O-Linked GlcNAc transferase is a conserved nucleocytoplasmic protein containing tetratricopeptide repeats

Hsp90 regulates O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine transferase: a novel mechanism of modulation of protein O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine modification in endothelial cells

O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification of proteins is involved in many important cellular processes. Increased O-GlcNAc has been implicated in major diseases, such as diabetes and its complications and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, we reported that O-GlcNAc modification occurs in the proteasome and serves to inhibit proteasome function by blocking the ATPase activity in the 19S regulatory cap, explaining, at least in part, the adverse effects of O-GlcNAc modification and suggesting that downregulating O-GlcNAc might be important in the treatment of human diseases. In this study, we report on a novel mechanism to modulate cellular O-GlcNAc modification, namely through heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibition. We observed that O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) interacts with the tetratricopeptide repeat binding site of Hsp90. Inhibition of Hsp90 by its specific inhibitors, radicicol or 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin, destabilized OGT in primary endothelial cell cultures and enhanced its degradation by the proteasome. Furthermore, Hsp90 inhibition downregulated O-GlcNAc protein modifications and attenuated the high glucose-induced increase in O-GlcNAc protein modification, including high glucose-induced increase in endothelial or type 3 isoform of nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) O-GlcNAcylation. These results suggest that Hsp90 is involved in the regulation of OGT and O-GlcNAc modification and that Hsp90 inhibitors might be used to modulate O-GlcNAc modification and reverse its adverse effects in human diseases.

Increasing O-GlcNAc slows neurodegeneration and stabilizes tau against aggregation

Oligomerization of tau is a key process contributing to the progressive death of neurons in Alzheimer's disease. Tau is modified by O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc), and O-GlcNAc can influence tau phosphorylation in certain cases. We therefore speculated that increasing tau O-GlcNAc could be a strategy to hinder pathological tau-induced neurodegeneration. Here we found that treatment of hemizygous JNPL3 tau transgenic mice with an O-GlcNAcase inhibitor increased tau O-GlcNAc, hindered formation of tau aggregates and decreased neuronal cell loss. Notably, increases in tau O-GlcNAc did not alter tau phosphorylation in vivo. Using in vitro biochemical aggregation studies, we found that O-GlcNAc modification, on its own, hinders tau oligomerization. O-GlcNAc also inhibits thermally induced aggregation of an unrelated protein, TAK-1 binding protein, suggesting that a basic biochemical function of O-GlcNAc may be to prevent protein aggregation. These results also suggest O-GlcNAcase as a potential therapeutic target that could hinder progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Insights into O-linked N-acetylglucosamine ([0-9]O-GlcNAc) processing and dynamics through kinetic analysis of O-GlcNAc transferase and O-GlcNAcase activity on protein substrates

Cellular O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) levels are modulated by two enzymes: uridine diphosphate-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine:polypeptidyltransferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcase (OGA). To quantitatively address the activity of these enzymes on protein substrates, we generated five structurally diverse proteins in both unmodified and O-GlcNAc-modified states. We found a remarkably invariant upper limit for k(cat)/K(m) values for human OGA (hOGA)-catalyzed processing of these modified proteins, which suggests that hOGA processing is driven by the GlcNAc moiety and is independent of the protein. Human OGT (hOGT) activity ranged more widely, by up to 15-fold, suggesting that hOGT is the senior partner in fine tuning protein O-GlcNAc levels. This was supported by the observation that K(m,app) values for UDP-GlcNAc varied considerably (from 1 μM to over 20 μM), depending on the protein substrate, suggesting that some OGT substrates will be nutrient-responsive, whereas others are constitutively modified. The ratios of k(cat)/K(m) values obtained from hOGT and hOGA kinetic studies enable a prediction of the dynamic equilibrium position of O-GlcNAc levels that can be recapitulated in vitro and suggest the relative O-GlcNAc stoichiometries of target proteins in the absence of other factors. We show that changes in the specific activities of hOGT and hOGA measured in vitro on calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase IV (CaMKIV) and its pseudophosphorylated form can account for previously reported changes in CaMKIV O-GlcNAc levels observed in cells. These studies provide kinetic evidence for the interplay between O-GlcNAc and phosphorylation on proteins and indicate that these effects can be mediated by changes in hOGT and hOGA kinetic activity.

The roles of O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine in cardiovascular physiology and disease

More than 1,000 proteins of the nucleus, cytoplasm, and mitochondria are dynamically modified by O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc), an essential post-translational modification of metazoans. O-GlcNAc, which modifies Ser/Thr residues, is thought to regulate protein function in a manner analogous to protein phosphorylation and, on a subset of proteins, appears to have a reciprocal relationship with phosphorylation. Like phosphorylation, O-GlcNAc levels change dynamically in response to numerous signals including hyperglycemia and cellular injury. Recent data suggests that O-GlcNAc appears to be a key regulator of the cellular stress response, the augmentation of which is protective in models of acute vascular injury, trauma hemorrhage, and ischemia-reperfusion injury. In contrast to these studies, O-GlcNAc has also been implicated in the development of hypertension and type II diabetes, leading to vascular and cardiac dysfunction. Here we summarize the current understanding of the roles of O-GlcNAc in the heart and vasculature.

