Synthesis and utilization of GDP-D-arabinopyranoside.

We describe a procedure for the enzymatic synthesis of labeled or unlabeled GDP-D-arabinopyranoside. This method uses two enzymes purified from pig kidney: an L-fucokinase and a GDP-L-fucose pyrophosphorylase. The isolated GDP-D-[3H]arabinose served as a precursor for arabinose addition to lipophosphoglycan (LPG) of Leishmania major, using a parasite membrane fraction as the source of arabinosyltransferase. The procedures described provide a useful means for obtaining radiolabeled GDP-D-arabinopyranoside to study synthesis of D-arabinopyranoside-containing glycoconjugates.