University of California

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Kevin J Yarema

Lara K Mahal

John M Essigmann

Marshall Morningstar

Robert G Croy

Carolyn C Bertozzi

Carolyn Ruth Bertozzi

Methods for making the functionalized glycoconjugates include (a) contacting a cell with a first monosaccharide, and (b) incubating the cell under conditions whereby the cell (i) internalizes the first monosaccharide, (ii) biochemically processes the first monosaccharide into a second saccharide, (iii) conjugates the saccharide to a carrier to form a glycoconjugate, and (iv) extracellularly expresses the glycoconjugate to form an extracellular glycoconjugate comprising a selectively reactive functional group. Methods for forming products at a cell further comprise contacting the functional group of the extracellularly expressed glycoconjugate with an agent which selectively reacts with the functional group to form a product. Subject compositions include cyto-compatible monosaccharides comprising a nitrogen or ether linked functional group selectively reactive at a cell surface and compositions and cells comprising such saccharides.

Glycoconjugates and methods

The compositions and methods disclosed herein provide heterobifunctional programmable genotoxic compounds that can be designed to kill selected cells present in a heterogenous cell population. The present compounds comprise a first agent that inflicts damage on cellular DNA, and a second agent that attracts a macromolecular cell component such as a protein, which in turn shields genomic lesions from repair. Unrepaired lesions therefore persist in the cellular genome and contribute to the death of selected cells. In contrast, lesions formed in nonselected cells, which lack the cell component, are unshielded and thus are repaired. As a result, compounds described herein are less toxic to nonselected cells. Compounds of this invention can be designed to cause the selective killing of transformed cells, viral-infected cells and the like.

Programmable genotoxic agents and uses therefor

Growing community of inventors

Albany, CA, United States of America

Kevin J Yarema