Cross talk between O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation: roles in signaling, transcription, and chronic disease

O-GlcNAcylation is the addition of β-D-N-acetylglucosamine to serine or threonine residues of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins. O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) was not discovered until the early 1980s and still remains difficult to detect and quantify. Nonetheless, O-GlcNAc is highly abundant and cycles on proteins with a timescale similar to protein phosphorylation. O-GlcNAc occurs in organisms ranging from some bacteria to protozoans and metazoans, including plants and nematodes up the evolutionary tree to man. O-GlcNAcylation is mostly on nuclear proteins, but it occurs in all intracellular compartments, including mitochondria. Recent glycomic analyses have shown that O-GlcNAcylation has surprisingly extensive cross talk with phosphorylation, where it serves as a nutrient/stress sensor to modulate signaling, transcription, and cytoskeletal functions. Abnormal amounts of O-GlcNAcylation underlie the etiology of insulin resistance and glucose toxicity in diabetes, and this type of modification plays a direct role in neurodegenerative disease. Many oncogenic proteins and tumor suppressor proteins are also regulated by O-GlcNAcylation. Current data justify extensive efforts toward a better understanding of this invisible, yet abundant, modification. As tools for the study of O-GlcNAc become more facile and available, exponential growth in this area of research will eventually take place.

Evidence coupling increased hexosamine biosynthesis pathway activity to membrane cholesterol toxicity and cortical filamentous actin derangement contributing to cellular insulin resistance

Hyperinsulinemia is known to promote the progression/worsening of insulin resistance. Evidence reveals a hidden cost of hyperinsulinemia on plasma membrane (PM) phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2))-regulated filamentous actin (F-actin) structure, components critical to the normal operation of the insulin-regulated glucose transport system. Here we delineated whether increased glucose flux through the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) causes PIP(2)/F-actin dysregulation and subsequent insulin resistance. Increased glycosylation events were detected in 3T3-L1 adipocytes cultured under conditions closely resembling physiological hyperinsulinemia (5 nm insulin; 12 h) and in cells in which HBP activity was amplified by 2 mm glucosamine (GlcN). Both the physiological hyperinsulinemia and experimental GlcN challenge induced comparable losses of PIP(2) and F-actin. In addition to protecting against the insulin-induced membrane/cytoskeletal abnormality and insulin-resistant state, exogenous PIP(2) corrected the GlcN-induced insult on these parameters. Moreover, in accordance with HBP flux directly weakening PIP(2)/F-actin structure, pharmacological inhibition of the rate-limiting HBP enzyme [glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT)] restored PIP(2)-regulated F-actin structure and insulin responsiveness. Conversely, overexpression of GFAT was associated with a loss of detectable PM PIP(2) and insulin sensitivity. Even less invasive challenges with glucose, in the absence of insulin, also led to PIP(2)/F-actin dysregulation. Mechanistically we found that increased HBP activity increased PM cholesterol, the removal of which normalized PIP(2)/F-actin levels. Accordingly, these data suggest that glucose transporter-4 functionality, dependent on PIP(2) and/or F-actin status, can be critically compromised by inappropriate HBP activity. Furthermore, these data are consistent with the PM cholesterol accrual/toxicity as a mechanistic basis of the HBP-induced defects in PIP(2)/F-actin structure and impaired glucose transporter-4 regulation.

The role of intracellular protein O-glycosylation in cell adhesion and disease

Post-translational protein modification, including phosphorylation, is generally quick and reversible, facilitating rapid biologic adjustments to altered cellular physiologic demands. In addition to protein phosphorylation, other post-translational modifications have been identified. Intracellular protein O-glycosylation, the addition of the simple sugar O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) to serine/threonine residues, is a relatively recently identified post-translational modification that has added to the complexity by which protein function is regulated. Two intracellular enzymes, O-GlcNAc transferase and O-GlcNAcase, catalyze the addition and removal, respectively, of O-GlcNAc to serine and threonine side-chain hydroxyl groups. Numerous proteins, including enzymes, transcription factors, receptors and structural proteins have been shown to be modified by intracellular O-glycosylation. In this review, the mechanism and relevance of O-GlcNAc protein modification are discussed in the context of cell adhesion and several representative diseases.

