Out-licensing

Glycoproteomic Probes for Fluorescent Imaging of Fucosylated Glycans in vivo

Introduction/Background

Glycomics is emerging as a new field for the biology of complex glycoproteins and glycoconjugates. The lack of versatile glycan-labelling methods has presented a major obstacle to visualizing at the cellular level and studying glycoconjugates.

Aims/Hypothesis

To address this issue, we are developing a fluorescent labelling technique.

Research

The invention provides a method of labelling of cellular glycans bearing azide group via a fluorescent labelling technique. The method entails generating fluorescent probe form a nonfluorescent precursor, 4-ethynyl-N-ethyl-1,8-naphthalimide, by Cu(I)-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition (click activation) of alkyne group of the probe with an azido-containing fucose analogue into glycoprotein via the fucose salvage pathway. Cells treated with 6-azidofucose are labelled with the click activated fluorogenic probe or biotinylated alkyne.

Conclusion

We have developed a powerful technique for visualizing the intracellular localization of fucosylated glycoconjuates by fluorescent microscopy.

Relevance/Opportunity

Please enquire if you are interested in forming licensing or codevelopment partnerships quoting reference no. 28A-960213.

Preclinical

US pending