Inositol glycans (IGs) are naturally occurring, phosphorylated, inositol-containing carbohydrates that are released by insulin-sensitive cells in response to insulin. IGs can activate pyruvate dehydroganase phosphatase, thus stimulating aerobic metabolism. Cancer cells are known to switch from aerobic metabolism to anaerobic metabolism even in the presence of oxygen, a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. This is thought to enable cancer cells to evade intrinsic apoptosis. Our goal is determine if a synthetic IG competent to stimulate aerobic metabolism in cancer cells, thus reversing the Warburg Effect, can cause the cells to undergo apoptosis. Our target compound is a pseudodisaccharide comprised of 2-glucosaminyl-alpha1,6-myo-inositol containing a 16-carbon lipid chain and a phosphate group. Progress toward the chemical synthesis and biological evaluation of this IG as an anticancer agent will be described.

Synthesis of a phosphorylated, lipid-linked inositol glycan as a potential anti-cancer agent

245th National Meeting (2013)

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