Epigenetics gets sweeter: O-GlcNAc joins the "histone code"

O-GlcNAcylation has now been added to the growing list of histone modifications making up the multifaceted "histone-code" (Sakabe et al., 2010). The sites of O-GlcNAc-histone modification hint at a role in chromatin remodeling, thus adding to mounting evidence that O-GlcNAc cycling sits atop a robust regulatory network maintaining higher-order chromatin structure and epigenetic memory.

Denitrosylation of S-nitrosylated OGT is triggered in LPS-stimulated innate immune response

O-linked N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (OGT)-mediated protein O-GlcNAcylation has been revealing various aspects of functional significance in biological processes, such as cellular signaling and activation of immune system. We found that OGT is maintained as S-nitrosylated form in resting cells, and its denitrosylation is triggered in innate immune response of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated macrophage cells. S-nitrosylation of OGT strongly inhibits its catalytic activity up to more than 80% of native OGT, and denitrosylation of OGT leads to protein hyper-O-GlcNAcylation. Furthermore, blockage of increased protein O-GlcNAcylation results in significant loss of nitric oxide and cytokine production. We propose that denitrosylation of S-nitrosylated OGT is a direct mechanism for upregulation of OGT activity by which immune defense is critically controlled in LPS-stimulated innate immune response.

O-linked-N-acetylglucosamine cycling and insulin signaling are required for the glucose stress response in Caenorhabditis elegans

In a variety of organisms, including worms, flies, and mammals, glucose homeostasis is maintained by insulin-like signaling in a robust network of opposing and complementary signaling pathways. The hexosamine signaling pathway, terminating in O-linked-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) cycling, is a key sensor of nutrient status and has been genetically linked to the regulation of insulin signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans. Here we demonstrate that O-GlcNAc cycling and insulin signaling are both essential components of the C. elegans response to glucose stress. A number of insulin-dependent processes were found to be sensitive to glucose stress, including fertility, reproductive timing, and dauer formation, yet each of these differed in their threshold of sensitivity to glucose excess. Our findings suggest that O-GlcNAc cycling and insulin signaling are both required for a robust and adaptable response to glucose stress, but these two pathways show complex and interdependent roles in the maintenance of glucose-insulin homeostasis.

Cell-penetrant, nanomolar O-GlcNAcase inhibitors selective against lysosomal hexosaminidases

Posttranslational modification of metazoan nucleocytoplasmic proteins with N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is essential, dynamic, and inducible and can compete with protein phosphorylation in signal transduction. Inhibitors of O-GlcNAcase, the enzyme removing O-GlcNAc, are useful tools for studying the role of O-GlcNAc in a range of cellular processes. We report the discovery of nanomolar OGA inhibitors that are up to 900,000-fold selective over the related lysosomal hexosaminidases. When applied at nanomolar concentrations on live cells, these cell-penetrant molecules shift the O-GlcNAc equilibrium toward hyper-O-GlcNAcylation with EC₅₀ values down to 3 nM and are thus invaluable tools for the study of O-GlcNAc cell biology.

Chemical arsenal for the study of O-GlcNAc

The concepts of both protein glycosylation and cellular signaling have been influenced by O-linked-β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification (O-GlcNAcylation) on the hydroxyl group of serine or threonine residues. Unlike conventional protein glycosylation, O-GlcNAcylation is localized in the nucleocytoplasm and its cycling is a dynamic process that operates in a highly regulated manner in response to various cellular stimuli. These characteristics render O-GlcNAcylation similar to phosphorylation, which has long been considered a major regulatory mechanism in cellular processes. Various efficient chemical approaches and novel mass spectrometric (MS) techniques have uncovered numerous O-GlcNAcylated proteins that are involved in the regulation of many important cellular events. These discoveries imply that O-GlcNAcylation is another major regulator of cellular signaling. However, in contrast to phosphorylation, which is regulated by hundreds of kinases and phosphatases, dynamic O-GlcNAc cycling is catalyzed by only two enzymes: uridine diphospho-N-acetyl-glucosamine:polypeptide β-N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase (OGT) and β-D-N-acetylglucosaminidase (OGA). Many useful chemical tools have recently been used to greatly expand our understanding of the extensive crosstalk between O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation and hence of cellular signaling. This review article describes the various useful chemical tools that have been developed and discusses the considerable advances made in the O-GlcNAc field.

Structure of human O-GlcNAc transferase and its complex with a peptide substrate

O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) is an essential mammalian enzyme that couples metabolic status to the regulation of a wide variety of cellular signaling pathways by acting as a nutrient sensor1. OGT catalyzes the transfer of N-acetyl-glucosamine from UDP-GlcNAc to serines and threonines of cytoplasmic, nuclear and mitochondrial proteins2,3, including numerous transcription factors4, tumor suppressors, kinases5, phosphatases1, and histone-modifying proteins6. Aberrant O-GlcNAcylation by OGT has been linked to insulin resistance7, diabetic complications8, cancer9 and neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s10. Despite the importance of OGT, the details of how it recognizes and glycosylates its protein substrates are largely unknown. We report here two crystal structures of human OGT, as a binary complex with UDP (2.8 A) and a ternary complex with UDP and a peptide substrate (1.95 A). The structures provide clues to the enzyme mechanism, show how OGT recognizes target peptide sequences, and reveal the fold of the unique domain between the two halves of the catalytic region. This information will accelerate the rational design of biological experiments to investigate OGT’s functions and the design of inhibitors for use as cellular probes and to assess its potential as a therapeutic target.

