Lewis a Trisaccharide (CAS 56570-03-7)

Lewis a trisaccharide, a carbohydrate structure consisting of three sugar units, namely N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), galactose (Gal), and fucose (Fuc), plays a crucial role in various biological processes and has garnered significant attention in scientific research. One of its primary mechanisms of action lies in its involvement in cell-cell recognition and adhesion processes, particularly in the context of glycan-mediated interactions between cells and their surrounding environment. The Lewis a antigen, represented by this trisaccharide structure, is a blood group antigen found on the surface of various cells, including epithelial cells and leukocytes. It serves as a ligand for selectins, a family of cell adhesion molecules involved in leukocyte trafficking and inflammatory responses. Additionally, Lewis a trisaccharide is implicated in cancer metastasis and immune evasion mechanisms, as aberrant expression of Lewis a antigen on cancer cells facilitates their adhesion to endothelial cells and promotes metastatic spread. In research, Lewis a trisaccharide is utilized as a molecular tool to investigate the molecular basis of cell adhesion processes, glycan-protein interactions, and their implications in various physiological and pathological conditions. Furthermore, its structural elucidation and synthesis contribute to the development of novel glycan-based diagnostic tools, advancing our understanding of glycobiology and its implications in health and disease.