Recent examples of the design of glycopolymers and their interactions with lectins are highlighted in this Review. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the emergence of new viruses such as SARS-Cov-2, and it is believed that some glycoconjugates are involved in their infection. The search for glycopolymers effective against unknown pathogens will greatly contribute to the fields of biochemistry and drug development. More information can be found in the Review by Yoshiko Miura, Masanori Nagao, and Hikaru Matsumoto.

Carbohydrates are involved in our life activities through binding to corresponding lectins. Glycopolymer is one of the classes of the emerging materials in recent years that mimic the functions of the glycoconjugates on the cells. This review summarizes the research over the past decade on the design of glycopolymers with a focus on controlling the interactions with lectins.

Abstract

Carbohydrates are involved in life activities through the interactions with their corresponding proteins (lectins). Pathogen infection and the regulation of cell activity are controlled by the binding between lectins and glycoconjugates on cell surfaces. A deeper understanding of the interactions of glycoconjugates has led to the development of therapeutic and preventive methods for infectious diseases. Glycopolymer is one of the classes of the materials present multiple carbohydrates. The properties of glycopolymers can be tuned through the molecular design of the polymer structures. This review focuses on research over the past decade on the design of glycopolymers with the aim of developing inhibitors against pathogens and manipulator of cellular functions.