The ganglioside G(D2) induces the constitutive activation of c-Met in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells expressing the G(D3) synthase

We have recently established and characterized cellular clones deriving from MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells that express the human G(D3) synthase (GD3S), the enzyme that controls the biosynthesis of b- and c-series gangliosides. The GD3S positive clones show a proliferative phenotype in the absence of serum or growth factors and an increased tumor growth in severe immunodeficient mice. This phenotype results from the constitutive activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase c-Met in spite of the absence of ligand and subsequent activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathways. Here, we show by mass spectrometry analysis of total glycosphingolipids that G(D3) and G(D2) are the main gangliosides expressed by the GD3S positive clones. Moreover, G(D2) colocalized with c-Met at the plasma membrane and small interfering RNA silencing of the G(M2)/G(D2) synthase efficiently reduced the expression of G(D2) as well as c-Met phosphorylation and reversed the proliferative phenotype. Competition assays using anti-G(D2) monoclonal antibodies also inhibit proliferation and c-Met phosphorylation of GD3S positive clones in serum-free conditions. Altogether, these results demonstrate the involvement of the disialoganglioside G(D2) in MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation via the constitutive activation of c-Met. The accumulation of G(D2) in c-Met expressing cells could therefore reinforce the tumorigenicity and aggressiveness of breast cancer tumors.

Murine model of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis reveals Candida glabrata virulence and contribution of β-mannosyltransferases

Candida glabrata, like Candida albicans, is an opportunistic yeast pathogen that has adapted to colonize all segments of the human gastrointestinal tract and vagina. The C. albicans cell wall expresses β-1,2-linked mannosides (β-Mans), promoting its adherence to host cells and tissues. Because β-Mans are also present in C. glabrata, their role in C. glabrata colonization and virulence was investigated in a murine model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Five clustered genes of C. glabrata encoding β-mannosyltransferases, BMT2-BMT6, were deleted simultaneously. β-Man expression was studied by Western blotting, flow cytometry, and NMR analysis. Mortality, clinical, histologic, and colonization scores were determined in mice receiving DSS and different C. glabrata strains. The results show that C. glabrata bmt2-6 strains had a significant reduction in β-1,2-Man expression and a disappearance of β-1,2-mannobiose in the acid-stable domain. A single gavage of C. glabrata wild-type strain in mice with DSS-induced colitis caused a loss of body weight, colonic inflammation, and mortality. Mice receiving C. glabrata bmt2-6 mutant strains had normal body weight and reduced colonic inflammation. Lower numbers of colonies of C. glabrata bmt2-6 were recovered from stools and different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Histopathologic examination revealed that the wild-type strain had a greater ability to colonize tissue and cause tissue damage. These results showed that C. glabrata has a high pathogenic potential in DSS-induced colitis, where β-Mans contribute to colonization and virulence.

In situ nanochemical imaging of label-free drugs: a case study of antimalarials in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes

We report here for the first time the in vitro localization of unlabeled antimalarial drugs with high spatial resolution. This strategy further enhances our understanding of the action mechanisms of antimalarial drugs. Our approach may be applied to a wide range of domains where quantitative chemical imaging of drugs at the sub-cellular level appears critical.

Sialome analysis of the cephalochordate Branchiostoma belcheri, a key organism for vertebrate evolution

Sialic acid, a common terminal substitution of glycoconjugates, has been so far consistently identified in all vertebrates as well as in a growing number of bacterial species. It is assumed to be widely distributed among animal species of the deuterostome phylum, based on its identification in few echinoderm and all vertebrate species. However, whole sections of deuterostome, especially those intermediate species between invertebrates and vertebrates including cephalochordates, urochordates and hemichordates, are still unexplored in term of sialylation capacities. The discovery of functional sialic acid machinery in some of these species may shed new light onto the evolution of glycosylation capacities in deuterostome lineage. In a first approach, we investigated the sialylation pattern of a cephalocordate species, Branchiostoma belcheri, which occupies a strategic phylogenetic position to understand the transition of invertebrates toward vertebrates. Structural analysis of B. belcheri glycoconjugates established that this organism synthesizes large quantities of various sialic acids, some of which present rare or novel structures such as methylated sialic acids. These sialic acids were shown to be mainly associated with mono- and disialylated core 1-type O-glycans. Moreover, screening of the animal organs revealed the existence of exquisite tissue specificity in the distribution of sialic acids. Description of sialylation profiles was then correlated with the expression patterns of key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of major forms of sialic acids, which provides the first complete overview of the sialylation patterns in cephalochordates.

Platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes with (N,N') and (C,N,N')- ligands derived from pyrazole as anticancer and antimalarial agents: synthesis, characterization and in vitro activities

The study of the reactivity of three 1-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-1H-pyrazole derivatives of general formula [1-(CH(2))(2)NMe(2)}-3,5-R(2)-pzol] {where pzol represents pyrazole and R=H (1a), Me (1b) or Ph (1c)} with [MCl(2)(DMSO)(2)] (M=Pt or Pd) under different experimental conditions allowed us to isolate and characterize cis-[M{κ(2)-N,N'-{[1-(CH(2))(2)NMe(2)}-3,5-R(2)-pzol])}Cl(2)] {MM=PtPt (2a-2c) or Pd (3a-3c)} and two cyclometallated complexes [M{κ(3)-C,N,N'-{[1-(CH(2))(2)NMe(2)}-3-(C(5)H(4))-5-Ph-pzol])}Cl] {M=Pt(II) (4c) or Pd(II) (5c)}. Compounds 4c and 5c arise from the orthometallation of the 3-phenyl ring of ligand 1c. Complex 2a has been further characterized by X-ray crystallography. Ligands and complexes were evaluated for their in vitro antimalarial against Plasmodium falciparum and cytotoxic activities against lung (A549) and breast (MDA MB231 and MCF7) cancer cellular lines. Complexes 2a-2c and 5c exhibited only moderate antimalarial activities against two P. falciparum strains (3D7 and W2). Interestingly, cytotoxicity assays revealed that the platinacycle 4c exhibits a higher toxicity than cisplatin in the three human cell lines and that the complex 2a presents a remarkable cytotoxicity and selectivity in lung (IC(50)=3 μM) versus breast cancer cell lines (IC(50)>20 μM). Thus, complexes 2c and 4c appear to be promising leads, creating a novel family of anticancer agents. Electrophoretic DNA migration studies in presence of the synthesized compounds have been performed, in order to get further insights into their mechanism of action.

Fatty acyl chains of Mycobacterium marinum lipooligosaccharides: structure, localization and acylation by PapA4 (MMAR_2343) protein

We have recently established the fine structure of the glycan backbone of lipooligosaccharides (LOS-I to LOS-IV) isolated from Mycobacterium marinum, a close relative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These studies culminated with the description of an unusual terminal N-acylated monosaccharide that confers important biological functions to LOS-IV, such as macrophage activation, that may be relevant to granuloma formation. It was, however, also suggested that the lipid moiety was required for LOSs to exert their immunomodulatory activity. Herein, using highly purified LOSs from M. marinum, we have determined through a combination of mass spectrometric and NMR techniques, the structure and localization of the fatty acids composing the lipid moiety. The occurrence of two distinct polymethyl-branched fatty acids presenting specific localizations is consistent with the presence of two highly related polyketide synthases (Pks5 and Pks5.1) in M. marinum and presumably involved in the synthesis of these fatty acyl chains. In addition, a bioinformatic search permitted us to identify a set of enzymes potentially involved in the biosynthesis or transfer of these lipids to the LOS trehalose unit. These include MMAR_2343, a member of the Pap (polyketide-associated protein) family, that acylates trehalose-based glycolipids in M. marinum. The participation of MMAR_2343 to LOS assembly was demonstrated using a M. marinum mutant carrying a transposon insertion in the MMAR_2343 gene. Disruption of MMAR_2343 resulted in a severe LOS breakdown, indicating that MMAR_2343, hereafter designated PapA4, fulfills the requirements for LOS acylation and assembly.

