a useful method for rare ketose synthesis on a 100 mg to g scale, starting from relatively inexpensive materials which solved the problem of supplying both glycerol 3-phosphate and GA in our previous work. It also demonstrates an example of green synthesis due to highly efficient carbon usage and recycling of cofactors.

Direct glucosone-based synthesis and HILIC-ESI-MS/MS characterization of N-terminal fructosylated valine and valylhistidine for validation of enzymatic HbA1c assays in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus

Naturally occurring fructosamines are of high clinical significance due to their potential use in diabetes mellitus monitoring (quantification of fructosylated hemoglobin, HbA1c) or for the investigation of their reactivity in consecutive reactions and harmfulness towards the organism. Here we report the specific synthesis of the fructosylated dipeptide L-valyl-L-histidine (Fru-Val-His) and fructosylated L-valine (Fru-Val). Both are basic tools for the development and validation of enzymatic HbA1c assays. The two fructosamine derivatives were synthesized via a protected glucosone intermediate which was coupled to the primary amine of Val or Val-His, performing a reductive amination reaction. Overall yields starting from fructose were 36% and 34% for Fru-Val and Fru-Val-His, respectively. Both compounds were achieved in purities > 90%. A HILIC-ESI-MS/MS method was developed for routine analysis of the synthesized fructosamines, including starting materials and intermediates. The presented method provides a well-defined and efficient synthesis protocol with purification steps and characterization of the desired products. The functionality of the fructosylated dipeptide has been thoroughly tested in an enzymatic HbA1c assay, showing its concentration-dependent oxidative degradation by fructosyl-peptide oxidases (FPOX). Graphical abstract.

N-(1-Deoxy-d-xylulos-1-yl)-glutathione: A Maillard Reaction Intermediate Predominating in Aqueous Glutathione-Xylose Systems by Simultaneous Dehydration-Reaction

The effect of simultaneous dehydration-reaction (SDR) on Amadori rearrangement product (ARP) N-(1-deoxy-d-xylulos-1-yl)-glutathione and its key degradation products, 3-deoxyxylosone (3-DX) and 1-deoxyxylosone (1-DX), were investigated in an aqueous glutathione-xylose (GSH-Xyl) system. The yield of ARP was increased to 67.98% by SDR compared with 8.44% by atmospheric thermal reaction at 80 °C. Reaction kinetics was applied to analyze the mechanism and characteristics of ARP formation and degradation under SDR. ARP formation and degradation rate was highly dependent on temperature, and the latter was more sensitive to temperature. By regulating the reaction conditions of temperature and pH, the ratio of ARP formation rate constant to its degradation rate constant could be controlled to achieve an efficient preparation of ARP from GSH-Xyl Maillard reaction through SDR.

X-ray structure of Arthrobacter globiformis M30 ketose 3-epimerase for the production of D-allulose from D-fructose

The X-ray structure of ketose 3-epimerase from Arthrobacter globiformis M30, which was previously reported to be a D-allulose 3-epimerase (AgD-AE), was determined at 1.96 Å resolution. The crystal belonged to the hexagonal space group P6522, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 103.98, c = 256.53 Å. The structure was solved by molecular replacement using the structure of Mesorhizobium loti L-ribulose 3-epimerase (MlL-RE), which has 41% sequence identity, as a search model. A hexagonal crystal contained two molecules in the asymmetric unit, and AgD-AE formed a homotetramer with twofold symmetry. The overall structure of AgD-AE was more similar to that of MlL-RE than to the known structures of D-psicose (alternative name D-allulose) 3-epimerases (D-PEs or D-AEs), although AgD-AE and MlL-RE have different substrate specificities. Both AgD-AE and MlL-RE have long helices in the C-terminal region that would contribute to the stability of the homotetramer. AgD-AE showed higher enzymatic activity for L-ribulose than D-allulose; however, AgD-AE is stable and is a unique useful enzyme for the production of D-allulose from D-fructose.

Browning Potential of C6-α-Dicarbonyl Compounds under Maillard Conditions

In this work, the three major C₆-α-dicarbonyl compounds glucosone (GLUC), 1-deoxyglucosone (1-DG), and 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG) were synthesized and examined under Maillard conditions (aqueous solutions with the addition of l-alanine at 130 °C and pH 5/8). For the first time, the resulting color formation, antioxidant activity, and generation of short-chained α-dicarbonyls were investigated and compared to incubations of d-glucose and d-fructose. An additive effect on the formation of color, an antagonistic effect on the generation of α-dicarbonyl compounds, and a synergistic effect on the antioxidant activity could be observed for the 1-DG/GLUC combination. Despite their common degradation products, different extinctions could be measured, with 3-DG showing the strongest color formation, followed by GLUC and 1-DG. The analyzed α-dicarbonyl compounds have no direct impact on the formation of color but are precursors for most of the colored compounds. The main difference between the three substances is their ability to form different heterocyclic degradation products, such as pyranones (1-DG), furanones (1-DG), furans (GLUC and 3-DG), and the corresponding N-heterocycles in the presence of amino components. This seems to be the main reason for their varying browning potential and antioxidant activity.

Identification and determination of 3-deoxyglucosone and glucosone in carbohydrate-rich foods

BACKGROUND

α-Dicarbonyl compounds (α-DCs) such as 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG) and glucosone are markers of both Maillard and degradation reactions of sugars and also of certain enzymatic processes. However, quantitation of these compounds is not straightforward when more abundant carbohydrates are present in real samples. Therefore in this work a GC/MS method was developed to separate monosaccharides, 3-DG and glucosone and applied to analyze them in carbohydrate-rich food products. Difructose anhydrides (DFAs), known markers of sugar degradation, were also determined. The effect of time and temperature in the production and storage of these compounds was also evaluated.

