Structure, biosynthesis and functions of glycoprotein glycans

Glycosylation characteristics of pigmentation-associated antigen (GP75): an intracellular glycoprotein of human melanocytes and malignant melanomas

Pigmentation-associated antigen (PAA) or gp75 is a glycoprotein localized to the melanosomes of human melanomas and melanocytes to which a mouse monoclonal antibody (AbTA99) has been produced (T. M. Thomson et al. (1985) J. Invest. Dermatol. 85, 169). Treatment of 3H-labeled immunoprecipitated melanoma PAA with alkaline-borohydride, hydrazinolysis, or N-glycanase released three families of carbohydrate chains (I, II, and III). Peak I consists of a major component (Ia) of sialylated triantennary N-linked chains which are partially substituted with fucose on terminal positions as well as on the chitobiose core and a minor component (Ib) which is a sialylated biantennary N-linked species. Peak II was not well characterized but may be a monoantennary complex chain species. Peak III consists of typical N-linked high mannose units with six to seven mannose residues. Melanocyte PAA carbohydrate chains have the same general features as melanoma PAA except that the biantennary complex chain predominates; this difference resembles that observed between the cell surface glycopeptides of transformed animal cells and their nontransformed counterparts. The glycosylation characteristics of this melanosomal glycoprotein are compared with those of glycoproteins from endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, and lysosomes, and with tyrosinase. It is suggested that the glycosylation pattern is a reflection of the biosynthetic origin and cellular destination of a particular organelle and its constituents.

Differential processing of Asn-linked oligosaccharides on pituitary glycoprotein hormones: implications for biologic function

Luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and thyroid-stimulating hormone from pituitary and chorionic gonadotropin from placenta are a family of glycoproteins, each consisting of an alpha and beta subunit. Within an animal species, the alpha subunit of all four hormones contains the identical amino acid sequence, while each beta subunit is distinct and confers biologic specificity to the hormone dimer. Despite sharing common alpha subunits, these hormones bear Asn-linked oligosaccharides which differ in structure. Whereas chorionic gonadotropin contains exclusively neutral and sialylated oligosaccharides, the pituitary hormones bear neutral, sialylated, sulfated, and sialylated/sulfated structures. The sulfated oligosaccharides are unique in structure and are more prevalent on certain pituitary hormones, indicating that the synthesis of these unusual oligosaccharides is tightly regulated. The differences in oligosaccharide structures in conjunction with the highly specific endocrine responses elicited by these hormones, suggest an important functional role for the oligosaccharides, such as metabolic clearance, control of hormone response, modulation of hormone potency, and/or intracellular sorting of hormones into separate secretory granules.

Current ideas on the significance of protein glycosylation

Carbohydrate has been removed from a number of glycoproteins without major effect on the structure or enzyme activity of the protein. Thus carbohydrate has been suggested to underly a non-primary function for proteins, such as in relatively non-specific interactions with other carbohydrates or macromolecules, stabilization of protein conformation, or protection from proteolysis. This non-specific concept is consistent with both the general similarity in carbohydrate structure on very diverse glycoproteins and the frequent structural microheterogeneity of carbohydrate chains at given sites. The concept is supported in a general sense by the viability of cells whose glycosylation processes have been globally disrupted by mutation or pharmacological inhibitors. In contrast to the above observations, other studies have revealed the existence of specific, selective receptors for discrete oligosaccharide structures on glycoproteins which seem to be important for compartmentalization of the glycoprotein, or the positioning of cells on which the glycoprotein is concentrated. Sometimes multivalency in the carbohydrate-receptor interaction is crucial. There are additional possible roles for carbohydrate in the transduction of information upon binding to a receptor. The possibility of specific roles for carbohydrate is supported by the existence of numerous unique carbohydrate structures, many of which have been detected as glycoantigens by monoclonal antibodies, with unique distributions in developing and differentiated cells. This article attempts to summarize and rationalize the contradictory results. It appears that in general carbohydrate does in fact underlie only roles secondary to a protein's primary function. These secondary roles are simple non-specific ones of protection and stabilization, but often also satisfy the more sophisticated needs of spatial position control and compartmentalization in multicellular eukaryotic organisms. It is suggested that there are advantages, evolutionarily speaking, for the shared use of carbohydrate for non-specific roles and for specific roles primarily as luxury functions to be executed during the processes of cell differentiation and morphogenesis.

