A variable concept for the preparation of branched glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol anchors.

A variable concept for the synthesis of branched glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol (GPI) anchors was established. Its efficiency could be shown by the successful synthesis of the GPI anchor of rat brain Thy-1 and of the scrapie prion protein both in the water soluble 1c and lipidated form 1a. Retrosynthesis led to building blocks 2-6 of which 5 could be further disconnected to building blocks 7-9. Trichloroacetimidate 5 was built up in a straightforward manner starting from glycosyl acceptor 9 using known glycosyl donors 7 and 8. The carbohydrate backbone was then assembled by glycosylation of pseudodisaccharide acceptor 6 with donor 5. To ensure high stereoselectivity and good yields in the glycosylation reactions, anchimeric assistance was employed. Successive deprotection and introduction of the various phosphate residues gave the fully protected GPI anchors. Catalytic hydrogenation and acid-catalyzed cleavage of the Boc protecting groups afforded the target molecules, which could be fully structurally assigned.