Synthesis of high-mannose oligosaccharides containing mannose-6-phosphate residues using regioselective glycosylation

Molecular recognition of mannose-6-phosphate (M6P)-modified oligosaccharides by transmembrane M6P receptors is a key signaling event in lysosomal protein trafficking in vivo. Access to M6P-containing high-mannose N-glycans is essential to achieving a thorough understanding of the M6P ligand-receptor recognition process. Herein we report the application of a versatile and reliable chemical strategy to prepare asymmetric di-antennary M6P-tagged high-mannose oligosaccharides in > 20% overall yield and in high purity (> 98%). Regioselective chemical glycosylation coupled with effective phosphorylation and product purification protocols were applied to rapidly assemble these oligosaccharides. The development of this synthetic strategy simplifies the preparation of M6P-tagged high-mannose oligosaccharides, which will improve access to these compounds to study their structures and biological functions.