6''-Azido-6''-deoxy-UDP-N-acetylglucosamine as a glycosyltransferase substrate

6''-Azido-6''-deoxy-UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-6Az-GlcNAc) is a potential alternate substrate for N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases. This compound could be used to generate various glycoconjugates bearing an azide functionality that could in turn be subjected to further modification using Staudinger ligation or Huisgen cycloaddition. UDP-6Az-GlcNAc is synthesized from α-benzyl-N-acetylglucosaminoside in seven-steps with an overall yield of 6%. It is demonstrated to serve as a substrate donor for the glycosyl transfer reaction catalyzed by the human UDP-GlcNAc:polypeptidyltransferase (OGT) to the acceptor protein nucleoporin 62 (nup62).

[O-GlcNAc glycosylation and regulation of cell signaling]

O-GlcNAcylation corresponds to the addition of N-acetylglucosamine on serine and threonine residues of cytosolic and nuclear proteins. O-GlcNAcylation is a dynamic post-translational modification, analogous to phosphorylation, that regulates the stability, the activity or the sub-cellular localisation of proteins. This reversible modification depends on the availability of glucose and therefore constitutes a powerful means by which cellular activities are regulated according to the nutritional environment of the cell. O-GlcNAcylation has been implicated in important human pathologies including Alzheimer disease and type-2 diabetes. Only two enzymes, OGT and O-GlcNAcase, control the O-GlcNAcylation level on proteins, and thereby regulate signaling pathways. Several lines of evidence indicate that OGT attenuates insulin signal by O-GlcNAcylation of proteins involved in proximal and distal steps in the signaling pathway. This negative feedback may be exacerbated when cells are exposed to elevated glucose concentrations as observed in diabetic patients, and could thereby contribute to insulin resistance and worsening of hyperglycaemia. double dagger.

O-GlcNAc modification, insulin signaling and diabetic complications

O-GlcNAc glycosylation (O-GlcNAcylation) corresponds to the addition of N-acetylglucosamine on serine and threonine residues of cytosolic and nuclear proteins. O-GlcNAcylation is a dynamic post-translational modification, analogous to phosphorylation, that regulates the stability, the activity or the subcellular localisation of target proteins. This reversible modification depends on the availability of glucose and therefore constitutes a powerful mechanism by which cellular activities are regulated according to the nutritional environment of the cell. O-GlcNAcylation has been implicated in important human pathologies including Alzheimer disease and type-2 diabetes. Only two enzymes, OGT and O-GlcNAcase, control the O-GlcNAc level on proteins. Therefore, O-GlcNAcylations cannot organize in signaling cascades as observed for phosphorylations. O-GlcNAcylations should rather be considered as a "rheostat" that controls the intensity of the signals traveling through different pathways according to the nutritional status of the cell. Thus, OGT attenuates insulin signal by O-GlcNAcylation of proteins involved in proximal and distal steps in the PI-3 kinase signaling pathway. This negative feedback may be exacerbated when cells are chronically exposed to elevated glucose concentrations and could thereby contribute to alterations in insulin signaling observed in diabetic patients. O-GlcNAcylation also appears to contribute to the deleterious effects of hyperglycaemia on excessive glucose production by the liver and deterioration of β-cell pancreatic function, resulting in worsening of hyperglycaemia (glucotoxicity). Moreover, O-GlcNAcylations directly participate in several diabetic complications. O-GlcNAcylation of eNOS in endothelial cells have been involved in micro- and macrovascular complications. In addition, O-GlcNAcylations activate the expression of profibrotic and antifibrinolytic factors, contributing to vascular and renal dysfunctions.

Isoforms of human O-GlcNAcase show distinct catalytic efficiencies

O-GlcNAcase (OGA) is a family 84 glycoside hydrolase catalyzing the hydrolytic cleavage of O-linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) from serine and threonine residues of proteins. Thus far, three forms of OGA have been identified in humans. Here we optimized the expression of these isoforms in E. coli and characterized their kinetic properties. Using Geno 3D, we predicted that N-terminal amino acids 63-342 form the catalytic site for O-GlcNAc removal and characterized it. Large differences are observed in the K(m) value and catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/K(m)) for the three OGA variants, though all of them displayed O-GlcNAc hydrolase activity. The full-length OGA had the lowest K(m) value of 0.26 mM and the highest catalytic efficiency of 3.51.10(3). These results reveal that the N-terminal region (a.a. 1-350) of OGA contains the catalytic site for glycoside hydrolase and the C-terminal region of the coding sequence has the ability to stabilize the native three-dimensional structure and further affect substrate affinity.