RESULTS

Under optimized conditions, good separation between monosaccharides and α-DCs was achieved. Must syrups showed the highest concentrations of 3-DG and glucosone (average values 9.2 and 5.8 mg g(-1) respectively). Coffee substitutes based on carob, chicory and blends showed the highest content of DFAs. Heating and storage assays proved that production of 3-DG was influenced by temperature, while glucosone was more affected by storage time.

CONCLUSION

The proposed method allows the rapid quantitation of 3-DG and glucosone along with carbohydrates and DFAs in different food products, which is essential to determine their degradation level. Moreover, the α-DC content in several foods is reported for the first time.

Antioxidant capacity of 1-deoxy-D-erythro-hexo-2,3-diulose and D-arabino-hexo-2-ulose

The antioxidant capacity of two 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds, 1-deoxy-d-erythro-hexo-2,3-diulose (1-deoxyglucosone) and d-arabino-hexo-2-ulose (d-glucosone), was investigated. Both compounds are key intermediates of the Maillard reaction, and both possess a reductone-like structure. The reductive potential of the reductones was measured with the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay and the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent (FCR) assay. Their antioxidant capacity set them apart from their precursors and other typical Maillard reaction products. Using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, the special radical scavenging behavior of 1-deoxyglucosone and d-glucosone was measured. Both exhibited a slow, but constant, scavenging ability over the course of several hours, even days. It was postulated that this characteristic behavior is caused by the isomeric composition and the transformation to the particular antioxidant form. Reaction mixtures of 1-deoxyglucosone showed a correlation between the decrease of antioxidant properties and the decomposition of 1-deoxyglucosone.

Milieu dependence of isomeric composition of D-arabino-hexo-2-ulose in aqueous solution determined by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy

In this study, high-resolution (1)H NMR spectroscopy (600.03 MHz) and (13)C NMR spectroscopy (150.89 MHz) were used to elucidate the structures of equilibrating d-arabino-hexo-2-ulose (GLUC) (1) isomers in aqueous solution. Four isomers were formed from the investigated ketohexose, and their equilibrium is dependent on the pH value and temperature. Only hydrated GLUC (1) isomers were identified. The (2)C5-β-2,6-pyranoid and the β-2,5-furanoid GLUC (1) isomer were exclusively formed in aqueous solution. Thus, (4)C1-1,5-pyranoid isomers are predominating in the crystalline state. An increase in solution pH or temperature led to a pairwise conversion of configurative information. Thus, changing the measurement conditions permits control over the equilibrium's characteristic. Furthermore, all GLUC (1) isomers showed comparable reaction behavior regarding pH- and temperature-dependent degradation reactions.

Overexpression, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of a putative xylose isomerase from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron

Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron BT0793, a putative xylose isomerase, was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified and crystallized using polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether 550 as the precipitant. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.10 Å resolution at 100 K using synchrotron X-rays. The crystal was found to belong to space group P1, with unit-cell parameters a=96.3, b=101.7, c=108.3 Å, α=82.8, β=68.2, γ=83.0°. The asymmetric unit contained eight subunits of xylose isomerase with a crystal volume per protein weight (VM) of 2.38 Å3 Da(-1) and a solvent content of 48.3%.

Dehydration of different ketoses and aldoses to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is considered an important building block for future bio-based chemicals. Here, we present an experimental study using different ketoses (fructose, sorbose, tagatose) and aldoses (glucose, mannose, galactose) under aqueous acidic conditions (65 g L(-1) substrate, 100-160 °C, 33-300 mM H2 SO4 ) to gain insights into reaction pathways for hexose dehydration to HMF. Both reaction rates and HMF selectivities were significantly higher for ketoses than for aldoses, which is in line with literature. Screening and kinetic experiments showed that the reactivity of the different ketoses is a function of the hydroxyl group orientation at the C3 and C4 positions. These results, in combination with DFT calculations, point to a dehydration mechanism involving cyclic intermediates. For aldoses, no influence of the hydroxyl group orientation was observed, indicating a different rate-determining step. The combination of the knowledge from the literature and the findings in this work indicates that aldoses require an isomerization to ketose prior to dehydration to obtain high HMF yields.

Reactivity of thermally treated α-dicarbonyl compounds

The degradation reaction of thermally treated 3-deoxy-d-erythro-hexos-2-ulose and methylglyoxal, both key intermediates in Maillard chemistry, was investigated. Different analytical strategies were accomplished to cover the broad range of formed products and their different chemical behavior. These involved HPLC-DAD and accordingly LC/MS analysis of the quinoxaline derivates, GC/MS analysis of the acetylated quinoxalines, and GC-FID analysis of the decyl ester of acetic acid. As a main degradation product of 3-deoxy-d-erythro-hexos-2-ulose, 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural could be identified. At alkaline pH values, 3-deoxy-d-erythro-hexos-2-ulose generated various acids but no colored products. In contrast, thermal treatment of methylglyoxal yielded high molecular weight, brownish products. A dimer of methylglyoxal, first precursor for aldol-based polymerization of methylglyoxal, could be clearly identified by GC/MS.

