Synthesis of bifunctional lipophilic constructs

Abstract

An ability of glycolipids to embed membrane of living cells opens an opportunity to modify cellular surface via insertion of synthetic lipophilic constructs carrying given glycan (or any other molecular fragment). Detection of thus inserted glycans by fluorescent microscopy requires treatment with corresponding fluorescently labeled antibodies. Di- (IgG) and decavalent (IgM) antibodies can significantly affect the distribution of glycolipids in the membrane, therefore direct visualization of embedded lipophilic constructs is required. To achieve this, fluorescent tag must be included in the composition of the lipophilic constructs and at the same time be located at a sufficient distance from glycan part. Here we propose two approaches to the synthesis of these compounds and describe obtaining of two constructs carrying A (type 2) tetrasaccharide and either fluorescein or sulfo-cyanine-3.