Blocking O-linked GlcNAc cycling in Drosophila insulin-producing cells perturbs glucose-insulin homeostasis

A dynamic cycle of O-linked GlcNAc (O-GlcNAc) addition and removal is catalyzed by O-GlcNAc transferase and O-GlcNAcase, respectively, in a process that serves as the final step in a nutrient-driven "hexosamine-signaling pathway." Evidence points to a role for O-GlcNAc cycling in diabetes and insulin resistance. We have used Drosophila melanogaster to determine whether O-GlcNAc metabolism plays a role in modulating Drosophila insulin-like peptide (dilp) production and insulin signaling. We employed transgenesis to either overexpress or knock down Drosophila Ogt(sxc) and Oga in insulin-producing cells (IPCs) or fat bodies using the GAL4-UAS system. Knockdown of Ogt decreased Dilp2, Dilp3, and Dilp5 production, with reduced body size and decreased phosphorylation of Akt in vivo. In contrast, knockdown of Oga increased Dilp2, Dilp3, and Dilp5 production, increased body size, and enhanced phosphorylation of Akt in vivo. However, knockdown of either Ogt(sxc) or Oga in the IPCs increased the hemolymph carbohydrate concentration. Furthermore, phosphorylation of Akt stimulated by extraneous insulin in an ex vivo cultured fat body of third instar larvae was diminished in strains subjected to IPC knockdown of Ogt or Oga. Knockdown of O-GlcNAc cycling enzymes in the fat body dramatically reduced neutral lipid stores. These results demonstrate that altered O-GlcNAc cycling in Drosophila IPCs modulates insulin production and influences the insulin responsiveness of peripheral tissues. The observed phenotypes in O-GlcNAc cycling mimic pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and glucose toxicity related to sustained hyperglycemia in mammals.

O-linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) regulates stress-induced heat shock protein expression in a GSK-3beta-dependent manner

To investigate the mechanisms by which O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine modification of nucleocytoplasmic proteins (O-GlcNAc) confers stress tolerance to multiple forms of cellular injury, we explored the role(s) of O-GlcNAc in the regulation of heat shock protein (HSP) expression. Using a cell line in which deletion of the O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT; the enzyme that adds O-GlcNAc) can be induced by 4-hydroxytamoxifen, we screened the expression of 84 HSPs using quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. In OGT null cells the stress-induced expression of 18 molecular chaperones, including HSP72, were reduced. GSK-3β promotes apoptosis through numerous pathways, including phosphorylation of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) at Ser(303) (Ser(P)(303) HSF1), which inactivates HSF1 and inhibits HSP expression. In OGT null cells we observed increased Ser(P)(303) HSF1; conversely, in cells in which O-GlcNAc levels had been elevated, reduced Ser(P)(303) HSF1 was detected. These data, combined with those showing that inhibition of GSK-3β in OGT null cells recovers HSP72 expression, suggests that O-GlcNAc regulates the activity of GSK-3β. In OGT null cells, stress-induced inactivation of GSK-3β by phosphorylation at Ser(9) was ablated providing a molecular basis for these findings. Together, these data suggest that stress-induced GlcNAcylation increases HSP expression through inhibition of GSK-3β.

Elevated O-GlcNAc-dependent signaling through inducible mOGT expression selectively triggers apoptosis

O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) catalyzes O-GlcNAc addition to numerous cellular proteins including transcription and nuclear pore complexes and plays a key role in cellular signaling. One differentially spliced isoform of OGT is normally targeted to mitochondria (mOGT) but is quite cytotoxic when expressed in cells compared with the ncOGT isoform. To understand the basis of this selective cytotoxicity, we constructed a fully functional ecdysone-inducible GFP–OGT. Elevated GFP–OGT expression induced a dramatic increase in intracellular O-GlcNAcylated proteins. Furthermore, enhanced OGT expression efficiently triggered programmed cell death. Apoptosis was dependent upon the unique N-terminus of mOGT, and its catalytic activity. Induction of mOGT expression triggered programmed cell death in every cell type tested including INS-1, an insulin-secreting cell line. These studies suggest that deregulated activity of the mitochondrially targeted mOGT may play a role in triggering the programmed cell death observed with diseases such as diabetes mellitus and neurodegeneration.

