摘要:
A highly efficient synthesis of the biologically important fluorescent probe dansyl alpha-GalCer is presented. Key in our strategy is the incorporation of the fluorescent dansyl group at an early stage in the synthesis to facilitate in the monitoring and purification of intermediates via TLC and flash column chromatography, respectively, and the use of a high yielding alpha-selective glycosylation reaction between the phytosphingosine lipid and a galactosyl iodide donor. The ability of dansyl alpha-GalCer to activate iNKT cells and to serve as a fluorescent marker for the uptake of glycolipid by dendritic cells is also presented. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.