The inhibition of Mycoplasma pneumoniae adhesion in a fetuin test system by synthetic analogs and polymeric forms of neuraminic acid

: Eight glycosides and structural analogues of neuraminic acid as well as eight polymeric forms of N-acetyl neuraminic acid have been studied for their inhibitory effect on adhesion of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Maximum inhibiting effect among low-molecular compounds was manifested by 2-->3 sialyllactose which, being used in concentrations 5.0 and 10.0 micrograms/ml, inhibited adhesion of mycoplasmas by 76 and 87%, respectively. These indices for other derivatives in the above mentioned concentrations were as follows (%): 2-->6 sialyllactose, 31 and 74%; alpha-Me-glycoside NeuAc, 75 and 85%; alpha-Bn-glycoside-N-trifluoruracetyl NeuAc, 30 and 63%; alpha-Bn-glycoside NeuAc, 32 and 59%; alpha-Bn-glycoside-4-epi-NeuAc, 20 and 27%; beta-Bn-glycoside NeuAc, 2-4%; beta-me-glycoside NeuAc, 4-5%. The maximum inhibiting effect (50% inhibition at concentration 2.5 mumol) among polymeric forms was exerted by the conjugate alpha-benzeneglycoside with polyacrylic acid containing 12 mol% of NeuAc. Conjugates with 8, 16 and 20 mol% of NeuAc possessed a bit less activity. The 50% concentration for them was 5.3, 3.1 and 8.3 mumol, respectively. Polymeric forms on the basis of polyacrylamide proved less active.