O-GlcNAcylation determines the solubility, filament organization, and stability of keratins 8 and 18

Keratins 8 and 18 (K8/18) are intermediate filament proteins expressed specifically in simple epithelial tissues. Dynamic equilibrium of these phosphoglycoproteins in the soluble and filament pool is an important determinant of their cellular functions, and it is known to be regulated by site-specific phosphorylation. However, little is known about the role of dynamic O-GlcNAcylation on this keratin pair. Here, by comparing immortalized (Chang) and transformed hepatocyte (HepG2) cell lines, we have demonstrated that O-GlcNAcylation of K8/18 exhibits a positive correlation with their solubility (Nonidet P-40 extractability). Heat stress, which increases K8/18 solubility, resulted in a simultaneous increase in O-GlcNAc on these proteins. Conversely, increasing O-GlcNAc levels were associated with a concurrent increase in their solubility. This was also associated with a notable decrease in total cellular levels of K8/18. Unaltered levels of transcripts and the reduced half-life of K8 and K18 indicated their decreased stability on increasing O-GlcNAcylation. On the contrary, the K18 glycosylation mutant (K18 S29A/S30A/S48A) was notably more stable than the wild type K18 in Chang cells. The K18-O-GlcNAc mutant accumulated as aggregates upon stable expression, which possibly altered endogenous filament architecture. These results strongly indicate the involvement of O-GlcNAc on K8/18 in regulating their solubility and stability, which may have a bearing on the functions of these keratins.

Mapping O-GlcNAc modification sites on tau and generation of a site-specific O-GlcNAc tau antibody

The microtubule-associated protein tau is known to be post-translationally modified by the addition of N-acetyl-D: -glucosamine monosaccharides to certain serine and threonine residues. These O-GlcNAc modification sites on tau have been challenging to identify due to the inherent complexity of tau from mammalian brains and the fact that the O-GlcNAc modification typically has substoichiometric occupancy. Here, we describe a method for the production of recombinant O-GlcNAc modified tau and, using this tau, we have mapped sites of O-GlcNAc on tau at Thr-123 and Ser-400 using mass spectrometry. We have also detected the presence of a third O-GlcNAc site on either Ser-409, Ser-412, or Ser-413. Using this information we have raised a rabbit polyclonal IgG antibody (3925) that detects tau O-GlcNAc modified at Ser-400. Further, using this antibody we have detected the Ser-400 tau O-GlcNAc modification in rat brain, which confirms the validity of this in vitro mapping approach. The identification of these O-GlcNAc sites on tau and this antibody will enable both in vivo and in vitro experiments designed to understand the possible functional roles of O-GlcNAc on tau.

Substrate and product analogues as human O-GlcNAc transferase inhibitors

Protein glycosylation on serine/threonine residues with N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is a dynamic, inducible and abundant post-translational modification. It is thought to regulate many cellular processes and there are examples of interplay between O-GlcNAc and protein phosphorylation. In metazoa, a single, highly conserved and essential gene encodes the O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) that transfers GlcNAc onto substrate proteins using UDP-GlcNAc as the sugar donor. Specific inhibitors of human OGT would be useful tools to probe the role of this post-translational modification in regulating processes in the living cell. Here, we describe the synthesis of novel UDP-GlcNAc/UDP analogues and evaluate their inhibitory properties and structural binding modes in vitro alongside alloxan, a previously reported weak OGT inhibitor. While the novel analogues are not active on living cells, they inhibit the enzyme in the micromolar range and together with the structural data provide useful templates for further optimisation.

Increased expression of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase in erythrocytes from individuals with pre-diabetes and diabetes

OBJECTIVE

O-linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) plays an important role in the development of insulin resistance and glucose toxicity. O-GlcNAcylation is regulated by O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), which attaches O-GlcNAc to serine and/or threonine residues of proteins and by O-GlcNAcase, which removes O-GlcNAc. We investigated the expression of these two enzymes in erythrocytes of human subjects with diabetes or pre-diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Volunteers with normal condition, pre-diabetes, and diabetes were recruited through a National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) study and at the Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Diabetes Center. Erythrocyte proteins were extracted and hemoglobins were depleted. Global O-GlcNAcylation of erythrocyte proteins was confirmed by Western blotting using an O-GlcNAc-specific antibody. Relative OGT and O-GlcNAcase protein amounts were determined by Western blot analysis. Relative expression of O-GlcNAcase was compared with the level of A1C.

RESULTS

Erythrocyte proteins are highly O-GlcNAcylated. O-GlcNAcase expression is significantly increased in erythrocytes from both individuals with pre-diabetes and diabetes compared with normal control subjects. Unlike O-GlcNAcase, protein levels of OGT did not show significant changes.

CONCLUSIONS

O-GlcNAcase expression is increased in erythrocytes from both individuals with pre-diabetes and individuals with less well-controlled diabetes. These findings, together with the previous study that demonstrated the increased site-specific O-GlcNAcylation of certain erythrocyte proteins, suggest that the upregulation of O-GlcNAcase might be an adaptive response to hyperglycemia-induced increases in O-GlcNAcylation, which are likely deleterious to erythrocyte functions. In any case, the early and substantial upregulation of O-GlcNAcase in individuals with pre-diabetes may eventually have diagnostic utility.