Degradation of 1-deoxy-D-erythro-hexo-2,3-diulose in the presence of lysine leads to formation of carboxylic acid amides

A novel species of amides formed from degradation of one of the most important key intermediates in Maillard hexose chemistry-1-deoxyhexo-2,3-diulose-was investigated. In 1-deoxyhexo-2,3-diulose/N(alpha)-t-BOC-lysine reaction mixtures four amides, N(epsilon)-acetyl lysine, N(epsilon)-formyl lysine, N(epsilon)-lactoyl lysine and N(epsilon)-glycerinyl lysine, were identified and their structures verified by authentic reference standards. Amides and corresponding carboxylic acids (acetic acid, formic acid, lactic acid and glyceric acid) accumulated over time. Both N(epsilon)-lysine amides and carboxylic acids were thus determined as stable Maillard end products. Results of model incubations suggested the synthesis of amides to be mechanistically closely related to the formation of their corresponding carboxylic acids by beta-dicarbonyl cleavage. Due to the different chemical properties of all the compounds monitored, various analytical strategies had to be carried out (LC-MS(2), GC-MS, GC-FID, enzymatic determination).

Degradation of glucose: reinvestigation of reactive alpha-Dicarbonyl compounds

Maillard reactions influence the formation of flavor and color in processed foods in an important way. Reducing sugars and amino acids ultimately react to stable end products. To elucidate the complex formation pathways a vast number of experiments have been published. alpha-Dicarbonyl compounds are accepted as important key intermediates. In the present work the Maillard degradation of glucose in the presence of lysine was reinvestigated. alpha-Dicarbonyl compounds were trapped with o-phenylenediamine to give stable quinoxalines of d-arabino-hexos-2-ulose (glucosone), N(6)-(3,6-dideoxyhexos-2-ulos-6-yl)-l-lysine, 1-deoxy-d-erythro-2,3-hexodiulose (1-deoxyglucosone), 3-deoxy-d-erythro-hexos-2-ulose (3-deoxyglucosone), ethanedial (glyoxal), 2-oxopropanal (methylglyoxal), 3,4-dihydroxy-2-oxobutanal (threosone), 1-hydroxy-2,3-butanedione (1-deoxythreosone), 4-hydroxy-2-oxobutanal (3-deoxythreosone), 4,5-dihydroxy-2-oxopentanal (3-deoxypentosone) and 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione (1-deoxypentosone). Multilayer countercurrent chromatography (MLCCC) was used for the first time to separate quinoxalines from ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts of reaction mixtures. The purity and identity of isolated compounds was confirmed by NMR, HPLC-UV and HR-MS. Aerated and deaerated incubations of [(13)C]-labeled glucose in presence of lysine and degradations of glucosone and 3-deoxyglucosone allowed insights into the formation pathways. Within this context the formation of 1-deoxypentosone and the importance of N(6)-(3,6-dideoxyhexos-2-ulos-6-yl)-l-lysine (Lederer's glucosone) was established.

Reactivity of 1-deoxy-D-erythro-hexo-2,3-diulose: a key intermediate in the maillard chemistry of hexoses

Degradation of 1-deoxyhexo-2,3-diulose, a key intermediate in Maillard chemistry, in the presence of l-alanine under moderate conditions (37 and 50 degrees C) was investigated. Different analytical strategies were accomplished to cover the broad range of products formed and their differing chemical properties. These involved GC-MS analysis of trimethylsilyl and O-benzyloxime trimethylsilyl derivatives (after reaction with O-benzylhydroxylamine and N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide), GC-FID analysis of the decyl ester of acetic acid (after reaction with decyl chloroformate), and HPLC-UV analysis of quinoxaline derivatives (after reaction with o-phenylenediamine). Among the compounds identified were carboxylic acids (glyceric acid and acetic acid) that can be seen as stable Maillard end-products. However, the formation of dicarbonyls (3,4-dihydroxy-2-oxobutanal, 1-hydroxybutane-2,3-dione, and 4-hydroxy-2-oxobutanal) and of hydroxycarbonyls (acetol) was verified presenting unstable, reactive Maillard intermediates. Results confirmed that beta-dicarbonyl cleavage is a very important pathway within the degradation of 1-deoxyhexo-2,3-diulose. Other reactions taking place include enolization, water elimination, and oxidation.

Determination of glyceraldehyde formed in glucose degradation and glycation

Glyceraldehyde (GLA) was determined in glucose degradation and glycation. GLA was detected as a decahydroacridine-1,8-dione derivative on reversed phase HPLC using cyclohexane-1,3-dione derivatizing reagent. The glucose-derived GLA level was higher than the glycation-derived GLA level, because GLA was converted to intermediates and advanced glycation end products (AGE) in glycation. GLA was also generated from 3-deoxyglucosone and glucosone as intermediates of glucose degradation and glycation. This study suggests that glyceraldehyde is generated by hyperglycemia in diabetes, and that it is also formed in medicines such as peritoneal dialysis solution.

Synthesis of 6,19-cyclopregnanes. Constrained analogues of steroid hormones

A procedure for the synthesis of 6,19-cyclopregnanes is described involving an intramolecular alkylation reaction of Delta(4)-3-keto steroids with a 19-mesylate in the presence of KOH in isopropanol. Three 6,19-cyclopregnanes were prepared (4, 5 ,9); in the rat, 6,19-cycloprogesterone (4) and its 21-hydroxy derivative 5 displaced [3H]-dexamethasone from glucocorticoid receptors, the former compound being more active. Both compounds did not compete with [3H]-aldosterone for kidney mineralocorticoid receptors nor with [3H]-R5020 for uterus progesterone receptors.

