Carbon oligosaccharides

Fig. 3-11 Carbohydrates in (a) 3-, 5-, and 6-carbon sugars (monosaccharides), (b) oligosaccharides, and (c) polysaccharides. (Reprinted with permission from W. K. Purves and G. H. Orians, "Life The Science of Biology," pp. 63-81, Copyright 1987 by Sinauer Associates, Inc., Simderland, MA.)...

Monosaccharides, the molecular units of the saccharides, are carbohydrate molecules containing between three and six carbon atoms. Oligosaccharides contain small chains of two to ten monosaccharide units, and polysaccharides contain long-chain polymers of monosaccharides. 

Early conformational studies by HOESY experiments are illustrated by the work of Batta and Kover54 who were able to access oligosaccharide sequencing and conformational distribution around the glycosidic bond in model compounds. These determinations make use of relayed proton-proton-carbon cross-relaxation. 

Addition of diols to the carbonyl lactone group leads to the formation of cyclic orthoesters. Compounds containing a spiro, cyclic orthoester inter-linkage at the anomeric carbon atom are of interest, as this type of structure is found in the oligosaccharide antibiotics orthosomycins (91) (such as ever-ninomicin, flambamycin, and avilamycin). 

Bouarab K, Potin P, Correa J, Kloareg B (1999) Sulfated oligosaccharides mediate the interaction between a marine red alga and its green algal pathogenic endophyte. Plant Cell 11 1635-1650 Bryant JP, Chapin FS, Klein DR (1983) Carbon/nutrient balance of boreal plants in relation to vertebrate herbivory. Oikos 40 357-368... 

Gangliosides branched oligosaccharide chains terminating in the 9-carbon sugar, sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid, NANA)... 

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