Gal beta(1-3)GalNAc-beta-pNP (CAS 59837-15-9)

Gal beta(1-3)GalNAc-beta-pNP, also known as p-nitrophenyl Gal beta(1-3)GalNAc, is a synthetic disaccharide that serves as a useful substrate for studying enzyme specificity and activity, particularly for beta-galactosidases and O-glycosyltransferases. The glycosidic bond between galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine mirrors those found in natural glycan structures, making this compound a valuable model substrate. The p-nitrophenyl (pNP) moiety, an aglycone, is used for colorimetric detection, providing a measurable chromogenic signal when hydrolyzed. In glycosylation research, it is widely employed to investigate the substrate specificity of glycosidases that hydrolyze O-glycosidic bonds. This compound allows researchers to explore enzyme kinetics and mechanisms in glycan biosynthesis pathways. Additionally, it has utility in the analysis of mucin-type O-glycans and the identification of glycosyltransferases involved in synthesizing mucin-like glycoproteins. By using this disaccharide in enzyme assays, researchers can identify new enzymatic activities, characterize known enzymes, and study the influence of structural modifications on enzyme-substrate interactions. Consequently, Gal beta(1-3)GalNAc-beta-pNP plays a critical role in understanding glycan-processing enzymes and glycoprotein synthesis in glycomics research.