Sialylactose-N-tetrasaccharide A ammonium salt—the key to next-generation therapies 64003-53-8

Sialylactose-N-tetrasaccharide A (LS-Tetrasaccharide A) is a vital bioactive oligosaccharide in human breast milk and is known as one of the representatives of "breast milk smart ingredients". Not only does it naturally exist in human milk, it is also a high-value raw material that has attracted much attention in the fields of modern nutritional science, infant health, immune regulation and drug research and development. As a standardized oligosaccharide with clear structure and high purity, LS-Tetrasaccharide A is driving a wave of innovation in formula food upgrades, prebiotic research and development, and carbohydrate drug development.

Chemical information

Chemical name: Sialylactose-N-tetrasaccharide A ammonium salt

Common name: LS-Tetrasaccharide A

Chemical formula: C₃₇H₆₂N₂O₂₉

Molecular weight: 998.88 g/mol

CAS number: 64003-53-8

Structural features

LS-Tetrasaccharide A is an important member of sialylated oligosaccharides among human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). Its structure has the following outstanding features:

Precise polysaccharide structure: It is composed of a lactose core and an extended N-acetyllactose amino unit, and is connected to sialic acid (neuraminic acid) with α-2,3 or α-2,6 bonds at the end. This structure simulates the recognition pattern of sugar chains on the surface of human cells, giving it special biological recognition and signal regulation capabilities.

Key modifications of sialic acid: The terminal sialic acid group is negatively charged and can mediate specific interactions with a variety of proteins, receptors and pathogens, playing the role of "molecular messenger" in immune regulation and anti-infection.

Excellent water solubility and stability: Provided in the form of ammonium salt, which significantly enhances its solubility and chemical stability in the formulation and process, making it easy to apply in liquid or solid preparations.

Main applications and advantages

1. Core functional components of high-end infant and young child nutritional formulas

Simulates breast milk to support development: Human milk oligosaccharides are the third largest solid component in breast milk and are crucial for intestinal health, immune establishment and cognitive development in infants and young children. As one of the key sialylated oligosaccharides, LS-Tetrasaccharide A can be added to infant formula or nutritional supplements to greatly improve the breast milk similarity and biological functions of the product, and promote intestinal barrier maturation and bacterial colonization.

Inhibit pathogen colonization: Its structure can simulate receptors on the surface of intestinal epithelial cells, competitively bind to pathogenic bacteria (such as pathogenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella, etc.) or viruses, preventing them from attaching to the intestinal mucosa, thereby acting as a "bait" to fight infection.

2. New generation of prebiotics and microbiome modulators

Directional proliferation of beneficial bacteria: LS-Tetrasaccharide A can be used as a high-quality nutritional substrate for specific probiotics (such as Bifidobacterium), selectively promote their growth and optimize the intestinal microecological balance.

Regulate immune response: Through intestinal flora metabolism and direct interaction with immune cells, it can regulate signaling pathways, reduce excessive inflammation, and enhance mucosal immunity. It is suitable for the development of inflammatory bowel disease, allergy prevention and other related health products.

3. Drug development and biologics empowerment

Candidate molecules for anti-adhesion therapy: Based on their ability to bind to pathogens, they can be used as lead compounds or auxiliary components in the design of anti-infective drugs to prevent or treat gastrointestinal and respiratory infections.

Carbohydrate drugs and carrier tools: Its role in cell recognition has shown potential in targeted drug delivery, vaccine adjuvant design, and tumor carbohydrate immunotherapy. The clear chemical structure also provides important tool molecules for glycoprotein engineering and glycochip development.

4. Scientific research and diagnostic applications

Key reagent for glycobiology research: As a standardized oligosaccharide with a clear structure, it is an ideal probe for studying the molecular mechanisms of sialylated sugar chains in cell communication, pathogen infection, and immune recognition.

Biomarkers and quality control reference: It can be used to establish human milk oligosaccharide detection methods, evaluate the quality of breast milk or the authenticity of added formula foods, and can also be used as a potential marker reference for the diagnosis of related diseases.

Conclusion

Sialylactose-N-tetrasaccharide A ammonium salt (LS-Tetrasaccharide A) is far more than an oligosaccharide raw material, it is a bridge molecule connecting early life nutrition, intestinal health and immune science. From high-end infant formula to adult intestinal health products, from anti-infection strategies to immunomodulatory therapies, its application dimensions are constantly expanding.

The above information is provided by the editor of KASONS and is for scientific research only.