Bacillus anthracis, the etiological agent of anthrax are spore forming gram positive bacillus. When the spores are inhaled, the host is usually killed within few days. Besides, these are highly resistant to high temperature, radiation, harsh chemicals, desiccation and physical damage. Therefore, within view of
Bacillus anthracis has the potential to be used as a biological weapon, a need for a potent vaccine for anthrax has become an urgent target worldwide. Recently, the structure of the tetrasaccharide which is attached to the major glycoprotein of the exosporium of
Bacillus anthracis, has been established. Since multiple copies of this tetrasaccharide were found to be linked to this glycoprotein, the tetrasaccharide or its constituents should be suitable targets for specific, homologous antibodies. Such vaccine could be based on attacking components of anthrax exosporium, for example the tetrasaccharide containing glycoprotein, with specific, neutralizing antibodies. The total synthesis of this tetrasaccharide is reported recently by two research groups. Herein, we describe the novel synthesis of Antigen
Bacillus anthracis tetrasaccharide using an ionic liquid support (IL's). The advantage of this method is to provide the final tetrasaccharide by minimal column chromatography as needed during the assembly of each saccharide unit.
