N-Levulinoyl-D-mannosamine

Cellular synthesis of a modified sialic acid by exposure of human cells to N-levulinoyl D-mannosamine 22. Resulting levulinoylated cell surface glycoproteins provide an opportunity for selective, covalent attachment of a variety of nucleophiles Nu. ... 

Acceptance of the non-natural N-levulinoyl D-mannosamine 22, containing a ketone moiety in the N-acyl group, by the cellular machinery in vivo has been used to produce cell-surface oligosaccharides modified in their neuraminic acid constituents (Figure 5.15) [106, 107]. The reactive ketone groups thus produced on the cell surface could then be used for versatile covalent cell redecoration under physiological conditions, for example by... 

---