CHAPTER 1:Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding in Glycans in Aqueous Solution

Hydrogen bonding is a vital feature of biomolecular structure. Hydrogen bonds help proteins, DNA and RNA fold, giving rise to their shape and are thus an important factor in molecular recognition. Hydrogen bonds have been identified in aqueous solutions in proteins and nucleic acids, however, they have not been detected in aqueous solutions of glycans. In this chapter, we discuss the detection of hydrogen bonds in aqueous solution by NMR spectroscopy. These include NH-, OH- and CH-based hydrogen bonds. We describe methods for their detection and the types of hydrogen bonds that have been identified in glycans thus far. We also show how hydrogen bonds in glycans help form helices and other structures, which may affect the shape of these glycans and thus contribute to their flexibility and function.