Inhibition of oligosaccharide processing and membrane morphogenesis in retinal rod photoreceptor cells

Castanospermine (Cas), an inhibitor of alpha-glucosidase I, blocks "trimming" of the N-linked oligosaccharide Glc3Man9GlcNAc2, thus preventing normal glycoprotein maturation. With use of a dual-label protocol, Xenopus retinas incubated in the presence of Cas exhibited at least a 2.3-fold increase in the incorporation of [3H]mannose into total retina Cl3CCOOH-precipitable material, whereas incorporation of [14C]leucine was not significantly affected, relative to controls. Analysis of NaDodSO4/PAGE fluorograms of solubilized retinas and rod outer segment (ROS) membranes indicated a relatively selective effect of Cas on opsin (the rod visual pigment apoglycoprotein). The apparent molecular mass of opsin was increased by approximately 2500 in the presence of Cas; the incorporation of [3H]mannose into opsin was enhanced about 2.3-fold without a significant effect on [14C]leucine incorporation, relative to controls. Electron microscopic autoradiography of retinas incubated for 4 hr with [3H]mannose showed that the number of newly formed ROS discs in Cas-treated retinas was not significantly different from controls, but the silver grain density over those discs was about 2.6-fold greater than in controls. The morphology of the newly formed discs was comparable under both conditions. Thus, opsin bearing abnormally large oligosaccharides can be accommodated in the process of disc morphogenesis. These results suggest that the structural requirements for opsin's oligosaccharides, with regard to their potential role as determinants of disc morphogenesis, are not stringent. Furthermore, post-translational processing of N-linked oligosaccharides is not essential for the normal intracellular routing and cell surface expression of membrane glycoproteins.

Galactosyltransferase-dependent sialylation of complex and endo-N-acetylglucosaminidase H-treated core N-glycans in vitro

Purified beta-N-acetylglucosaminide beta(1-4)galactosyltransferase and partially purified beta-galactoside alpha(2-6)-sialyltransferase were used to elongate and terminate glycan chains of agalacto-ovalbumin and endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H-treated yeast invertase in vitro. In the presence of both transferases, 0.1 mol sialic acid was incorporated per mol agalacto-ovalbumin within 24 h. Evidence is presented to show that purification of the galactosylated intermediate increases the efficiency of sialylation. Incorporation of sialic acid into endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H-treated oligomannose glycoproteins may be useful for in vivo stabilization of these glycoproteins by preventing uptake in liver or reticuloendothelial cells.

Histological demonstration of wheat germ lectin binding sites in the liver of normal and ANIT treated rats

Wheat-germ lectin peroxidase conjugate was used to stain the liver of normal rats and rats given alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT). Changes in patterns in bile duct and canalicular staining were compatible with the hypothesis that cell damage caused by ANIT is essentially restricted to bile ducts.

Biosynthesis of disialylated beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1----3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopy ran osyl oligosaccharide chains. Identification of a beta-D-galactoside alpha-(2----3)- and a 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucoside alpha-(2----6)-sialyltransferase in regenerating rat liver and other tissues

Regenerating rat liver microsomes contain a beta-D-galactoside alpha-(2----3)- and a 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucoside alpha-(2----6)-sialyltransferase that are involved in the synthesis of the terminal alpha-NeuAc-(2----3)-beta-D-Galp-(1----3)-alpha-[NeuAc-(2----6)]-beta- D-GlcpNAc-(1----R) group occurring in human milk oligosaccharides and the glycan chains of several N-glycoproteins. Analysis by liquid chromatography and methylation of the products of sialylation obtained when lacto-N-tetraose [beta-D-Galp-(1----3)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----3)-beta-D-Galp-(1----4) -D-Glc] was used as a substrate in the incubations in vitro indicated that the disialylated sequence is formed for greater than 95% through the tetrasaccharide alpha-NeuAc-(2----3)-beta-D-Gal-(1----3)-beta-D-GlcNAc-(1----3)-beta-D-G al- (1----4)-D-Glc as one of two possible intermediates. This indicates that in the synthesis of the disialylated sequence the alpha-(2----3)- and the alpha-(2----6)-sialyltransferase act in a highly preferred order in which the alpha-(2----3) enzyme acts first. This order is imposed by the specificity of the alpha-(2----6)-sialyltransferase, which requires an alpha-NeuAc-(2----3)-beta-D-Gal-(1----3)-beta-D-GlcNAc-(1----R) sequence for optimal activity, and shows very low and no activity with beta-D-Gal-(1----3)-beta-D-GlcNAc-(1----R) and beta-D-GlcNAc-(1----R) acceptor structures, respectively. Results obtained with normal rat, fetal calf, rabbit and human liver, and human placenta indicated that very similar or identical sialyltransferases occur in these tissues. It is suggested that these enzymes differ from the sialyltransferases that previously had been identified in fetal calf liver and human placenta.

Lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin I specifically labels a subset of primary afferent fibers which project selectively to the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord

To examine differential carbohydrate expression among different subsets of primary afferent fibers, several fluorescein-isothiocyanate conjugated lectins were used in a histochemical study of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord of the rabbit. The lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin I specifically labeled a subset of DRG cells and primary afferent fibers which projected to the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn. These results suggest that specific carbohydrates containing L-fucosyl residue is expressed selectively in small diameter primary afferent fibers which subserve nociception or thermoception.

Alterations in relative proportions of microheterogenous forms of human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein in liver disease

To determine whether liver damage correlates with typical changes in alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AGP) carbohydrate branching, we selected patients with liver disease determined by histological liver findings. The severity of their illness was assessed by a clinical classification depending on the presence singly or together of four clinical complications (jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy and weight loss). An alpha 1-AGP crossed immunoelectrophoresis with Concanavalin A, an easy-to-perform method, revealed 3 or 4 subpopulations, the areas of which were calculated. A ratio R was determined as the most anodic peak area relative to the other ones. In our experimental conditions a ratio R value exceeding 1 correlated with the presence of one or more clinical complications. These results, evidencing fluctuations in the proportion of the carbohydrate variants of alpha 1-AGP, lead us to propose such a ratio as an index for grading liver damage. The sensitivity of this test was 86% and its specificity was 83%.

Loss of endoplasmic reticulum-associated enzymes in affected brain regions in Huntington's disease and Alzheimer-type dementia

Post-mortem brain samples from patients with either Huntington's disease, Alzheimer-type dementia or appropriate controls were assayed for endoplasmic reticulum enzymes, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, neutral alpha-glucosidase, inosine diphosphatase, alpha-mannosidase and glucose-6-phosphatase and for Golgi enzymes, fucosyl- and galactosyl-transferases. In Alzheimer-type dementia there was a selective decrease in alpha-glucosidase activity in the temporal cortex. In Huntington's disease there was a selective decrease of putamen alpha-glucosidase and fucosyl-transferase activities. It is suggested that these changes reflect highly specific alterations in glycoprotein synthesis and processing and may contribute to the underlying pathology of these disorders.

[Synthesis of a branched pentasaccharide sequence of "bisected" structure of N-glycoproteins]

For the synthesis of the threefold-branched pentasaccharide, O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----3)-O-[(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D- glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)]-O-[alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----6)]-O-beta-D- mannopyranosyl-(1----4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose (20), which is a part of the structure of the N-glycoproteins, the disaccharide 4-O-(4-O-acetyl-3,6-di-O-allyl-2-O-benzyl-beta-D-mannopyranosyl) -1,6-anhydro-2-azido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranose was synthesized as a key compound by use of the silver silicate-catalyst procedure. After elimination of the 4-O-acetyl group, a 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl group was attached according to the phthalimido method. Further elimination of the allyl groups allowed the linkage of two alpha-D-mannopyranosyl groups in the presence of mercury salt. A deblocking sequence consisting of four steps gave 20.

Electron microscopy of the initial stages of placentation in the pig

To elucidate the morphology of the initial stages of epitheliochorial placentation in the pig, material from 10 sows of the Danish Landrace and from one Göttinger minipig gilt from day 13 to day 26 of gestation was processed for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The observed foetomaternal interaction from day 19 1/2 minipig placenta corresponded well to the observations on the Danish Landrace placenta. From the results and the discussion it was concluded that the following structures were implicated in the initial phases of placentation in the pig: Protruding epithelial proliferations of the uterine epithelium enclosed by chorionic caps serving to immobilize the blastocyst (days 13 and 14). A thick glycocalyx on the maternal and a thin one on the foetal epithelium before contact. Close apposition between the apical plasma membranes from trophoblastic and uterine epithelium (day 14). Development of interdigitating microvilli (days 15-16). Formation of apical domes on the uterine epithelium closely related to the trophoblast provided with long cytoplasmic extensions into a luminal space between the apical domes, apparently representing a transition from histiotropic to haemotrophic nutrition (days 15-20). Placentation, development of interdigitating microvilli between foetal and maternal epithelium, was extended but not terminated in the peripheral zone at day 26.

