Synthesis, conformational studies, binding assessment and liposome insertion of a thioether-bridged mimetic of the antigen GM3 ganglioside lactone

Conformational analysis and synthesis of a hydrolytically stable mimetic of the tumour antigen GM3 lactone ganglioside, is reported. The interaction between GM3 lactone mimetic and wheat germ agglutinin lectin showed thatthis compound is a veritable mimetic of a sialyl-containing saccharide. DOPC/DOPE liposomes containing the thioether synthetic mimetic were also prepared and characterized; these could prove to be promising carriers for the production of monoclonal antibodies.