Calcium-Dependent Carbohydrate–Carbohydrate Recognition between LewisX Blood Group Antigens

Abstract

During adhesion events in eukaryotic cells polyvalent carbohydrate–carbohydrate recognition between LeX oligosaccharides plays a role. Clustering was mimicked by a LewisX-based, synthetic, neutral calcium receptor 1. Two LewisX trisaccharides were covalently tethered and studied by NMR spectroscopy. In the presence of calcium, the two LeX moieties assume a cross-shaped relative orientation. The conformation of the cluster was identified from additional NOE contacts.