Lectin probes of glycoconjugates in human salivary gland neoplasms: 2

Lectins are proteins or glycoproteins which exhibit a high affinity for specific sugar molecules. Terminal sugars on cell surface or cytoplasmic oligosaccharides bound to proteins and lipids can be probed with lectins. This study records the lectin-binding characteristics of 20 salivary gland neoplasms and compares them with observations in normal human serous and mucous salivary glands. The results of this study support the current histogenetic concepts for the development of some of the salivary gland neoplasms.

Lectin probes of glycoconjugates in human salivary glands: 1

Research into the oligosaccharide content of glycoproteins in saliva indicates that serous saliva primarily contains N-glycosidically linked carbohydrate chains with high concentrations of mannose, whereas mucous saliva contains a predominance of O-glycosidically linked carbohydrate chains with high concentrations of terminal fucose and N-acetylneuraminic acid molecules. These differences between serous and mucous saliva can be visualized morphologically in salivary gland tissues by differential lectin binding in acinar cells and duct contents. This study utilizes a fluorescein-labelled lectin-binding method to demonstrate these differences and to study the characteristics of ductal and myoepithelial cells in salivary gland tissues. The results generally confirm the predictable differential binding.

Passive avoidance training increases fucose incorporation into glycoproteins in chick forebrain slices in vitro

When day old chicks are trained to avoid pecking at a bright bead coated with methyl anthranilate, many neurochemical changes, both transient and longer lasting, have been found. These include an increased fucose incorporation in vivo into particulate glycoproteins, which persists for at least 24 hrs after training. We have now developed an in vitro method for studying fucose incorporation and have been able to replicate effects of training found in vivo. Chick forebrain slices incubated at 42 degrees in a glucose containing-medium incorporate L-[U14C]fucose linearly for up to 3 hrs at rates of 30-35 nmol/g prot/hr. Incorporation was only 60% inhibited by cycloheximide indicating that some fucosylation is occurring on pre-existing proteins. Fucose incorporation was compared in slices from trained and control chicks and, as in vivo, a 16% increase in incorporation into the right forebrain base of trained birds was found. This increase was confined to the microsomal fraction. When cycloheximide was added to the incubation medium, the enhanced fucose incorporation in slices from trained birds was still observed.

Localization of galactosyl- and sialyltransferase by immunofluorescence: evidence for different sites

Polyclonal rabbit antisera against soluble human milk galactosyltransferase and bovine colostrum sialyltransferase were used to localize by indirect immunofluorescence the respective intracellular enzymes in primary cultures from bovine fetal kidneys and established cell lines of human and bovine fibroblasts. Staining for galactosyltransferase was juxtanuclear and crescent shaped in epitheloid cells; a similar staining, occasionally perinuclear and sparsely distributed in the cytoplasm, was found in fibroblasts. In contrast, staining for sialyltransferase in epitheloid kidney cells derived from the same primary culture was observed predominantly in cytoplasmic vesicles that were spread over the whole cytoplasm. Sialyltransferase-positive vesicles had a similar distribution in fibroblasts and often appeared concentrated around an unstained Golgi area. Thus, in both cell types galactosyl- and sialyltransferase were localized in different subcellular compartments. Since both galactosyl- and sialyltransferase participate in formation of the terminal glycan NeuAc(alpha 2----6)Gal(beta 1----4)GlcNAc(Neu, neuraminic acid) present in many N-glycosidic complex types of glycans, different subcellular compartments for these enzymes support a model of functional compartmentalization of the Golgi apparatus that is compatible with an assembly-line model for glycan chain elongation and termination.

Effect of tunicamycin and monensin on biosynthesis, transport, and maturation of bovine herpesvirus type-1 glycoproteins

The effect of tunicamycin and monensin on the biosynthesis, intracellular transport, and maturation of bovine herpesvirus type-1 (BHV-1) glycoproteins was examined. Tunicamycin completely inhibited the production of infectious virus particles and significantly reduced the incorporation of [3H]glucosamine into viral glycoproteins. In the presence of monensin, reduced amounts of infectious virus particles were produced, which was mainly due to inhibition of virus release, rather than virus production. Monensin only slightly inhibited viral glycoprotein synthesis. The effects of these compounds on infectivity indicated that glycosylation is required for the production of infectious virus, though complete processing of the glycoproteins is not essential. In addition, egress of the virions from infected cells probably requires a functional Golgi complex. In the presence of tunicamycin or monensin various degrees of glycosylation of the major glycoproteins occurred, consequently their rates of migration differed from that of the normal glycoproteins. Tunicamycin completely blocked glycosylation of GVP 6/11a/16 and GVP 7. In contrast, GVP 3/9 and GVP 11b were partially glycosylated in the presence of tunicamycin. These results indicated that GVP 6/11a/16 and GVP 7 are N-linked glycoproteins, but GVP 3/9 and GVP 11b contain both N- and O-linked oligosaccharide side chains. Tunicamycin blocked the transport of all viral glycoproteins to the cell surface, suggesting that glycosylation is required for this process. In the presence of monensin, the viral glycoproteins were transported and expressed on the cell surface indicating that transport does not require complete processing of the glycoproteins and may occur via a Golgi-independent pathway. In addition, monensin-treated BHV-1 infected cells could act as target cells in an antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity assay. Thus, complete glycosylation may not be essential for maintenance of antigenicity and participation in immune destruction.

