A substrate for the detection of broad specificity α-L-arabinofuranosidases with indirect release of a chromogenic group

The synthesis of a compound containing a 4-nitrocatechol bound to two vicinal alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl moieties through a linker arm was achieved using a sulfate protecting group to facilitate selective alkylation of one aromatic hydroxyl. Several alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases displaying different selectivities were tested and a simple microtiter plate-based assay was developed. The observed resistance of the compound to alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase-mediated hydrolysis makes it suitable for the identification of enzymes that are able to accommodate bis-arabinofuranosylated moieties. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.