The First Total Synthesis of 6-Sulfo-de-N-acetylsialyl Lewis(x) Ganglioside: A Superior Ligand for Human L-Selectin.
Originally discovered as a minor by-product of 6-sulfo-N-acetylsialyl Lewis(x) , the de-N-acetylated form 1 is a superior L-selectin ligand to the N-acetyl form. To substantiate the extraordinary reactivity of 1, it was synthesized for the first time and its binding to L-selectin investigated. Compound 1 and related structures may be high-affinity endogenous ligands for L-selectin that are involved in the interaction of leukocytes with the vascular endothelium.