UDP-6-Methoxy-D-Glc.2Na

UDP-6-Methoxy-D-Glc.2Na (Uridine Diphosphate 6-Methoxy-D-Glucose Disodium Salt) is a modified nucleotide sugar used in glycosylation reactions, specifically incorporating methoxy-modified glucose into glycoconjugates. This compound is valuable for studying glycosylation processes and for developing modified glycans with unique functional properties.

Structure & Properties:

• Molecular Weight (MW): Approximately 606 g/mol (depending on the specific form and disodium salt content)
• Chemical Formula: C16H24N2Na2O18P2 (approximate)
• Synonyms: UDP-6-Methoxy-D-Glucose Disodium Salt
• Functional Groups: The methoxy group (-OCH3) at the 6-position of the glucose sugar alters the typical chemical properties of the glucose residue.

Biological Role:

• Glycosylation Reagent: UDP-6-Methoxy-D-Glc serves as a glycosyl donor in enzymatic glycosylation reactions, enabling the transfer of the methoxy-modified glucose to acceptor molecules like proteins and lipids.
• Role in Glycan Synthesis: This molecule is utilized in the synthesis of modified glycans, contributing to the creation of unique glycan structures with potentially altered biological functions.

Applications:

• Glycan Engineering: UDP-6-Methoxy-D-Glc is used in synthetic biology and glycobiology to introduce methoxy groups into glycans, altering their properties for research or therapeutic purposes.
• Glycoprotein Synthesis: It is employed in the production of modified glycoproteins, which can be used to study the role of glycosylation in various cellular processes.

Significance in Research:

• Glycosylation Studies: By incorporating methoxy-modified glucose into glycoconjugates, researchers can study the effects of glycan modifications on protein folding, stability, and function.
• Modified Glycan Applications: The unique properties conferred by the methoxy group may be leveraged in the development of novel therapeutics or diagnostic tools that exploit modified glycosylation patterns.

Key Roles:

• Glycan Modification: UDP-6-Methoxy-D-Glc introduces a methoxy group into glycans, potentially altering their biological activity or interaction with proteins and receptors.
• Research and Development: This molecule is a tool for exploring the impact of glycan modifications on biological processes, including cell signaling, immune responses, and pathogen recognition.

Storage and Stability:

• Storage: Store at -20°C in a moisture-free environment for optimal stability.
• Stability: The compound is stable under these conditions but may degrade if exposed to heat, moisture, or light.

Research Applications:

• Synthetic Glycobiology: UDP-6-Methoxy-D-Glc is used in the field of synthetic glycobiology to engineer cells that produce modified glycans for various applications.
• Therapeutic Development: Modified glycans generated using UDP-6-Methoxy-D-Glc may have applications in drug development, particularly in targeting or modifying glycan interactions involved in diseases.

Potential Impact:

• Drug Design: By altering glycosylation patterns, UDP-6-Methoxy-D-Glc could contribute to the design of new drugs that exploit specific glycan interactions for therapeutic benefit.
• Diagnostic Tools: The methoxy-modified glycans may serve as biomarkers or diagnostic tools in diseases where glycosylation patterns are disrupted, such as cancer or autoimmune disorders.

Key Research Areas:

• Glycoprotein Function: Research into the role of glycoproteins modified with methoxy-glucose residues may reveal insights into their role in cellular communication and immune regulation.
• Enzyme Specificity: Investigating how enzymes recognize and process methoxy-modified glucose can lead to a deeper understanding of enzyme specificity in glycosylation reactions.

Conclusion:

UDP-6-Methoxy-D-Glc.2Na is a valuable tool in glycosylation research, enabling the study of modified glycans with methoxy groups. Its applications in glycan engineering, synthetic biology, and therapeutic development make it an important molecule for advancing the understanding of glycosylation processes and their role in health and disease.