Nature complex sugars

Schneider and coworkers investigated the capability of the tetraazonia cyclophane 51 to bind nucleosides and nucleotides in water [72]. Its two diphenylmethane units border a lipophilic cavity for the uptake of likewise lipophilic molecules or subunits. As evidenced by HNMR studies of the complexes, only in the case of the purine derived nucleosides and nucleotides (A, G, AXP, GMP) the base moiety is included inside the host cavity but not in the case of the pyrimidine analogues (U, C, UMP, CMP, TMP). Due to their hydrophilic nature, the sugar and phosphate groups remain outside the niche. 

Biologically active polymers are of fundamental importance in the life process Itself. He need only note that molecules such as the proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes and many complex sugars are macromolecular in nature to realize how dependent life is upon polymer molecules. In addition, many of the polypeptide hormones are derived from a larger polypeptide or are synthesized by means of other macromolecules. Nearly all our foods and most of our bodies are composed of polymers and most of these are bloactive. He can note with certainty that macromolecules are essential to life as we know it. Beyond this, the interaction of macromolecules plays an Important role in many areas of life. Examples of this could Include such divergent effects as the pain-killing activity of the enkephalins or the toxic nature of snake venom which is a polypeptide in most cases. In subsequent chapters of this book, other authors will consider a variety of polymeric systems with various types of actual or potential activity with humans, animals and/or plants. In this chapter, we briefly explore the overall realm of biologically active polymers. 

Plock A, Beyer G, Hiller K, Griindemann E, Krause E, Nimtz M, Wray V (2001) Application of MS and NMR to the Structure Elucidation of Complex Sugar Moieties of Natural Products Exemplified by the Steroidal Saponin from Yucca filamentosa L. Phytochemistry 57 489... 

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