Activity of enzymes catalyzing formation of beta-L-fucosyl phosphate and GDP-beta-L-fucose in amphibian tissues and their application in chemo-enzymic synthesis of GDP-beta-L-fucose.

Amphibian oviduct and liver were shown to contain enzymes that catalyze the formation of GDP-beta-L-fucose from GDP-alpha-D-mannose or L-fucose. The conversion of L-fucose into beta-L-fucopyranosyl phosphate was achieved on a preparative scale using high-activity fucokinase in toad liver extracts. For chemo-enzymic preparation of GDP-beta-L-fucose, a convenient modification for pyrophosphate synthesis through phosphomorpholidate which does not require anhydrous conditions is suggested.