Development of GlcNAc-inspired iminocyclitiols as potent and selective N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase inhibitors

Human N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase (Hex) isozymes are considered to be important targets for drug discovery. They are directly linked to osteoarthritis because Hex is the predominant glycosidase released by chondrocytes to degrade glycosaminoglycan. Hex is also associated with lysosomal storage disorders. We report the discovery of GlcNAc-type iminocyclitiols as potent and selective Hex inhibitors, likely contributed by the gain of extra electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. The most potent inhibitor had a K(i) of 0.69 nM against human Hex B and was 2.5 x 10(5) times more selective for Hex B than for a similar human enzyme O-GlcNAcase. These glycosidase inhibitors were shown to modulate intracellular levels of glycolipids, including ganglioside-GM2 and asialoganglioside-GM2.

The function of GluR1 and GluR2 in cerebellar and hippocampal LTP and LTD is regulated by interplay of phosphorylation and O-GlcNAc modification

Long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) are the current models of synaptic plasticity and widely believed to explain how different kinds of memory are stored in different brain regions. Induction of LTP and LTD in different regions of brain undoubtedly involve trafficking of AMPA receptor to and from synapses. Hippocampal LTP involves phosphorylation of GluR1 subunit of AMPA receptor and its delivery to synapse whereas; LTD is the result of dephosphorylation and endocytosis of GluR1 containing AMPA receptor. Conversely the cerebellar LTD is maintained by the phosphorylation of GluR2 which promotes receptor endocytosis while dephosphorylation of GluR2 triggers receptor expression at the cell surface and results in LTP. The interplay of phosphorylation and O-GlcNAc modification is known as functional switch in many neuronal proteins. In this study it is hypothesized that a same phenomenon underlies as LTD and LTP switching, by predicting the potential of different Ser/Thr residues for phosphorylation, O-GlcNAc modification and their possible interplay. We suggest the involvement of O-GlcNAc modification of dephosphorylated GluR1 in maintaining the hippocampal LTD and that of dephosphorylated GluR2 in cerebral LTP.

O-GlcNAc cycling: emerging roles in development and epigenetics

The nutrient-sensing hexosamine signaling pathway modulates the levels of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) on key targets impacting cellular signaling, protein turnover and gene expression. O-GlcNAc cycling may be deregulated in neurodegenerative disease, cancer, and diabetes. Studies in model organisms demonstrate that the O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT/Sxc) is essential for Polycomb group (PcG) repression of the homeotic genes, clusters of genes responsible for the adult body plan. Surprisingly, from flies to man, the O-GlcNAcase (OGA, MGEA5) gene is embedded within the NK cluster, the most evolutionarily ancient of three homeobox gene clusters regulated by PcG repression. PcG repression also plays a key role in maintaining stem cell identity, recruiting the DNA methyltransferase machinery for imprinting, and in X-chromosome inactivation. Intriguingly, the Ogt gene resides near the Xist locus in vertebrates and is subject to regulation by PcG-dependent X-inactivation. OGT is also an enzymatic component of the human dosage compensation complex. These 'evo-devo' relationships linking O-GlcNAc cycling to higher order chromatin structure provide insights into how nutrient availability may influence the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. O-GlcNAc cycling at promoters and PcG repression represent concrete mechanisms by which nutritional information may be transmitted across generations in the intra-uterine environment. Thus, the nutrient-sensing hexosamine signaling pathway may be a key contributor to the metabolic deregulation resulting from prenatal exposure to famine, or the 'vicious cycle' observed in children of mothers with type-2 diabetes and metabolic disease.

Regulation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1)/AKT kinase-mediated insulin signaling by O-Linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Increased O-linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is associated with insulin resistance in muscle and adipocytes. Upon insulin treatment of insulin-responsive adipocytes, O-GlcNAcylation of several proteins is increased. Key insulin signaling proteins, including IRS-1, IRS-2, and PDK1, are substrates for OGT, suggesting potential O-GlcNAc control points within the pathway. To elucidate the roles of O-GlcNAc in dampening insulin signaling (Vosseller, K., Wells, L., Lane, M. D., and Hart, G. W. (2002) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 99, 5313-5318), we focused on the pathway upstream of AKT. Increasing O-GlcNAc in 3T3-L1 adipocytes decreases phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) interactions with both IRS-1 and IRS-2. Elevated O-GlcNAc also reduces phosphorylation of the PI3K p85 binding motifs (YXXM) of IRS-1 and results in a concomitant reduction in tyrosine phosphorylation of Y(608)XXM in IRS-1, one of the two main PI3K p85 binding motifs. Additionally, insulin signaling stimulates the interaction of OGT with PDK1. We conclude that one of the steps at which O-GlcNAc contributes to insulin resistance is by inhibiting phosphorylation at the Y(608)XXM PI3K p85 binding motif in IRS-1 and possibly at PDK1 as well.

