4-Deoxy-2,3-di-O-benzyl-L-fucose (CAS 191036-43-8)

4-Deoxy-2,3-di-O-benzyl-L-fucose is a synthetic derivative of L-fucose, primarily used in glycosylation studies to probe glycan structures and their biological implications. Its structural modifications enable researchers to investigate glycosylation pathways by incorporating it into synthetic glycan structures. In particular, it aids in studying fucosylation, a critical process influencing cell-cell recognition and signaling. By modifying glycan chains through its structural analogs, researchers can decipher the functional roles of specific fucosylation patterns in biological systems. Its benzyl-protected groups offer the advantage of orthogonal deprotection, which enables the selective removal of protecting groups, thus facilitating glycosylation reactions in the desired sequence. In research, this compound plays a vital role in synthesizing fucose-containing glycans that can serve as substrates for glycosyltransferases or glycosidases. This makes it valuable for studying the enzyme kinetics of these proteins, as well as for developing enzyme inhibitors or activators. By manipulating its structure, researchers have been able to tailor it for studying the roles of fucosylation in diverse biological contexts, including cancer progression and immune recognition, by providing insights into the structural basis for protein-glycan interactions and offering new opportunities for glycan-based molecular research.