Environmental and biofilm-dependent changes in a Bacillus cereus secondary cell wall polysaccharide

Bacterial species from the Bacillus genus, including Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis, synthesize secondary cell wall polymers (SCWP) covalently associated to the peptidoglycan through a phospho-diester linkage. Although such components were observed in a wide panel of B. cereus and B. anthracis strains, the effect of culture conditions or of bacterial growth state on their synthesis has never been addressed. Herein we show that B. cereus ATCC 14579 can synthesize not only one, as previously reported, but two structurally unrelated secondary cell wall polymers (SCWP) polysaccharides. The first of these SCWP, →4)[GlcNAc(β1-3)]GlcNAc(β1-6)[Glc(β1-3)][ManNAc(α1-4)]GalNAc(α1-4)ManNAc(β1→, although presenting an original sequence, fits to the already described the canonical sequence motif of SCWP. In contrast, the second polysaccharide was made up by a totally original sequence, →6)Gal(α1-2)(2-R-hydroxyglutar-5-ylamido)Fuc2NAc4N(α1-6)GlcNAc(β1→, which no equivalent has ever been identified in the Bacillus genus. In addition, we established that the syntheses of these two polysaccharides were differently regulated. The first one is constantly expressed at the surface of the bacteria, whereas the expression of the second is tightly regulated by culture conditions and growth states, planktonic, or biofilm.

A Mycobacterium marinum TesA mutant defective for major cell wall-associated lipids is highly attenuated in Dictyostelium discoideum and zebrafish embryos

Infection of the zebrafish with Mycobacterium marinum is regarded as a well-established experimental model to study the pathogenicity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Herein, a M. marinum transposon mutant library was screened for attenuated M. marinum phenotypes using a Dictyostelium discoideum assay. In one attenuated mutant, the transposon was located within tesA, encoding a putative type II thioesterase. Thin-layer chromatography analyses indicated that the tesA::Tn mutant failed to produce two major cell wall-associated lipids. Mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance clearly established the nature of missing lipids as phthioglycol diphthioceranates and phenolic glycolipids, respectively, indicating that TesA is required for the synthesis of both lipids. When injected into the zebrafish embryo bloodstream, the mutant was found to be highly attenuated, thus validating the performance and relevance of the Dictyostelium screen. Consistent with these in vivo findings, tesA::Tn exhibited increased permeability defects in vitro, which may explain its failure to survive in host macrophages. Unexpectedly, virulence was retained when bacteria were injected into the notochord. Histological and ultrastructural studies of the infected notochord revealed the presence of actively proliferating mycobacteria, leading to larval death. This work presents for the first time the notochord as a compartment highly susceptible to mycobacterial infection.

Structural analysis of an unusual bioactive N-acylated lipo-oligosaccharide LOS-IV in Mycobacterium marinum

Although lipo-oligosaccharides (LOSs) are recognized as major parietal components in many mycobacterial species, their involvement in the host-pathogen interactions have been scarcely documented. In particular, the biological implications arising from the high degree of structural species-specificity of these glycolipids remain largely unknown. Growing recognition of the Mycobacterium marinum-Danio rerio as a specific host-pathogen model devoted to the study of the physiopathology of mycobacterial infections prompted us to elucidate the structure-to-function relationships of the elusive end-product, LOS-IV, of the LOS biosynthetic pathway in M. marinum. Combination of physicochemical and molecular modeling methods established that LOS-IV resulted from the differential transfer on the caryophyllose-containing LOS-III of a family of very unusual N-acylated monosaccharides, naturally present as different diastereoisomers. In agreement with the partial loss of pathogenecity previously reported in a LOS-IV-deficient M. marinum mutant, we demonstrated that this terminal monosaccharide conferred to LOS-IV important biological functions, including macrophage activating properties.

Binding of Toxoplasma gondii glycosylphosphatidylinositols to galectin-3 is required for their recognition by macrophages

We showed that the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α by macrophages in response to Toxoplasma gondii glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) requires the expression of both Toll-like receptors TLR2 and TLR4, but not of their co-receptor CD14. Galectin-3 is a β-galactoside-binding protein with immune-regulatory effects, which associates with TLR2. We demonstrate here by using the surface plasmon resonance method that the GPIs of T. gondii bind to human galectin-3 with strong affinity and in a dose-dependent manner. The use of a synthetic glycan and of the lipid moiety cleaved from the GPIs shows that both parts are involved in the interaction with galectin-3. GPIs of T. gondii also bind to galectin-1 but with a lower affinity and only through the lipid moiety. At the cellular level, the production of TNF-α induced by T. gondii GPIs in macrophages depends on the expression of galectin-3 but not of galectin-1. This study is the first identification of a galectin-3 ligand of T. gondii origin, and galectin-3 might be a co-receptor presenting the GPIs to the TLRs on macrophages.

Mycobacterium marinum lipooligosaccharides are unique caryophyllose-containing cell wall glycolipids that inhibit tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion in macrophages

Earlier studies have reported a role for lipooligosaccharides (LOSs) in sliding motility, biofilm formation, and infection of host macrophages in Mycobacterium marinum. Although a LOS biosynthetic gene cluster has recently been identified in this species, many structural features of the different LOSs (LOS-I-IV) are still unknown. This clearly hampers assessing the contribution of each LOS in mycobacterial virulence as well as structure-function-based studies of these important cell wall-associated glycolipids. In this study, we have identified an M. marinum isolate, M. marinum 7 (Mma7), which failed to produce LOS-IV but instead accumulated large amounts of LOS-III. Local genomic comparison of the LOS biosynthetic cluster established the presence of a highly disorganized region in Mma7 compared with the standard M strain, characterized by multiple genetic lesions that are likely to be responsible for the defect in LOS-IV production in Mma7. Our results indicate that the glycosyltransferase LosA alone is not sufficient to ensure LOS-IV biosynthesis. The availability of different M. marinum strains allowed us to determine the precise structure of individual LOSs through the combination of mass spectrometric and NMR techniques. In particular, we established the presence of two related 4-C-branched monosaccharides within LOS-II to IV sequences, of which one was never identified before. In addition, we provided evidence that LOSs are capable of inhibiting the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human macrophages. This unexpected finding suggests that these cell wall-associated glycolipids represent key effectors capable of interfering with the establishment of a pro-inflammatory response.

Low incidence of N-glycolylneuraminic acid in birds and reptiles and its absence in the platypus

The sialic acids of the platypus, birds, and reptiles were investigated with regard to the occurrence of N-glycolylneuraminic (Neu5Gc) acid. They were released from tissues, eggs, or salivary mucin samples by acid hydrolysis, and purified and analyzed by thin-layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. In muscle and liver of the platypus only N-acetylneuraminic (Neu5Ac) acid was found. The nine bird species studied also did not express N-glycolylneuraminic acid with the exception of an egg, but not tissues, from the budgerigar and traces in poultry. Among nine reptiles, including one turtle, N-glycolylneuraminic acid was only found in the egg and an adult basilisk, but not in a freshly hatched animal. BLAST analysis of the genomes of the platypus, the chicken, and zebra finch against the CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase did not reveal the existence of a similar protein structure. Apparently monotremes (platypus) and sauropsids (birds and reptiles) cannot synthesize Neu5Gc. The few animals where Neu5Gc was found, especially in eggs, may have acquired this from the diet or by an alternative pathway. Since Neu5Gc is antigenic to man, the observation that this monosaccharide does not or at least only rarely occur in birds and reptiles, may be of nutritional and clinical significance.

Molecular phenotyping of mannosyltransferases-deficient Candida albicans cells by high-resolution magic angle spinning NMR

The yeast Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that causes infections in immunocompromised individuals with a high morbidity and mortality levels. Recognition of yeasts by host cells is directly mediated by cell wall components of the yeast, including a wide range of abundantly expressed glycoconjugates. Of particular interest in C. albicans are the beta-mannosylated epitopes that show a complex expression pattern on N-glycan moiety of phosphopeptidomannans and are absent in the non-pathogenic species Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Being known as potent antigens for the adaptive immune response and elicitors of specific infection-protective antibodies, the exact delineation of beta-mannosides regulation and expression pathways has lately become a major milestone toward the comprehension of host-pathogen interplay. Using the newly developed HR-MAS NMR methodology, we demonstrate the possibility of assessing the general profiles of cell-surface-exposed glycoconjugates from intact living yeast cells without any prior purification step. This technique permitted to directly observe structural modifications of surface expressed phosphodiester-linked beta-mannosides on a series of deletion strains in beta-mannosyltransferases and phospho-mannosyltransferases compared with their parental strains.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the expression pattern of the zebrafish alpha2, 8-sialyltransferases (ST8Sia) in the developing nervous system

Sialyltransferases are Golgi type II transmembrane glycoproteins involved in the biosynthesis of sialylated glycolipids and glycoproteins. These sialylated compounds play fundamental roles in the development of a variety of tissues including the nervous system. In this study, we have molecularly cloned from zebrafish sources, the orthologues of the six human alpha2,8-sialyltransferases (ST8Sia), a family of sialyltransferases implicated in the alpha2-8-mono-, oligo-, and poly-sialylation of glycoproteins and gangliosides and we have analysed their expression pattern in the embryonic zebrafish nervous system, using in situ hybridization. Our results show that all six ST8Sia exhibit distinct and overlapping patterns of expression in the developing zebrafish central nervous system with spatial and temporal regulation of the expression of these genes, which suggests a role for the alpha2-8-sialylated compounds in the developing nervous system.

Mycobacterial lipomannan induces MAP kinase phosphatase-1 expression in macrophages

Mycobacterial lipomannan (LM) and lipoarabinomannan (LAM) regulate macrophage activation by interacting with Toll-like receptors (TLRs). The intracellular signalling pathways elicited by these complex molecules are poorly defined. We have demonstrated that LM purified from various mycobacterial species, but not LAM from Mycobacterium kansasii or Mycobacterium bovis BCG, induced expression of the MAP kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP-1) in macrophages. Anti-TLR2 antibodies, as well as specific ERK and p38 MAPK inhibitors, decreased MKP-1 transcription in LM-stimulated cells. These findings suggest that the binding of LM to TLR2 triggers MAPK activation, followed by an up-regulation of MKP-1 expression, which in turn may act as a negative regulator of MAPK activation.

Thiacetazone, an antitubercular drug that inhibits cyclopropanation of cell wall mycolic acids in mycobacteria

Background

Mycolic acids are a complex mixture of branched, long-chain fatty acids, representing key components of the highly hydrophobic mycobacterial cell wall. Pathogenic mycobacteria carry mycolic acid sub-types that contain cyclopropane rings. Double bonds at specific sites on mycolic acid precursors are modified by the action of cyclopropane mycolic acid synthases (CMASs). The latter belong to a family of S-adenosyl-methionine-dependent methyl transferases, of which several have been well studied in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, namely, MmaA1 through A4, PcaA and CmaA2. Cyclopropanated mycolic acids are key factors participating in cell envelope permeability, host immunomodulation and persistence of M. tuberculosis. While several antitubercular agents inhibit mycolic acid synthesis, to date, the CMASs have not been shown to be drug targets.

Methodology/Principle Findings

We have employed various complementary approaches to show that the antitubercular drug, thiacetazone (TAC), and its chemical analogues, inhibit mycolic acid cyclopropanation. Dramatic changes in the content and ratio of mycolic acids in the vaccine strain Mycobacterium bovis BCG, as well as in the related pathogenic species Mycobacterium marinum were observed after treatment with the drugs. Combination of thin layer chromatography, mass spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analyses of mycolic acids purified from drug-treated mycobacteria showed a significant loss of cyclopropanation in both the α- and oxygenated mycolate sub-types. Additionally, High-Resolution Magic Angle Spinning (HR-MAS) NMR analyses on whole cells was used to detect cell wall-associated mycolates and to quantify the cyclopropanation status of the cell envelope. Further, overexpression of cmaA2, mmaA2 or pcaA in mycobacteria partially reversed the effects of TAC and its analogue on mycolic acid cyclopropanation, suggesting that the drugs act directly on CMASs.

Conclusions/Significance

This is a first report on the mechanism of action of TAC, demonstrating the CMASs as its cellular targets in mycobacteria. The implications of this study may be important for the design of alternative strategies for tuberculosis treatment.

