Synthesis of PNGase-resistant N-glycopeptide containing an α-anomeric glycosidic linkage

Abstract

N-glycans in eukaryotic proteins are commonly attached to asparagine residues via β-N-glycosidic linkages, which are susceptible to glycosidases, such as PNGase. Here we report the preparation of α-N-glycosylated peptides based on the solid-phase peptide synthesis strategy using an α-N-GlcNAc-containing asparagine building block, and a transglycosylation reaction of oligosaccharide oxazoline promoted by endoglycosidases CC^N180H. The resultant glycopeptide, bearing the complex-type α-N-sialyl undecasaccharide, exhibits resistance against PNGase F, which may be of potential use in studying the catabolism of N-glycans and glycoengineering those peptide-based therapeutics.