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Carbohydrate recognition

A minimalistic approach to binding

Nature Chemistry volume 4, pages 697–698 (2012)Cite this article

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Synthetic receptors with properties resembling those of carbohydrate-binding proteins are known, but they are structurally rather complex. Elaborate structures are, however, not always required to bind carbohydrates in water — much simpler compounds can be just as effective.

Molecules can be quite social. They can interact — either attractively or repulsively — with one another, recognize each other, and assemble into groups containing from just a few individuals up to very large numbers. The chemistry of biological systems relies heavily on these properties and chemists generally have a good understanding of how interactions between molecules can be controlled. Mimicking the efficiency and specificity with which biomolecules interact in water by using abiotic compounds is challenging, however, and this is especially true for processes that are even difficult for natural systems, such as carbohydrate recognition. This context underscores the importance of the results reported in Nature Chemistry by Anthony Davis and colleagues, showing efficient binding of monosaccharides in water can be achieved with surprisingly simple compounds1.

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Figure 1: A schematic representation of the lectin wheat-germ agglutinin8 and chemical structures of the synthetic lectins developed in the Davis group.

References

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  1. Stefan Kubik is in the Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Technology Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straβe, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany,

    Stefan Kubik

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  1. Stefan Kubik
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Correspondence to Stefan Kubik.

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Kubik, S. A minimalistic approach to binding. Nature Chem 4, 697–698 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.1428

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