The chemical name of MGC is methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranoside. This molecule is a derivative of galactosamine, an amino sugar, and is often found in biological contexts.
Understanding MGC (methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranoside)
MGC, chemically known as methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranoside, is a significant compound often studied in biochemistry and glycobiology. Its structure combines a methyl group, an acetamido group, and a deoxy-galactopyranoside moiety, forming a complex carbohydrate derivative.
Chemical Names and Formula of MGC
While "methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranoside" is the commonly recognized chemical name, various systematic naming conventions can describe the same molecule with high precision, especially when detailing its stereochemistry.
Here's a breakdown of its identifiers:
| Identifier Type | Name/Value |
|---|---|
| Molecule Name | methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranoside |
| Systematic Name | methyl 2-(acetylamino)-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranoside (ACDLabs 10.04) |
| Systematic Name | N-(2S,3R,4R,5R,6R)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methoxy-oxan-3-yl]ethanamide (OpenEye OEToolkits 1.5.0) |
| Chemical Formula | C9 H17 N O6 |
Key Characteristics
- Structure: MGC is a monosaccharide derivative, specifically an O-methyl glycoside of N-acetylgalactosamine. The "alpha-D" in its name refers to the stereochemistry at the anomeric carbon and the overall configuration of the sugar.
- Biological Relevance: Compounds like MGC are vital for understanding glycosylation, a process crucial for many biological functions, including cell recognition, immune response, and protein folding. They serve as building blocks for complex carbohydrates found on cell surfaces and in various biological macromolecules.
- Applications: Due to its well-defined structure, MGC is often used in research as a standard or as a precursor in the synthesis of more complex glycoconjugates. Its properties can be studied to understand how similar structures interact in biological systems.
For further details on MGC and its chemical properties, you can refer to databases like the Chemical Components in the PDB (Protein Data Bank).
