The affinities of hosts-ranging from small synthetic cavitands to large proteins-for organic molecules are well documented. The average association constants for the binding of organic molecules by cyclodextrins, synthetic hosts, and albumins in water, as well as of catalytic antibodies or enzymes for substrates are 10(3.5+/-2.5) M(-1). Binding affinities are elevated to 10(8+/-2) M(-1) for the complexation of transition states and biological antigens by antibodies or inhibitors by enzymes, and to 10(16+/-4) M(-1) for transition states with enzymes. The origins of the distributions of association constants observed for the broad range of host-guest systems are explored in this Review, and typical approaches to compute and analyze host-guest binding in solution are discussed. In many classes of complexes a rough correlation is found between the binding affinity and the surface area that is buried upon complexation. Enzymes transcend this effect and achieve transition-state binding much greater than is expected from the surface areas.

https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/anie.200200565

Binding Affinities of Host–Guest, Protein–Ligand, and Protein–Transition‐State Complexes

Glycosphingolipid clustering and interactions at the cell membrane can be modeled by gold glyconanoparticles prepared with biologically significant oligosaccharides. Such water-soluble gold glyconanoparticles with highly polyvalent carbohydrate displays (see picture, gray hemisphere: gold nanoparticle) have been obtained by a simple and versatile strategy.

Gold Glyconanoparticles as Water-Soluble Polyvalent Models To Study Carbohydrate Interactions

Synthesis and applications of carbohydrate-derived macrocyclic compounds.

A model system mimicking glycosphingolipid clusters to quantify carbohydrate self-interactions by surface plasmon resonance.

The adhesion forces between individual molecules of Lewis(X) trisaccharide antigen (Le(X) ) have been measured in water and in calcium solution by using atomic force microscopy (AFM, see graph). These results demonstrate the self-recognition capability of this antigen, and reinforce the hypothesis that carbohydrate-carbohydrate interaction could be considered as the first step in the cell-adhesion process in nature.

Adhesion Forces between LewisX Determinant Antigens as Measured by Atomic Force Microscopy

The synthesis and conformational properties of glycophanes 2 and 3 (cyclodextrin−cyclophane hybrid receptors containing two maltose units linked by (4-hydroxymethyl) benzoic acid spacer) are descri...

Dácil Zurita

Papers

Carbohydrate−Carbohydrate Interactions in Water with Glycophanes as Model Systems