Direct identification of nonreducing GlcNAc residues on N-glycans of glycoproteins using a novel chemoenzymatic method

The mutant beta1,4-galactosyltransferase (beta4Gal-T1), beta4Gal-T1-Y289L, in contrast to wild-type beta4Gal-T1, can transfer GalNAc from the sugar donor UDP-GalNAc to the acceptor, GlcNAc, with efficiency as good as that of galactose from UDP-Gal. Furthermore, the mutant can also transfer a modified sugar, C2 keto galactose, from its UDP derivative to O-GlcNAc modification on proteins that provided a functional handle for developing a highly sensitive chemoenzymatic method for detecting O-GlcNAc post-translational modification on proteins. We report herein that the modified sugar, C2 keto galactose, can be transferred to free GlcNAc residues on N-linked glycoproteins, such as ovalbumin or asialo-agalacto IgG1. The transfer is strictly dependent on the presence of both the mutant enzyme and the ketone derivative of the galactose. Moreover, the PNGase F treatment of the glycoproteins, which cleaves the N-linked oligosaccharide chain, shows that the modified sugar has been transferred to the N-glycan chains of the glycoproteins and not to the protein portion. The application of the mutant galactosyltransferase, beta4Gal-T1-Y289L, to produce glycoconjugates carrying sugar moieties with reactive groups, is demonstrated. We envision a broad potential for this technology such as the possibilities to link cargo molecules to glycoproteins, such as monoclonal antibodies, via glycan chains, thereby assisting in the glycotargeting of drugs to the site of action or used as biological probes.

Determination of aldoses and ketoses by GC-MS using differential derivatisation

A method has been established by which to determine aldoses and ketoses in plant material simultaneously. Monosaccharides were extracted by sonication with 80% ethanol and sugar oximes formed by treatment of the resultant extract with hydroxylamine and pyridine at 90 degrees C. After reaction, one aliquot of the product was derivatised with acetic anhydride at 90 degrees C, whilst a second aliquot was silylated with HMDS and TMCS at 80 degrees C. Both reaction mixtures were analysed by GC-MS in the SIM mode. Quantivation was linear within the range 1-4 microg/mL and the detection limit for monosaccharides was 5-25 ng/mL. The absolute recoveries were between 73.0 and 90.2% and the RSDs were 3.1-10.0%. This method was applied to analyse the free monosaccharides in Lyceum barbarum L.; eight monosaccharides were present in amounts between 0.26 and 368.65 microg/mg.

Synthesis of new amino sugar derivatives from keto-sugars of d-xylose

Several amino sugars and imino sugar derivatives were synthesized from keto-sugars of D-xylose through a series of reactions such as the Henry reaction, hydrogenation reactions, and nucleophilic addition reactions or substitution reactions. Thiazine derivative 15 was obtained by the reaction of the keto-sugar with NH(2)CSNH(2). Higher carbon sugar 16 was accidentally prepared at room temperature from the keto-sugar in the presence of NH(2)CONH(2). The structures of the compounds were confirmed by spectral analysis. The absolute configurations of all asymmetric carbon atoms of 6 and 8 were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Glyoxal formation by Fenton-induced degradation of carbohydrates and related compounds

In this paper, we provide a systematic analysis of glyoxal (1) formation from a range of monosaccharides and related compounds, to determine their potential role as sources of this alpha-oxoaldehyde in vivo. Substrates were reacted with the Fenton reagent (Fe(2+)/EDTA/H(2)O(2)) and the mixtures were analyzed by HPLC using the 6-hydroxy-2,4,5-triaminopyrimidine fluorimetric assay. The rank order of hexoses and their derivatives as glyoxal sources was found to be fructose > glucose = mannose = galactose > glucose-6-phosphate > mannitol. Within the pentose group, arabinose and ribose gave the higher yields of 1 followed by deoxyribose and its adenine N-glycosides and ribulose. Among the tested substrates, three-carbon compounds, that is, trioses and glycerol, but not glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, were by far the most effective sources of 1. The effects of H(2)O(2) and Fe(2+)/EDTA concentrations as well as of other metal ions were also investigated.

Semisynthetic hydrophilic polyals

Non-bioadhesive, fully biodegradable soluble polymers would be very instrumental in advanced biomedical applications, such as gene and drug delivery and tissue engineering. However, rational development of such materials is hindered by the complexity of macromolecule interactions with biological milieu. The prevalence of carbohydrates in naturally occurring interface structures suggests an alternative, biomimetic approach. Interface carbohydrates, regardless of their biological function, have common non-signaling substructures (e.g., acetal and ketal groups, secondary and primary alcohols). We hypothesized that hydrophilic polymers (polyals) consisting of acyclic units built of non-signaling carbohydrate substructures would be highly biocompatible and non-bioadhesive, while intrachain acetal or ketal groups would enable nonenzymatic biodegradation upon uptake by cells. Acyclic hydrophilic polyals can be prepared via either polymerization of suitable monomers or lateral cleavage of cyclic polyals (e.g., polysaccharides). In this study, model polyals were produced via lateral cleavage of polyaldoses and polyketoses. Best results were achieved using dextran B-512 as a precursor. The resultant poly[hydroxymethylethylene hydroxymethylformal], in agreement with the hypothesis, demonstrated excellent biological properties and technological flexibility. Materials of this type can potentially have several applications in pharmacology and bioengineering.

