Chemoenzymatic synthesis of sialylated and fucosylated mucin analogs reveals glycan-dependent effects on protein conformation and degradation.

ABSTRACT: Mucin proteins are essential for life but are challenging to study due to their complex glycosylation patterns. Synthetic mimics have become vital tools for understanding and modulating the roles of mucins in human health and disease. These materials also have diverse biomedical applications as lubricants and anti-infectives, in vaccine formulations, and more. We developed a chemoenzymatic approach to prepare polypeptide-based synthetic mucins displaying a variety of glycans with native linkages and orientations. By combining the polymerization of glycosylated amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides with enzymatic sialylation and fucosylation, we produced a tunable panel of synthetic mucins. These polymers were recognized by natural glycan-binding and glycan-degrading enzymes, providing insi

SUBMITTER: Wood AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12266245 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature