The ins and outs of binding: Supramolecular control of carbohydrate–protein interactions has been achieved through the design of β-cyclodextrin (βCD) based conjugates whose conformation is dependent on a reversible self-inclusion process. The accessibility of glycoligands to the lectin binding site is then regulated by allosteric inclusion of effector/antagonist-like molecules in the βCD cavity (see scheme).

This work was supported by the Conseil Régional de Picardie under the scientific IBFBio program and by the Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (contract number BQU2003-00937). D.Y. is grateful to the Ministère Gabonais des Finances et des Bourses et Stages for a doctoral fellowship. N.S. is grateful to the Conseil Régional de Picardie for a doctoral fellowship.

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Peer reviewed