New amino sugar analogues are incorporated at different rates into glycoproteins of mouse organs.

Different radiolabelled N-acyl-derivatives of D-glucosamine were synthesized using D-glucosamine and the respective carbonic acid anhydride. Metabolism of these sugar analogues could be shown in vitro as well as in vivo. After the intraperitoneal administration of these radiolabelled N-acyl-D-glucosamines to mice, their rate of incorporation into glycoproteins of different organs was found to increase markedly with the length of the N-acyl side chain. Highest incorporation was measured in the whole intestine using N-pentanoyl-D-glucosamine as label.