Carbohydrate-structure-dependent recognition of desialylated serum glycoproteins in the liver and leucocytes. Two complementary systems

Oligosaccharides with four different types of branching were prepared from purified human transferrin, alpha 2-macroglobulin, caeruloplasmin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and labelled with NaBH3 3H. Binding of these oligosaccharides to rat liver plasma membrane, rat leucocytes, pig liver plasma membranes and pig leucocyte plasma membranes was investigated. A striking dependence of binding on oligosaccharide branching was observed. The values of apparent association constants Ka at 4 degrees C vary from 10(6) M-1 (biantennary structure) to 10(9) M-1 (tetra-antennary structure) in the liver, whereas in the leucocytes the Ka values were found to be of reversed order, from 1.8 X 10(9) M-1 for biantennary to 2.2 X 10(6) M-1 for tetra-antennary structures. The binding is completely inhibited by 150 mM-D-galactose, but 150 mM-D-mannose has almost no effect on binding. Leucocyte plasma membranes bind preferentially 125I-asialoglycoproteins with biantennary oligosaccharides, thus completing the specificity pattern of the hepatic recognition system for desialylated glycoproteins. Possible physiological roles of these two complementary recognition systems under normal and pathological conditions are discussed.

The major oligosaccharides in the large subunit of the hemagglutinin from fowl plague virus, strain Dutch. Structure elucidation by one-dimensional and two-dimensional 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and by methylation analysis

The N-glycosidically linked glycans in the large subunit (HA1) of the hemagglutinin from fowl plague virus, strain Dutch (containing about 15%, w/w, of carbohydrates), were liberated by alkaline hydrolysis, and were filtrated through Bio-Gel as the re-N-acetylated oligosaccharide alditols. One major fraction (90%, mol/mol) was obtained. It was subfractionated by concanavalin A affinity chromatography and was analyzed by methylation/capillary gas chromatography/mass fragmentography and especially by one-dimensional and two-dimensional 1H nuclear magnetic resonance. The major HA1 glycans, which are not sialylated, were thus found to comprise about 40%, 30% and 20% (mol/mol), respectively, of biantennary intersected, biantennary, and triantennary N-acetyllactosaminic ('complex') oligosaccharides. About two thirds of the internal GlcNAc residues in these glycans are substituted by Fuc(alpha 1----6), all the triantennary species carry the third Gal(beta 1----4)GlcNAc(beta 1----unit at the Man(alpha 1----6)-branch, and roughly one fourth of the N-acetyllactosamine units in the non-intersected biantennary oligosaccharides are incomplete.

Carbohydrate structure in tumor immunity

Researchers have endeavored to define surface alterations associated with neoplasia for at least 25 years. In comparisons of normal tissues with animal and human tumors, cultured cells before and after transformation with oncogenic agents, tumorigenic and nontumorigenic transformed cells, metastatic and nonmetastatic tumor cells, high- and low-metastatic variants, and tumor cells before and after induction of differentiation to a less malignant phenotype, a consistent finding has been some form of alteration in surface carbohydrate structures. These changes in glycolipids, glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans are reviewed, and their structures are illustrated. Both nucleotide sugar biosynthesis and glycosyltransferase changes have been associated with these alterations. In some cases, alterations in transformed cells were related to growth, rather than transformation. In others, the altered glycoconjugates are truly tumor-associated. There is evidence that cell surface glycoconjugates may function in growth control. Altered carbohydrate structures could also serve as receptors for growth promoting factors and be directly responsible for altered growth control. Recent studies with monoclonal antibodies indicate that the vast majority of antibodies recognizing tumor-associated antigens are detecting altered carbohydrate structures. Mechanisms by which the immune system can recognize these carbohydrate structures are considered, and immune recognition of tumor-associated carbohydrate structural alterations is explored. A number of these hypotheses relating to alterations in glycosylation, growth control, and tumor immunity deserve further investigation.

Distribution of concanavalin-A receptor sites on the surface of human resting T lymphocytes. A stereological study using concanavalin-A/colloidal-gold-labelled horseradish peroxidase

Stereologic techniques were used to analyse the density and distribution of Concanavalin-A (Con-A) receptor sites on the surface of isolated resting human peripheral-blood T lymphocytes using Con-A/colloidal-gold-labelled horseradish peroxidase. The T-lymphocyte surface appeared to be composed of microvilli, smooth areas and uncoated pits. Coated pits and coated vesicles, identified by the preferential staining of clathrin-containing membranes (tannic-acid/saponin fixation), were scarce. Quantitative analysis of the gold labelling on T lymphocytes after glutaraldehyde fixation indicated the presence of 2.13 +/- 0.46 gold particles per micron of cell surface and that these particles were preferentially located on uncoated pits. These results suggest the existence of cell-surface domains for these receptor sites in human resting T lymphocytes.

Effect of acclimation temperature on Km values towards GDP-mannose of the microsomal dolichol phosphate mannosyltransferase activity of trout liver (Salmo gairdnerii)

Apparent Km value for GDP-mannose remained stable when trout were raised and when enzyme activity was assayed at temps corresponding to the natural biological temp (between 5 and 15 degrees C). The Km value increased when the temperature of the assay was higher than 21 degrees C. Marked increase of the Km value was observed when trout were acclimated at 21 degrees C, whatever the temperature of the assay between 5 and 30 degrees C.

The role of the carbohydrate moiety on the size heterogeneity and immunologic determinants of human testosterone-estradiol-binding globulin

Human testosterone-estradiol-binding globulin (hTeBG) has been purified to apparent homogeneity by several laboratories using procedures which, in most instances, were labor intensive. In this report, hTeBG was purified from pregnancy serum by a newly developed two step procedure involving sequential affinity chromatography and ion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (ion-exchange HPLC). The purity of the final product was confirmed by silver stained SDS-polyacrylamide gel and reverse phase HPLC monitored at 206 nm. hTeBG purified by ion-exchange-HPLC maintained binding activity by Dextran coated charcoal (DCC) assay and size heterogeneity on SDS-polyacrylamide gels which were indistinguishable from those of the proteins purified by conventional chromatography. Removal of the carbohydrate moiety from the molecule by both enzymatic and chemical treatment reduced the apparent molecular size and eliminated lectin binding of hTeBG subunits. Deglycosylation did not, however, abolish or alter the distribution of the protomeric forms of this subunit. We conclude that hTeBG is a dimer whose monomer exhibits two protomeric forms which is not a result of carbohydrate heterogeneity. In addition, disialylated and deglycosylated hTeBG exhibited antigenic determinants identical to the native protein.

Purification of hamster melanoma tyrosinases and structural studies of their asparagine-linked sugar chains

In cultured melanotic melanoma, a marked decrease of pigmentation has been found to be induced by the addition of tunicamycin [Y. Mishima and G. Imokawa (1983) J. Invest. Dermatol. 81, 106-114]. Since it appears that this impaired pigmentation arises from the loss of asparagine-linked sugar chains serving as a signal for transport of tyrosinase from GERL (Golgi-associated endoplasmic reticulum of lysosomes) to premelanosomes, tyrosinases from the membrane fraction of Greene's hamster melanoma have been purified, and the structures of their sugar chains have been analyzed. Two kinds of tyrosinases were purified by Triton X-100 solubilization; DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-200, and DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography; and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The two tyrosinases were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and both corresponded to Mr 69,000. Their asparagine-linked sugar chains were released by hydrazinolysis and analyzed. The sugar chains of the two tyrosinases were identical except for the sialic acid contents. One mole of each tyrosinase contained 1 mol of high-mannose-type sugar chains and 3 mol of complex-type sugar chains. The former chain has Man3 approximately 5 X GlcNAc2 and the latter has Man3 X GlcNAc beta 1----4(+/- Fuc alpha 1----6)GlcNAc as their core structures. The complex-type sugar chains are composed of mono-, bi-, tri-, and tetraantennary sugar chains, with +/- Sia alpha 2----3Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----as their outer chains.

