Glycosyltransferase catalyzed assemblage of sialyl-Lewis(a)-saccharopeptides.

A series of methyl hexopyranosiduronic acids are coupled to type I disaccharide amines to give 'trisaccharides' which have the natural N-acetyl group of the type I disaccharides replaced by uronic acids (-->saccharopeptides). These saccharopeptides are surprisingly good substrates for alpha-2,3,-sialyltransferase and fucosyltransferase III. The enzymes transfer N-acetylneuraminic acid and fucose, respectively, onto these acceptor substrates, despite the far reaching alterations, regio- and stereospecifically in the expected manner to yield sialyl-Lewis(a)-saccharopeptides.