10.1016/S0040-4039(98)02135-2
The research aimed to chemically synthesize two analogues of the calicheamicin oligosaccharide, which is crucial for drug-DNA interaction and the selectivity and specificity of DNA cleavage. The study focused on the roles of carbohydrate rings D and E, the aromatic ring-C, and the β-N-O glycosidic bond on DNA-drug recognition events. The researchers reported the total synthesis of oligosaccharides 1 and 2, which replaced carbohydrate ring E with a basic chain E', either with or without the rhamnopyranosyl unit D. Key chemicals used in the synthesis process included 2,2,2-trifluoroethanesulfonyl chloride, benzoyl chloride, trifluoroethanesulfonate ester, 1,4-dibromobutane, sodium hydride, ethylamine, Fmoc-protected amine, sodium borohydride, boron trifluoride, and various other reagents and solvents. The synthesized oligosaccharides showed some binding to double-stranded DNA, but solubility issues prevented a detailed study. The work was financially supported by the Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche and involved collaboration with experts in the field.