Receptors on red cells for Plasmodium falciparum and their interaction with merozoites

The red cell sialoglycoproteins (glycophorins, alpha (A), delta (B) and beta and gamma (C] play a crucial role in the invasion of human red cells by merozoites of Plasmodium falciparum. Red cells deficient in any of the glycophorins, including beta (also known as glycoconnectin), resist infection by this parasite to varying degrees. These cells and other naturally occurring well-characterized glycophorin variants provide extremely powerful tools to dissect the role of these molecules in invasion. The binding of merozoites to human red cells appears analogous to the binding of wheatgerm agglutinin to sialoglycoconjugates. In both systems O- and N-linked oligosaccharides may be involved. Membrane lipid has not been implicated as a receptor for merozoites, but may instead non-specifically modify binding, as may electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. The results of data using monoclonal antibodies and lectins, although possibly helpful in identifying specific determinants, must be interpreted with caution. Overall the data suggest that the red cell receptors for all strains of P. falciparum tested to date are located on the glycophorins. Accordingly these putative receptors have been used to affinity-purify complementary parasite components which may yet prove to be of protective immunological significance in a vaccine.

Major oligosaccharides in the glycoprotein of Friend murine leukemia virus: structure elucidation by one- and two-dimensional proton nuclear magnetic resonance and methylation analysis

The highly microheterogeneous, N-glycosidically linked oligosaccharides in the glycoproteins of Friend murine leukemia virus (as produced by Eveline cells) were liberated with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H and by alkaline hydrolysis. They were fractionated (as desialylated oligosaccharitols) by gel filtration and by concanavalin A affinity chromatography, and the major fractions were analyzed by methylation-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, by digestion with exoglycosidases, and, especially, by one- and two-dimensional proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Guidelines for qualitative and quantitative analysis of complex oligosaccharide mixtures by NMR were worked out and the results compared with those obtained by methylation analysis. It was found that these major fractions consist of bi-, tri-, and tetraantennary oligosaccharitols of the "complex" type (comprising a minority of species with N-acetyllactosamine repeating units), which are, in part, substituted by nonreducing terminal Gal alpha (1----3) and/or bisecting GlcNAc beta (1----4) residues.

Identification of asparagine-linked oligosaccharides involved in tumor cell adhesion to laminin and type IV collagen

MDW4, a wheat germ agglutinin-resistant nonmetastatic mutant of the highly metastatic murine tumor cell line called MDAY-D2 has previously been shown to attach to fibronectin and type IV collagen, whereas MDAY-D2 and phenotypic revertants of MDW4 attached poorly to these substrates. The increased adhesiveness of the mutant cells appeared to be closely related to a lesion in cell surface carbohydrate structures. In an effort to identify the carbohydrates involved in cell attachment, glycopeptides isolated from mutant and wild-type cells as well as from purified glycoproteins were tested for their ability to inhibit the attachment of MDW4 cells to plastic surfaces coated with fibronectin, laminin, or type IV collagen. The addition of mannose-terminating glycopeptide to the adhesion assay inhibited MDW4 cell attachment to type IV collagen. In contrast, a sialylated poly N-acetyllactosamine-containing glycopeptide, isolated from wheat germ agglutinin-sensitive MDAY-D2 cells but absent in MDW4 cells, inhibited MDW4 attachment to laminin. None of the glycopeptides used in this study inhibited attachment of MDW4 cells to fibronectin-coated plastic. Peptide N-glycosidase treatment of the cells to remove surface asparagine-linked oligosaccharides inhibited MDW4 adhesion to type IV collagen, but not to laminin, and the same treatment of the wheat germ agglutinin-sensitive cells enhanced attachment to laminin. Tumor cell attachment to, and detachment from, the sublaminal matrix protein laminin and type IV collagen are thought to be important events in the metastatic process. Our results indicate that tumor cell attachment to these proteins may be partially modulated by the expression of specific oligosaccharide structures associated with the cell surface.

Structure of the oligosaccharides sensitive to endo-beta-n-acetylglucosaminidase H in the glycoprotein of Friend murine leukemia virus

The surface glycoprotein (mixture of isoglycoproteins with Mr 69 000 and 71 000) was isolated from the particles of Friend murine leukemia virus, and was successively digested with protease and with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from Streptomyces griseus. Roughly 20% (w/w) of the carbohydrates in this glycoprotein were thus released, and they were fractionated by high-performance liquid chromatography after reduction with KB3H4/NaBH4. The radioactive oligosaccharitol fractions obtained were analyzed by exoglycosidase digestion, by acetolysis, and, after permethylation, by fast atom-bombardment mass spectrometry, as well as by capillary gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry following hydrolysis, reduction and peracetylation. Around 85% (mol/mol) of the endo-H-sensitive viral glycans were thus found to be oligomannosidic oligosaccharitols of size classes Man5GlcNAcOH, Man6GlcNAcOH, Man8GlcNAcOH, Man7GlcNAcOH, and Man9GlcNAcOH (in order of prevalence), and the major structural isomers of each size class were identified. About another 15% (mol/mol) of the oligosaccharitols were shown to be of the 'mixed type', comprising mainly four species in which the Man(alpha 1----6)-branch of the Man alpha 1----6 (Man alpha 1----3) Man beta 1----4GlcNAcOH core is substituted by one or two additional alpha-mannoses, while the Man(alpha 1----3)-branch carries an N-acetyllactosamine unit substituted by sialic acid, or by Gal(alpha 1----3).

