2-Azidoethyl 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside (CAS 142072-12-6)

2-Azidoethyl 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside is a carbohydrate derivative containing azide and acetamido groups that have unique applications in biochemical and glycobiology research. The azido group is reactive and facilitates bio-orthogonal click chemistry reactions, particularly the Staudinger ligation or copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition, which allows for specific labeling or conjugation. This feature makes the compound particularly useful for glycan labeling, helping researchers investigate the distribution, structure, and function of glycans in cellular and molecular biology. The acetamido group adds to the molecular specificity, closely mimicking natural glycan structures like N-acetylglucosamine. This similarity enables the compound to serve as a substrate in enzyme studies involving glycosyltransferases and glycosidases. Researchers can employ this molecule in enzyme assays to understand enzyme specificity, substrate affinity, and glycosylation patterns. Furthermore, the 2-Azidoethyl derivative enables precise tracking of glycan biosynthesis and localization in live cells or tissues. By utilizing the azido group′s click-chemistry compatibility, researchers can covalently attach fluorescent tags to this molecule, enabling detailed imaging and tracking. Such research sheds light on glycan function in cellular communication, signal transduction, and host-pathogen interactions, revealing critical insights into the dynamic roles of glycans in cell biology.