Neu5GcAc[1Me,4789Ac] alpha(2-6)Gal[24Bz,3Bn]-beta-MP

Neu5GcAc[1Me,4789Ac] alpha(2-6)Gal[24Bz,3Bn]-beta-MP is a complex sialylated carbohydrate derivative often used in glycoscience research. It contains a sialic acid residue (N-glycolylneuraminic acid or Neu5GcAc) with multiple acetyl modifications and is linked via an alpha-2,6 glycosidic bond to a galactose moiety. The galactose unit is protected by benzyl and benzoyl groups at hydroxyl positions 2, 3, and 4 to enable selective functionalization. The molecule terminates with a beta-methylphenyl (MP) aglycone, providing structural stability and simplifying downstream modifications. This compound serves as a model glycoside in research investigating protein-glycan interactions and the specificity of glycosyltransferases that catalyze the formation of sialylated glycosidic bonds. Neu5GcAc is not typically found in humans, offering a unique avenue for studying glycan recognition in other organisms, particularly in biomedical research focused on comparative glycomics. The protected galactose allows controlled deprotection and functionalization, making it useful for synthesizing complex glycoconjugates. Furthermore, the alpha-2,6 linkage mimics natural sialylated glycoproteins, making this compound valuable for investigating the structural aspects of sialic acid binding proteins like lectins. Its versatility allows researchers to create carbohydrate-based probes to study how sialylation patterns affect cell signaling, molecular recognition, and immune responses, providing key insights into glycan biology.