Biosynthesis of a disialylated sequence in N-linked oligosaccharides: identification of an N-acetylglucosaminide (alpha26)-sialyltransferase in Golgi apparatus from rat liver

Rat liver Golgi apparatus are shown to have a CMP-N-acetylneuraminate: N-acetylglucosaminide (alpha 2----6)-sialyltransferase which catalyzes the conversion of the human milk oligosaccharide LS-tetrasaccharide-a (NeuAc alpha 2----3Gal beta 1---- 3GlcNAc beta 1----3Gal beta 1----4Glc) to disialyllacto -N- tetraose containing the terminal sequence: (formula: see text) found in N-linked oligosaccharides of glycoproteins. The N-acetylglucosaminide (alpha 2----6)-sialyltransferase has a marked preference for the sequence NeuAc alpha 2----3-Gal beta 1---- 3GlcNAc as an acceptor substrate. Thus, the order of addition of the two sialic acids in the disialylated structure shown above is proposed to be first the terminal sialic acid in the NeuAc alpha 2----3Gal linkage followed by the internal sialic acid in the NeuAc alpha 2---- 6GlcNAc linkage. Sialylation in vitro of the type 1 branches (Gal beta 1---- 3GlcNAc -) of the N-linked oligosaccharides of asialo prothrombin to produce the same disialylated sequence is also demonstrated.

The histochemistry of glycosidases in human benign and malignant breast tissue

Histochemical methods for the localization of four glycosidases (beta-glucuronidase, beta-N-acetyl glucosaminidase, beta-D-galactosidase and alpha-mannosidase) have been applied to 40 cases of human normal and hyperplastic breast tissue and 100 human breast carcinomas. All tissues have been fixed in formol-calcium at 4 degrees C and washed in gum sucrose. beta-Glucuronidase and beta-N-acetyl glucosaminidase have consistently been detected in essentially all cells of normal and hyperplastic tissue. A similar distribution has been found for better differentiated carcinomas but the number of cells with detectable enzyme decreases in the more poorly differentiated tumour. beta-D-Galactosidase and alpha-mannosidase have only been demonstrated in very occasional cells in normal breast tissue. The incidence increases in hyperplastic tissue, and in approximately half the carcinomas many cells have detectable enzyme. The localization of beta-D-galactosidase has not been related to tumour differentiation but the better differentiated carcinomas tend to have few cells with demonstrable alpha-mannosidase. Although it has been suggested that glycosidases can have an effect on membrane function no differences have been found between those carcinomas having a few or many cells with detectable enzyme and the presence or absence of axillary lymph node metastasis. Total enzyme activity cannot be detected in fixed tissue, nor can an accurate quantitative assessment be made, but under the conditions of this study it is possible to conclude that there are differences between normal and malignant breast tissue in the localization of glycosidases.

The glycoprotein 71 of ecotropic Friend murine leukemia virus. Structure of the oligosaccharides linked to asparagine-12

The glycoprotein from Friend murine leukemia virus was digested with protease from Staphylococcus aureus V8. A glycopeptide comprising the N-terminal glycosylation site (Asn-12) was isolated from the mixture of fragments and analyzed by amino acid sequencing and methylation-capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry before and after treatment with sialidase from Vibrio cholerae. Asn-12 was thus found to be substituted by a family of partially sialylated, fucosylated, and intersected glycoprotein N-glycans of the hybrid type.

Integrity of glycoprotein complex sugars is required for homing but not for several other membrane-mediated functions

In order to correlate the biochemistry of cell surface carbohydrates with cell function, we have treated cells with swainsonine and followed the biochemical and functional modifications induced by this compound. After treatment with swainsonine, surface glycoproteins had a lower apparent molecular weight and a higher isoelectric point. This is compatible with the replacement of complex carbohydrates by hybrid or high-mannose carbohydrates. Several functional tests were unaffected. However, swainsonine-treated cells displayed an altered pattern of in vivo homing, suggesting that carbohydrates play a role in this process.