The interaction of per-O-acetylated acyclic 1-(1-butylindol-3-yl)-1-deoxy-ketoses with silylated uracil

The per-O-acetylated open chain derivatives of 1-(1-butylindol-3-yl)-1-deoxy-1-L-sorbose and 1-(1-butylindol-3-yl)-1-deoxy-L-tagatose, which are readily available by alkaline degradation of 1-butylascorbigen followed by acetylation, were used in a nucleoside-type synthesis. The interaction of these ketoses derivatives with bis-(trimethylsilyl)-uracil yielded in each case a mixture of (E)-2,4,5,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1-(1-butylindol-3-yl)-1,3-dideoxy-3-(uracil-1-yl)-L-xylo-hexa-1-enitol and (E)-2,4,5,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1-(1-butylindol-3-yl)-1,3-dideoxy-3-(uracil-1-yl)-L-lyxo-hexa-1-enitol, which were separated by preparative HPLC. The deacetylation of each of these compounds by MeONa in MeOH produced a mixture of 1-(1-butylindol-3-yl)-1,3-dideoxy-4-O-methyl-3-(uracil-1-yl)-alpha-L-sorbopyranose and 1-(1-butylindol-3-yl)-1,3-dideoxy-4-O-methyl-3-(uracil-1-yl)-beta-D-fructopyranose, which were also separated by HPLC, the structures were confirmed by NMR.

Convenient preparation of L-arabino-hexos-5-ulose derivatives from lactose

2,6-di-O-benzyl- (9), 2-O-benzyl-3,4-O-isopropylidene- (19), and 2-O-benzyl-6-O-m-chlorobenzoyl-L-arabino-hexos-5-ulose (20) have been prepared using 4'-deoxy-4'-eno- and 6'-deoxy-5'-eno lactose dimethyl acetal derivatives 7 and 14 as key intermediates. The synthesis of enol ethers 7 and 14 has been performed with good yields by base-promoted elimination of acetone or p-toluenesulfonic acid from 2',6'-di-O-benzyl-, and 6'-O-p-toluenesulfonyl-2,3:5,6:3',4'-tri-O-isopropylidenelactose dimethyl acetal, respectively. The epoxidation with MCPBA of 7 and 14 in methanol or dichloromethane furnishes C-5'-methoxy and C-5'-m-chlorobenzoyloxy derivatives, easily transformed with good yields into L-arabino 5-ketoaldohexoses 9, 19 and 20.

Detection of Amadori compounds by capillary electrophoresis coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

Capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry (CE-MS) is reported for the first time as an alternative and powerful analytical method for the characterization and monitoring of N-substituted 1-amino-1-deoxyketoses (Amadori compounds). It allows rapid separation and identification of Amadori compounds, while benefiting from the well-known advantages of MS, such as specificity and sensitivity. Amadori compounds of several amino acids, such as glycine, valine, isoleucine, methionine, proline, and phenylalanine, as well as a cysteine-derived compound, were separated and/or discriminated using CE-MS/MS under standard conditions. The technique may also be useful to study the stability and degradation kinetics of other labile charged Maillard intermediates that play an important role in food and medical science.

Stereoselective synthesis of 2,2-bis(C-branched-chain)glucopyranosid-3-ulose via an autoxidation-Michael addition reaction

2,2-Bis(C-branched-chain)glucopyranosid-3-uloses, designed for the preparation of biologically active natural product iridoid derivatives, are synthesized selectively by the new reaction of butenolide-containing sugar with active methylene compounds, and the new reaction is clarified as autoxidation followed by Michael addition of carbanion.

Novel autoxidation and Michael addition of a butenolide-containing sugar leading to a C-branched-chain glucopyranosidulose, and X-ray structure of intermediates

A butenolide-containing sugar available from the aldol condensation of methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-alpha-D-glucopyranosid-2-ulose with diethyl malonate is autoxidized at the C-3 position into the corresponding alpha,beta-unsaturated gamma-lactone sugar by air, which subsequently undergoes 1,4-conjugate (Michael) addition of hydroxide ion (or water) leading to a C-branched-chain glucopyranosidulose. The autoxidations are also performed in weakly basic, neutral and weakly acidic medium, respectively.

Iodomethyl group as a hydroxymethyl synthetic equivalent: application to the syntheses of D-manno-hept-2-ulose and l-fructose derivatives

The one-carbon elongation of aldoses to ketoses using iodomethyllithium as the key reagent in the homologation step is exemplified by the preparation of two carbohydrates of chemical and biological interests: d-manno-hept-2-ulose from d-mannose and l-fructose from l-arabinose.

Kinetic modeling of reactions in heated monosaccharide-casein systems

In the present study, a kinetic model of the Maillard reaction occurring in heated monosaccharide-casein systems was proposed. Its parameters, the reaction rate constants, were estimated via multiresponse modeling. The determinant criterion was used as the statistical fit criterion instead of the familiar least squares to avoid statistical problems. The kinetic model was extensively tested by varying the reaction conditions. Different sugars (glucose, fructose, galactose, and tagatose) were studied regarding their effect on the reaction kinetics. This study has shown the power of multiresponse modeling for the unraveling of complicated reaction routes as occur in the Maillard reaction. The iterative process of proposing a model, confronting it with experiments, and criticizing the model was passed through four times to arrive at a model that was largely consistent with all results obtained. A striking difference was found between aldose and ketose sugars as suggested by the modeling results: not the ketoses themselves but only their reaction products were found to be reactive in the Maillard reaction.

