Marine glycosaminoglycan-like carbohydrates as potential drug candidates for infectious disease

Mycroft-West, Courtney J.; Yates, Edwin A.; Skidmore, Mark A.

Abstract

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), present in the extracellular matrix, are exploited by numerous, distinct microbes for cellular attachment, adhesion, invasion and evasion of the host immune system. Glycosaminoglycans, including the widely used, clinical anticoagulant heparin and semi-synthetic analogues thereof, have been reported to inhibit and disrupt interactions between microbial proteins and carbohydrates present on the surface of host cells. However, the anticoagulant properties of unmodified, pharmaceutical heparin preparations preclude their capabilities as therapeutics for infectious disease states. Here, unique Glycosaminoglycan-like saccharides from various, distinct marine species are reported for their potential use as therapeutics against infectious diseases; many of which possess highly attenuated anticoagulant activities, while retaining significant antimicrobial properties.

Citation

Mycroft-West, C. J., Yates, E. A., & Skidmore, M. A. (2018). Marine glycosaminoglycan-like carbohydrates as potential drug candidates for infectious disease. Biochemical Society Transactions, 46(4), 919-929. https://doi.org/10.1042/bst20170404

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Jul 19, 2018
• Publication Date: Aug 20, 2018
• Deposit Date: May 31, 2023
• Journal: Biochemical Society Transactions
• Print ISSN: 0300-5127
• Electronic ISSN: 1470-8752
• Publisher: Portland Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 46
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 919-929
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1042/bst20170404
• Keywords: Biochemistry