Collection: Glycoamino Acids

For over two decades, Sussex Research Laboratories Inc. has been at the forefront of supplying the scientific community with the most comprehensive range of high-purity glycosylated amino acids (glycoamino acids) available on the market. Protein glycosylation, a key post-translational modification process in nature, plays a crucial role in determining protein structure, lifespan, and involvement in vital biological functions such as protein transport and cell adhesion. Glycoamino acids serve as the primary sites for protein glycosylation, predominantly occurring at serine and threonine for O-linked proteins and at asparagine (Asn) for N-linked glycoproteins, with less frequent glycosylation happening at other amino acids.

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Learn more about Glycoamino Acids

Sussex Research Laboratories Inc. has provided researchers with the most extensive selection of commercially available, high purity glycosylated amino acids (glycoamino acids) for over 20 years.

In nature, protein glycosylation, forming glycoproteins or glycopeptides, is a fundamental posttranslational modification process that controls protein shape, half-life and essential biological pathways ranging from protein trafficking to cell adhesion. Glycoamino acids are the basic sites of protein glycosylation, most commonly occurring at serine and threonine in the case of O-linked proteins, and at asparagine (Asn) in the case of N-linked glycoproteins. To a lesser extent, glycosylation may also occur at other amino acids but this is far less common.

Fmoc Glycoamino Acids: Sussex Research Laboratories Inc. provides an advanced glycopeptide custom synthesis service, but for researchers who have the knowledge and capability to produce their own glycopeptides, our high purity Fmoc glycoamino acid building blocks enable facile assembly of glycocpeptides as well as introduction of carbohydrate-based recognition elements into virtually any synthetic molecule including small molecules and biomolecules such as oligonucleotides and proteins.

Fmoc glycoamino acid building blocks are anomerically pure, equipped with protected sugars and contain free acids that are ready for solution phase or automated solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). All Fmoc glycoamino acids are available in a variety of quantities. We also provide bulk quantities for use in large scale GMP manufacturing of glycopeptides for clinical use. Modified or customized glycoamino acids, including partially protected or fully deprotected glycoamino acids may be manufactured upon request.

Non-blocked, natural glycoamino acids are also available for analytical or biological applications.

Uses of Glycoamino Acids:

  1. Biomedical Research: Glycoamino acids are invaluable in studying protein-carbohydrate interactions, which are crucial in numerous biological processes, including cell signaling, immune response, and disease progression. By understanding these interactions, researchers can uncover mechanisms of diseases and identify potential therapeutic targets.
  2. Drug Development: Glycopeptides and glycoproteins synthesized using glycoamino acids can serve as potential drug candidates, especially for diseases where protein-carbohydrate interactions play a crucial role, such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. The enhanced stability and solubility imparted by glycosylation can lead to improved drug efficacy and bioavailability.
  3. Vaccine Development: Glycoamino acids are used to create glycopeptide-based vaccines that mimic the glycan structures found on the surfaces of pathogens or cancer cells. These vaccines can elicit a strong immune response by presenting these specific carbohydrate antigens to the immune system, providing a targeted approach to immunization.
  4. Diagnostic Tools: Glycopeptides synthesized from glycoamino acids can be used in the development of diagnostic assays and biomarkers for various diseases. By targeting specific glycan patterns associated with disease states, these tools can offer precise and early detection of conditions like cancer and infectious diseases.
  5. Research on Glycosylation: Glycoamino acids facilitate the study of glycosylation processes, allowing scientists to explore how these modifications affect protein function and stability. This research can lead to insights into the regulation of these processes and their implications for health and disease.

In summary, glycoamino acids are versatile tools in the fields of chemistry and biology, offering a wide range of applications from the fundamental study of glycosylation to the development of therapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostics. Their unique properties and the functional diversity they provide make them invaluable in advancing our understanding and treatment of complex biological phenomena.