Lactose-3′-sulfate (CAS 159358-51-7)

Lactose-3′-sulfate is a chemically modified form of lactose, wherein a sulfate group is attached at the 3′ position, and it is predominantly used in biochemical and enzymatic studies. This compound provides insight into the specificity and mechanism of various sulfotransferases, enzymes that transfer sulfate groups to various substrates, which are critical in cellular communication and molecular signaling. In carbohydrate chemistry research, Lactose-3′-sulfate is useful for investigating the structural requirements for binding and recognition by proteins such as lectins, which play a role in cell adhesion and pathogen recognition. Its presence in complex glycans can also be mimicked to study its influence on glycan-protein interactions and its role in modifying the biological activity of glycoconjugates. Additionally, in the study of gut microbiota, Lactose-3′-sulfate is used to explore how sulfate modifications of dietary sugars may impact microbial metabolism and the overall composition of the intestinal ecosystem.