β-L-Fucopyranosylamine (CAS 103419-79-0)

β-L-Fucopyranosylamine is an amino sugar derivative of L-fucose, known for its significance in glycoscience research. As a building block in glycan chemistry, it is used to study the biosynthesis and recognition of fucosylated oligosaccharides. Its structural similarity to naturally occurring L-fucose makes it a useful analog in glycosylation studies, as it enables researchers to investigate the enzymatic processes involving fucosyltransferases and glycosidases that modify fucosyl residues. The amino group in β-L-fucopyranosylamine allows its incorporation into synthetic glycoconjugates, serving as a linker to attach various labels or probes. This capability facilitates the production of fluorescently tagged glycans and other derivatives, enabling the study of protein-carbohydrate interactions crucial for cell signaling, immune responses, and host-pathogen interactions. Researchers also use it to synthesize glycomimetics, which help to explain carbohydrate-binding protein specificity and function. Moreover, it has been employed to create glycan arrays and other platforms for high-throughput screening, revealing how fucosylated glycans influence cellular adhesion, signal transduction, and other critical biological processes. Its utility in these studies highlights the role of fucose in understanding the structure and function of complex glycans across various biological systems.