Oligosaccharide synthesis glycosidases, glycosynthases

Glycosynthases are classified as mutated retaining glycosidases where the active site carboxylate nucleophile has been replaced by a nonnucleophilic amino acid side chain (such as alanine). Synthesis of oligosaccharides by the glycosynthase enzymes, which do not hydrolyze the products and use inexpensive... 

Mackenzie, L. F., Wang, Q., Warren, R. A. J. Withers, S. G. (1998). Glycosynthases mutant glycosidases for oligosaccharide synthesis. Journal of American Chemical Society 120, 5583-5584. 

The ability of the hyperthermophilic glycosynthases to promote the synthesis of oligosaccharides is a clear example of how the unique characteristics of stability to high temperatures and acidic pH of the glycosidases from hyperthermophilic archaea allows the development of a novel strategy for the chemo-enzymatic synthesis of oligosaccharides. 

---