What Is Gb3?

Gb3 is a sphingolipid formed by a lipid backbone linked to oligosaccharides, and the lipid portion of its structure consists of sphingosine and fatty acids bound by amide bonds, resulting in the formation of a ceramide molecule. Gb3 is expressed and located in the outer layer of the cell membrane of many different cell types. In the medical field, Gb3 is highly expressed in a variety of cancers including Burkitt lymphoma, colorectal, breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. In addition, Gb3 is associated with invasiveness, metastasis, angiogenesis, and multi-drug resistance. Overall, Gb3 is an attractive target for engineered CAR-T cells and is also considered a pathological biomarker for a range of tumors and cancers. Therefore, the development of tumor-associated vaccines based on the pathological characteristics of the Gb3 antigen is also a promising direction.

Fig.1 The structure of Gb3. (Bosse, et al., 2002)

Tumor-Associated Gb3 Antigen Production Service at CD BioGlyco

Tumor-Associated Carbohydrate Vaccines cannot be developed without the production of antigens. CD BioGlyco provides Tumor-Associated Globo Antigen Production Services. Among the globo antigens, we have mastered the production of the Gb3 antigen.

• Enzymatic synthesis

We use glycosyltransferase to construct expression vectors, transform them into specific bacteria for overexpression, and then catalyze the synthesis of oligosaccharides in vitro after rough purification of the target protein. Finally, a large number of Gb3 antigens are synthesized using sugar as substrate and catalytic action of glycosyltransferases.

Fig.2 Process for the enzymatic synthesis of Gb3. (CD BioGlyco)

• Linear synthesis

We synthesize the tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen Gb3 in a linear manner using a phosphomonosaccharide structural unit. In this approach, we introduce a β-galactosamine unit and an α-(1→4-cis)-galactoside bond to ensure good donor reactivity and protect group compatibility.

Fig.3 The linear synthesis of Gb3. (CD BioGlyco)

In addition to the production of Gb3 antigen, we also provide vaccine development services. Among other things, we develop vaccines using Gb3 as the antigen in combination with different stabilizers, adjuvants, and diluents. In addition, we will test the effect of the vaccine through in vivo experiments.

Applications

• In the medical field, Gb3 production is applied to the development of vaccines against tumors.
• The Gb3 production services can be applied to explore the biological functions of tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens.
• Gb3 is a pathology biomarker for many types of tumors and cancers, so its production services can be applied to the study of tumors and carcinogenesis.

Advantages

• Our Gb3 production is led by professional researchers.
• We have different R&D routes available for clients to choose from.
• Our research team is responsive and up-to-date with relevant technologies in R&D.

CD BioGlyco has developed a Glyco™ Vaccine Development Platform to provide antigen production and vaccine development services. For tumor-related antigens, we provide comprehensive Gb3 antigen production services. Please feel free to contact us for more detailed information.

Reference

1. Bosse, F.; et al. Linear synthesis of the tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens Globo-H, SSEA-3, and Gb3. J. Org. Chem. 2002, 67(19): 6659-6670.