Enzymatic α(2–3)sialylation of non-natural type-I (Lewisc) disaccharides with recombinant sialyl-transferase

Recombinant α(2–3)sialyl-transferase from rat liver is used to sialylate a series of type-I (Lewisc) disaccharides on a preparative scale. The enzyme tolerates a broad array of N-acetyl replacements of the N-glucosamine subunit ranging from small and large lipophilic groups to charged and heterocyclic amides.