Enzymatic synthesis of D-glucosone 6-phosphate (D-arabino-hexos-2-ulose 6-(dihydrogen phosphate)) and NMR analysis of its isomeric forms

D-Glucosone 6-phosphate (D-arabino-hexos-2-ulose 6-(dihydrogen phosphate)) was prepared from D-glucosone (D-arabino-hexos-2-ulose) by enzymatic conversion with hexokinase. The isomeric composition of D-glucosone 6-phosphate in aqueous solution was quantitatively determined by NMR spectroscopy and compared to D-glucosone. The main isomers are the alpha-anomer (58%) and the beta-anomer (28%) of the hydrated pyranose form, and the beta-D-fructofuranose form (14%).

Heterocyclization of 3-deoxy-D-erythro-hexos-2-ulose-1,2-bis(thiosemicarbazone). Crystal structure of the major diastereomer

Both thiosemicarbazone groups of the derivative 1 of 3-deoxy-D-erythro-hexos-2-ulose underwent, on acetylation, a heterocyclization process to give (5R,5'R)-2,2'-diacetamido-4,4'-di-N-acetyl-5'-(1-deoxy-2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-D-erythritol-1-yl)-5,5'-bis(1,3,4-thiadiazoline) (2) as a major product. The X-ray diffraction data of a single crystal of 2 indicated the R,R configuration for the stereocenters of the thiadiazoline rings (C-5 and C-5'). In the solid state, 2 adopts a sickle conformation (by clockwise rotation of the C-2-C-3 axis of the sugar chain) which has a S//O 1,3-parallel interaction. In solution, as determined by (1)H NMR spectroscopy which included NOE experiments, a similar sickle conformation was observed. From the reaction mixture of acetylation of 1 was isolated the bis(thiadiazoline) 3 as a by-product. The configuration of the C-5 and C-5' stereocenters of 3 were respectively assigned as S,R by comparison of the physical and spectroscopic data of this compound with those of 2.

3-deoxypentosulose: an alpha-dicarbonyl compound predominating in nonenzymatic browning of oligosaccharides in aqueous solution

The thermal degradation of D-glucose, maltose, and maltotriose in aqueous solution was investigated under caramelization (no glycine) and Maillard (with glycine) conditions. Degradation of the sugar and alpha-dicarbonyls product was monitored. Under both caramelization and Maillard reaction conditions, 3-deoxypentosulose was the predominating alpha-dicarbonyl compound formed from maltose and maltotriose. In the absence of an amino compound, however, 3-deoxypentosulose is formed in much lower concentration. It was concluded that 3-deoxypentosulose is formed by a pathway specific for oligo- and polysaccharides since this alpha-dicarbonyl is formed from the alpha-1-->4 glucans such as maltose and maltotriose but not from glucose. For its formation, a retro Claisen reaction of an enolization product of 1-amino-1,4-dideoxyhexosulose is proposed as the route to its formation. 1-Amino-1,4-dideoxyhexosulose could be formed by vinylogous alpha-elimination from the 2,3-enediol structure after Amadori rearrangement, favored by planar alignment of the bonds between C1 and C4. Subsequent rearrangement by keto-enoltautomerization leads to a 1-imino-3-keto structure. In this structure, attack of a hydroxyl anion, provided by water at neutral pH, could cause a splitting off of the C1. This reaction gives rise to formic acid or formamide and a pentose derivative, which reacts further to give 3-deoxypentosulose.

In situ product removal of ketoses by immobilized 3-amino phenyl boronic acid: effect of immobilization method on pH profile

The use of polymeric derivatives of phenylboronic acid (PBA) as an effective means for specific in situ product removal of ketoses from aldose-containing reaction mixtures, strongly depends on the retention of selective binding of ketoses exhibited by soluble PBA and 3-amino PBA, by their polymeric, water insoluble analogs. In this communication we demonstrate that immobilization chemistry has a strong effect on ketose preferred binding by polymeric PBA derivatives. Our results indicate that for the preparation of an effective and more specific adsorbent, 3-amino PBA should be coupled to the polymeric carrier via alkylamino chemistry and not via the commonly employed amido derivative. Immobilized alkylamino-PBA exhibited selective fructose and xylulose binding throughout glucose and xylose isomerization processes at the pH range of 7.0-8.0.

Identification and quantification of phosphatidylethanolamine-derived glucosylamines and aminoketoses from human erythrocytes--influence of glycation products on lipid peroxidation

While the Maillard reaction of amino acids and proteins as well as its consequences in vivo has been thoroughly investigated, little attention has so far been paid to the glycation of aminophospholipids such as phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) or phosphatidylserine (PS), which are essential for structure and functionality of biological membranes. PE-derived glucosylamines (Schiff-PEs) and aminoketoses (Amadori-PEs) have now for the first time been simultaneously identified and quantified in erythrocytes from diabetics and healthy individuals by liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-(ESI)MS). The amounts of glycated PE (gPE) were significantly higher in diabetics (0.18-34.2 mol% Schiff-PE and 0.047-0.375 mol% Amadori-PE) than in controls (0.12-3.99 mol% Schiff-PE and 0.018-0.055 mol% Amadori-PE). A positive correlation between fructosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) and the gPE levels was established. No advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) like 5-hydroxymethylpyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (pyrrole-PE), carboxymethyl (CM-PE), or carboxyethyl (CE-PE) derivatives were detected. To investigate the influence of gPE on lipid peroxidation of biological membranes, liposomes consisting of soy-PE and synthetically prepared Amadori-PE (16:0-16:0) were incubated for several days and the formation of oxidation products was monitored. It could be shown that Amadori-PE extensively promotes lipid peroxidation even in the absence of transition metal ions like Cu(2+) and Fe(3+). Oxidative damage to membrane lipids therefore is supposed to be at least partially caused by the glycation of aminophospholipids.

