1H NMR Studies of Hydroxy Protons of ASN- and Ser-Linked Disaccharides in Aqueous Solution

The hydroxy protons of β-D-GlcpNAc-(1→4)-β-D-GlcpNAc, β-D-GlcpNAc-(1→4)-β-D-GlcpNAc-N-Asn, β-D-Galp-(1→3)-α-D-GalpNAc-O-Me and of β-D-Galp-(1→3)-α-D-GalpNAc-O-Ser in aqueous solution have been investigated using 1H NMR spectroscopy. The chemical shifts, coupling constants, temperature coefficients, exchange rates and NOEs have been measured. The O(3)H proton of β-D-GlcpNAc-(1→4)-β-D-GlcpNAc and β-D-GlcpNAc-(1→4)-β-D-GlcpNAc-N-Asn, and the O(2')H proton of β-D-Galp-(1→3)-α-D-GalpNAc and β-D-Galp-(1→3)-α-D-GalpNAc-O-Ser have values which differ significantly from the other hydroxy protons. Both these hydroxy protons are shielded when compared to those of the corresponding monosaccharide methyl glycosides. This shielding is attributed to the proximity of these protons to the O(5') oxygen and to the 2-acetamido group, respectively. In β-D-GlcpNAc-(1→4)-β-D-GlcpNAc and β-D-GlcpNAc-(1→4)-β-D-GlcpNAc-N-Asn, the O(3)H proton has restricted conformational freedom with a preferred orientation towards the O(5') oxygen, and is protected from exchange with the bulk water through a weak hydrogen bond interaction with O(5'). In β-D-Galp-(1→3)-α-D-GalpNAc-O-Me and β-D-Galp-(1→3)-α-D-GalpNAc-O-Ser, the O(2')H is protected from exchange with the bulk water by the 2-acetamido group. The conformations of the disaccharides are not affected by the amino acid, and no interaction in terms of hydrogen bonding between the sugars and the amino acid residue could be observed.