Geert-Jan Boons, PhD.

Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands

Xuefei Huang, Ph.D.

Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Xinshan Ye, PhD

Peking University, Beijing, China

Lai-Xi Wang, PhD

University of Maryland

Topic: Synthesis and functional studies of selectively fluorinated N-glycans and antibodies

Fluorination has attracted considerable interest in recent years due to the unique physicochemical properties of fluorine, including its high electronegativity, small size, and ability to modulate molecular recognition and metabolic stability. Specifically, selectively fluorinated glycans can serve as valuable tools for probing glycan–protein interactions and for modulating the immunogenicity of carbohydrate antigens. Despite their potential, the synthesis of fluorinated N-glycans remains a significant challenge due to the complexity of glycan structures and the need for regio- and stereoselective incorporation of fluorine atoms. We describe in this conference the chemoenzymatic synthesis of selectively fluorinated high-mannose type and complex type N-glycans, and related HIV-1 glycopeptide antigens. In addition, the modified N-glycans were transferred to antibodies by an endoglycosynthase mutant to produce selectively fluorinated antibody glycoforms. The stability, antigenicity, and affinity for respective glycan-binding proteins of the fluorinated glycans and antibodies will be discussed.

Ulrika Westerlind, PhD

UMEA University, Sweden

Biao Yu, PhD

Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, China