Chemical synthesis of linear and cyclic unnatural oligosaccharides by iterative glycosidation of ketoses

The development of an efficient method for the stereoselective synthesis of alpha-D-(2-->1)-linked ketoside oligomers is described. The method is based on an iterative protocol composed of two key steps: a) the coupling of a thiazolylketosyl phosphite donor with an hydroxymethylketoside acceptor; and b) the introduction of the hydroxy-methyl group at the anomeric carbon atom of the resulting oligomer. To highlight its efficiency, the protocol was used in the assembly of D-galacto-2-heptulopyranose-containing oligoketosides through alpha-(2-->1) linkages up to the pentameric stage. The yield of the isolated oligomers ranged from 48 % in the first cycle to 29% in the fourth cycle. Having employed a pentenyl-substituted hydroxymethylketoside acceptor in the first cycle, all the derived oligomers contained the pentenyl group at their reducing end. This group was exploited to transform the linear oligomers into cyclic products through intramolecular glycosidation. The major product derived from the linear trisaccharide was confirmed by X-ray crystallography to be the cyclotris-(2-->1)-(alpha-D-galacto-2-heptulopyranosyl). The structure of this compound was essentially that of a [9]crown-3 ether bearing three galactopyranose rings spiroanellated in a propellerlike fashion. This arrangement of carbohydrate units linked to the crown ether created a densely alkoxylated cavity suitable for the encapsulation of alkali-metal cations (Li, Na, K, Ca, Mg).

Synthesis of branched-chain sugar derivatives from 1,2;5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-ribo-hexofuranos-3-ulose and 1,2;4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-erythro-2-hexulopyranos-3-ulose

A facile method for the formation of branched-chain sugar derivatives is described involving the reaction of lithium dianions and carboxylic acids with keto-sugar derivatives. Acetic, propanoic, phenylacetic, 3,3-dimethylacrylic, crotonic and sorbic acids were the acids used for the preparation of the lithium dianions, and glucose and fructose were used for preparation of the keto derivatives.

N-Glycosidation of D-arabino-hex-2-ulosonic acid

Two approaches to N-functionalized D-arabino-hex-2-ulosonic acid derivatives were established by nucleophilic substitution of methyl (3,4,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-arabino-hex-2-ulopyranosyl)onate bromide (1). Reaction of 1 with amino compounds in the presence of mercury(II) cyanide led to the 2,3-cis configured beta-D-arabino N-glycosides. On the other hand, the reaction of bromide 1 with azide, followed by catalytic hydrogenation led to 2,3-trans alpha-D-arabino glycosyl amine methyl 3,4,5-tri-O-acetyl-2-amino-alpha-D-arabino-hex-2-ulopyranosonate, which was easily rearranged to the thermodynamically more stable beta-D-arabino N-acetyl derivative methyl 4,5-di-O-acetyl-2-acetylamino-3-hydroxy-beta-D-arabino-hex-2-ulopyranosonate. The assignment of configuration of the tertiary anomeric centre and conformation of all products was based on 1H NMR H,H coupling constants and NOE difference experiments.

Synthesis of 1-deoxy-D-erythro-hexo-2,3-diulose, a major hexose Maillard intermediate

1-Deoxy-D-erythro-hexo-2,3-diulose (1-DG) was prepared by the reaction of ethoxyvinyllithium with an erythronolactone derivative. Characterization by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and NOE difference experiments revealed the 2C5-chair beta-pyranose as the major isomer in solution. Experiments assessing browning and polymerization reactivity proved 1-DG to be a much more potent protein modifier than 3-deoxy-D-erythro-hexos-2-ulose.

Synthesis of furanose derivatives of 3-deoxy-D-erythro-2-hexulosonic acid and their 3-bromo and 3-deuterio analogs

Methanolysis of 2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-2,3-dibromo-3-deoxy-D-altrono-1,5-lactone gave methyl 3-bromo-3-deoxy-2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-ribo-hex-2-ulofuranosonat e (3) and the anomeric mixture of the analogous 4,6-di-O-benzoyl derivative, having HO-2 free. Compound 3 was subjected to debromination with tributyltin hydride and tributyltin deuteride in the presence of 2,2'-azo-bisisobutyronitrile affording, respectively, the corresponding derivatives of 3-deoxy-D-erythro-2-hexulosonic acid and its 3-deuterio analog. The structure of the products and intermediates was established by spectroscopic methods and chemical transformations.

Influence of transketolase substrates on its conformation

Dynamics stimulation of the holotransketolase molecule revealed that the enzyme's conformation in crystal was different from that in solution. It was shown also that dissolved holotransketolase can bind aldose (the acceptor substrate) even in the absence of ketose (the donor substrate). The holotransketolase conformation did not change upon aldose binding unlike in the case of ketose binding/cleavage. Therefore the conformation of a catalytic complex of holotransketolase with an intermediate-i.e., a glycolaldehyde residue formed upon binding and subsequent cleavage of ketose-differed, at least in solution, from the conformation of both the free and aldose-complexed holotransketolase. Some structural peculiarities of the holotransketolase with the intermediate were established by means of molecular dynamics stimulation.

