Abstract
This chapter describes the developments in the synthesis of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from the most fundamental structures to more complicated derivatives. The early synthetic studies did not result in any biological activity, but with the increasing complexity and, hence, compounds closer to native LTA, it was demonstrated that synthetic LTA indeed has biological activity. The crucial role of the D-alanyl residues in S. aureus LTA was confirmed by the synthetic derivatives when compared with the pure natural product. Until now, the main focus has been on the synthesis of type I LTA, since it is the least complex form. It is of major interest to synthesize derivatives of the other three types of LTA, since the structural diversity between them is large and their biology only poorly understood. Studies toward the synthesis of S. pneumoniae LTA as well as Lactococcus garvieae LTA are in progress. Further topics for studies on synthesis and related investigations are outlined in the chapter.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Microbial glycobiology : structures, relevance and applications |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Publisher | Academic Press |
| Publication date | 2010 |
| Pages | 455-476 |
| Chapter | 25 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-0-12-374546-0 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2010 |
| Externally published | Yes |