Synthesis and Characterization of Sialylated Lactose- and Lactulose-Derived Oligosaccharides by Trypanosoma cruzi Trans-sialidase

Sialylated oligosaccharides contribute 12.6–21.9% of total free oligosaccharides in human milk (hMOS). These acidic hMOS possess prebiotic properties and display antiadhesive effects against pathogenic bacteria. Only limited amounts of sialylated hMOS are currently available. The aim of our work is to enzymatically synthesize sialylated oligosaccharides mimicking hMOS functionality. In this study, we tested mixtures of glucosylated-lactose (GL34), galactosylated-lactulose (LGOS), and galacto-oligosaccharide (Vivinal GOS) molecules, as trans-sialylation acceptor substrates. The recombinant trans-sialidase enzyme from Trypanosoma cruzi (TcTS) was used for enzymatic decoration, transferring (α2→3)-linked sialic acid from donor substrates to nonreducing terminal β-galactopyranosyl units of these acceptor substrates. The GL34 F2 2-Glc-Lac compound with an accessible terminal galactosyl residue was sialylated efficiently (conversion degree of 47.6%). TcTS sialylated at least 5 LGOS structures and 11 Vivinal GOS DP3–4 compounds. The newly synthesized sialylated oligosaccharides are interesting as potential hMOS mimics for applications in biomedical and functional-food products.