Mechanism of autoxidative glycosylation: identification of glyoxal and arabinose as intermediates in the autoxidative modification of proteins by glucose

Glycation and oxidation reactions contribute to protein modification in aging and diabetes. Formation of dicarbonyl sugars during autoxidation of glucose is the hypothetical first step in the autoxidative glycosylation and subsequent browning of proteins by glucose [Wolff, S. P., & Dean, R. T. (1987) Biochem. J. 245, 243-250]. In order to identify the dicarbonyl sugar(s) formed during autoxidation of glucose under physiological conditions, glucose was incubated in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) at 37 degrees C under air (oxidative conditions) or nitrogen with transition metal chelators (antioxidative conditions). Dicarbonyl compounds were analyzed spectrophotometrically and by HPLC after reaction with Girard-T reagent. Carbohydrates were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Both dicarbonyl sugar and arabinose concentrations increased with time and glucose concentration in incubations conducted under oxidative conditions; only trace amounts of these products were detected in glucose incubated under antioxidative conditions. HPLC analysis of adducts formed with Girard-T reagent indicated that glyoxal was the only alpha-dicarbonyl sugar formed on autoxidation of glucose. Glyoxal and arabinose accounted for > or = 50% of the glucose lost during a 21 day incubation. Neither glucosone nor its degradation product, ribulose, was detectable. Reaction of glyoxal with RNase yielded the glycoxidation product, N epsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine, while arabinose is a source of pentosidine. Our results implicate glyoxal and arabinose as intermediates in the browning and crosslinking of proteins by glucose under oxidative conditions. They also provide a mechanism by which antioxidants and dicarbonyl trapping reagents, such as aminoguanidine, limit glycoxidation reactions and support further evaluation of these types of compounds for inhibition of chemical modification and crosslinking of proteins during aging and diabetes.

Chemistry of the fructosamine assay: D-glucosone is the product of oxidation of Amadori compounds

The chemistry of the fructosamine assay was studied by using the Amadori compound, N alpha-formyl-N epsilon-fructose-lysine (fFL), an analog of glycated lysine residues in protein. Previously (Clin Chem 1993;39:2460-5), we reported that free lysine was formed from fFL at 70% yield during incubation with alkaline nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) under the conditions routinely used for the fructosamine assay (sodium carbonate buffer, pH 10.35 at 37 degrees C). Here, we show that D-glucosone is the primary carbohydrate oxidation product formed from Amadori compounds in the fructosamine assay. Glucosone, which decomposes under alkaline assay conditions with a half-life of < 30 min, reaches a maximum concentration of approximately 50% of the initial fFL concentration after 10 min of incubation. Like fFL, glucosone reduces NBT to the purple monoformazan dye, but its decomposition is not accelerated by the presence of NBT. The dicarbonyl-trapping reagent, aminoguanidine, inhibits the fructosamine assay by approximately 25% when fFL is the substrate, but by nearly 100% with glucosone as substrate. Studies with serum samples from diabetics and nondiabetics indicate that glucosone formation does not have a significant effect on the clinical usefulness of the fructosamine assay; however, corrections for glucosone formation may be required when the assay is used for estimating the extent of glycation of proteins.

Theoretical examination of the mechanism of aldose-ketose isomerization

Two mechanisms for an aldose-ketose isomerization have been examined using high level ab initio and semiempirical molecular orbital methods. The proton transfer pathway via an enediol intermediate is shown to be favored in the absence of a metal ion, while the hydride transfer pathway becomes favored in the presence of a metal ion. Our calculations explain why the proton transfer pathway is operative in most aldose-ketose isomerization reactions. These calculations also provide further support for the previously proposed metal ion-mediated hydride transfer mechanism for xylose isomerase.

The reaction of some dicarbonyl sugars with aminoguanidine

The reactions of aminoguanidine (guanylhydrazine) with 3-deoxy-D-erythro-hexos-2-ulose (1a), 3-deoxy-D-glycero-pentose-2-ulose (1b), D-erythro-hexos-2-ulose (1c), and D-glycero-pentose-2-ulose (1d) were examined at 37 degrees at a solution pH of 7.0 (phosphate buffer). For 1a and 1b, two major products were observed and shown respectively to be the 5- and 6-substituted 3-amino-1,2,4-triazine derivatives. The ratios of the products were independent of the amount of aminoguanidine present or the order of mixing the reagents prior to the experiments. For 1c and 1d, only the 5-substituted triazine derivatives were formed. No evidence for hydrazone or bishydrazone formation was observed.

Selective oxidation of histidine residues in proteins or peptides through the copper(II)-catalysed autoxidation of glucosone

Glucosone has been identified as the main intermediate sugar moiety product of the copper(II)-catalysed autoxidation of the Amadori compound [Kawakishi, Tsunehiro & Uchida (1991) Carbohydr. Res. 211, 167-171]. Oxidative fragmentation of the model protein, especially selective degradation of the histidine residue in protein or peptides mediated by the copper(II)-catalysed autoxidation of glucosone, is discussed in this paper. The oxidative damage to protein could be retarded by catalase (EC 1.11.1.16) and EDTA, while superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) and hydroxyradical scavengers showed little effect. Through the process of the oxidative degradation of N-benzoylhistidine and other histidine-containing peptides, the oxidation of the imidazole ring in histidine caused by the glucosone-copper(II) system was the same as that by the ascorbate-copper(II) system. These facts suggest that the copper-catalysed autoxidation of glucosone could generate some active-oxygen species causing oxidative damage to protein similar to that caused by the ascorbate-copper(II) system.