Polysaccharide structural variability in mycobacteria: identification and characterization of phosphorylated mannan and arabinomannan

Arabinomannan (AMannan) and mannan (Mannan) are major polysaccharides antigens of the mycobacterial capsule. They are highly related to the lipoarabinomannan (LAM) and lipomannan (LM) lipoglycans of the cell wall, known to participate to the immunopathogenesis of mycobacterial infections. Here we present the identification of two related polysaccharides from Mycobacterium kansasii that co-purified with AMannan and Mannan. Structural analysis using GC, MALDI-MS and NMR clearly established these molecules as non-acylated phosphorylated AMannan and Mannan designated P-AMannan and P-Mannan, respectively. These glycoconjugates represent a new source of polysaccharide structural variability in mycobacteria and constitute unique tools for structure-activity relationship studies in order to investigate the role of fatty acids in the biological functions of LAM and LM. The potential participation of these polysaccharides in influencing the outcome of the infection is also discussed.

Identification by surface plasmon resonance of the mycobacterial lipomannan and lipoarabinomannan domains involved in binding to CD14 and LPS-binding protein

The mycobacterial lipoglycans, lipomannan (LM) and lipoarabinomannan (LAM), regulate host defence mechanisms through their interaction with pattern recognition receptors such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs). We have developed a surface plasmon resonance assay to analyse the molecular basis for the recognition of Mycobacterium kansasii LM or LAM, by immobilized CD14 and LPS-binding protein (LBP) both being capable to promote presentation of bacterial glycolipids to TLRs. The affinity of either LM/LAM was higher to CD14 than to LBP. Kinetic and Scatchard analyses were consistent with a model involving a single class of binding sites. These interactions required the lipidic anchor, but not the carbohydrate domains, of LM or LAM. We also provide evidence that addition of recombinant LBP enhanced the stimulatory effect of LM or LAM on matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression and secretion in macrophages, through a TLR1/TLR2-dependent mechanism.

Major O-glycans in the spores of two microsporidian parasites are represented by unbranched manno-oligosaccharides containing -1,2 linkages

Protein glycosylation in microsporidia, a fungi-related group comprising exclusively obligate intracellular parasitic species, is still poorly documented. Here, we have studied glycoconjugate localization and glycan structures in spores of Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Antonospora locustae, two distantly related microsporidians invading mammalian and insect hosts, respectively. The polar sac-anchoring disc complex or polar cap, an apical element of the sporal invasion apparatus, was strongly periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-Ag proteinate-positive. Mannose-binding lectins reacted with the polar cap and recognized several bands (from 20 to 160 kDa) on blots of E. cuniculi protein extracts. Physicochemical analyses provided the first determination of major glycostructures in microsporidia. O-linked glycans were demonstrated to be linear manno-oligosaccharides containing up to eight alpha1, 2-linked mannose residues, thus resembling those reported in some fungi such as Candida albicans. No N-linked glycans were detected. The data are in accordance with gene-based prediction of a minimal O-mannosylation pathway. Further identification of individual mannoproteins should help in the understanding of spore germination mechanism and host-microsporidia interactions.

Structure elucidation of NeuAc, NeuGc and Kdn-containing O-glycans released from Triturus alpestris oviductal mucins

Eggs from Amphibia are surrounded by several layers of jelly that are needed for proper fertilization. Jelly coat is composed of highly glycosylated mucin-type glycoproteins containing up to 60% of carbohydrates, which display a remarkable species-specificity. This material obtained from Triturus alpestris was submitted to reductive beta-elimination and the released oligosaccharide-alditols were further fractionated by HPLC. Structural characterization was performed through a combination of two dimensional (1)H-(1)H and (1)H-(13)C NMR and ESI-MS/MS analysis. Numerous carbohydrate chains are characterized by the presence of the Cad (Sd(a)) determinant, including respectively NeuAc, NeuGc or Kdn as a sialic acid. But the most significant O-glycan sequences which mark the difference between the jelly of T. alpestris and other studies amphibian jellies are polymers of GalNAc(beta 1-4)GlcNAc (LacdiNAc) which form part of the following sequence: HSO(3)(4)(GalNAcbeta 1-4GlcNAcbeta 1-3)(1-3)GalNAcbeta 1-4(GlcNAcbeta 1-3)(0-1)GlcNAcbeta 1-6GalNAc-ol.