The role of protein O-linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine in mediating cardiac stress responses

The modification of serine and threonine residues of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins by O-linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) has emerged as a highly dynamic post-translational modification that plays a critical role in regulating numerous biological processes. Much of our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the role of O-GlcNAc on cellular function has been in the context of its adverse effects in mediating a range of chronic disease processes, including diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. However, at the cellular level it has been shown that O-GlcNAc levels are increased in response to stress; augmentation of this response improved cell survival while attenuation decreased cell viability. Thus, it has become apparent that strategies that augment O-GlcNAc levels are pro-survival, whereas those that reduce O-GlcNAc levels decrease cell survival. There is a long history demonstrating the effectiveness of acute glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) treatment and to a lesser extent glutamine in protecting against a range of stresses, including myocardial ischemia. A common feature of these approaches for metabolic cardioprotection is that they both have the potential to stimulate O-GlcNAc synthesis. Consequently, here we examine the links between metabolic cardioprotection with the ischemic cardioprotection associated with acute increases in O-GlcNAc levels. Some of the protective mechanisms associated with activation of O-GlcNAcylation appear to be transcriptionally mediated; however, there is also strong evidence to suggest that transcriptionally independent mechanisms also play a critical role. In this context we discuss the potential link between O-GlcNAcylation and cardiomyocyte calcium homeostasis including the role of non-voltage gated, capacitative calcium entry as a potential mechanism contributing to this protection.

The Glycosylation Pathway of Eimeria tenella Is Upregulated during Gametocyte Development and May Play a Role in Oocyst Wall Formation

Sexual-stage glycoproteins of Eimeria are important components of the oocyst wall, a structure that ensures the efficient transmission of these and related parasites. In this study, the primary enzyme in the glycosylation pathway of Eimeria tenella , glucosamine:fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase (EtGFAT), has been characterized as a macrogamete-specific protein. Although the transcription of Et GFAT was observed early in macrogamete development, protein expression was restricted to mature macrogametes, prior to their conversion into unsporulated oocysts. Genes coding for three other enzymes required for N -acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) synthesis were also transcribed during E. tenella macrogamete development. Gene transcription of the enzyme responsible for the O-linked transfer of GalNAc to proteins, EtGalNAc-T, was upregulated primarily in unsporulated oocyst stages, and accordingly, a significant increase in GalNAc levels was observed in E. tenella gametocytes and oocysts. Gam56 and Gam82, two well-characterized glycoproteins of Eimeria macrogametes and the oocyst wall, contain high levels of GalNAc and represent probable targets of GalNAc O linkage. It appears that the glycosylation pathway, specifically relating to the formation of GalNAc O links, is dramatically upregulated in E. tenella sexual stages and may play a role in directing a number of macrogamete proteins to the developing oocyst wall.

Screening-based discovery of drug-like O-GlcNAcase inhibitor scaffolds

O-GlcNAcylation is an essential posttranslational modification in metazoa. Modulation of O-GlcNAc levels with small molecule inhibitors of O-GlcNAc hydrolase (OGA) is a useful strategy to probe the role of this modification in a range of cellular processes. Here we report the discovery of novel, low molecular weight and drug-like O-GlcNAcase inhibitor scaffolds by high-throughput screening. Kinetic and X-ray crystallographic analyses of the binding modes with human/bacterial O-GlcNAcases identify some of these as competitive inhibitors. Comparative kinetic experiments with the mechanistically related human lysosomal hexosaminidases reveal that three of the inhibitor scaffolds show selectivity towards human OGA. These scaffolds provide attractive starting points for the development of non-carbohydrate, drug-like OGA inhibitors.

A Modified Coupled Enzyme Method for O-linked GlcNAc Transferase Activity Assay

In order to determine the activity of O-linked GlcNAc transferase (OGT), a modified coupled enzyme method was proposed. This method was based on the measurement of uridine 5'-(trihydrogen diphosphate) (UDP), a product generated in transglycosylation reaction. In the assay, UDP was coupled to the conversion of phosphoenolpyruvate to pyruvate using pyruvate kinase. Using a commercial pyruvate assay kit, the pyruvate was converted to a red terminal product, which could be photometrically measured at 570 nm or fluorometrically measured at 587 nm (E_m = 535 nm) on a microplate reader. Kinetic study of a truncated recombinant mOGT and quantitative analysis of OGT in two biological samples indicated that this method was practical and competitive for quantitative analysis of OGT.

O-GlcNAc protein modification in plants: Evolution and function

The role in plants of posttranslational modification of proteins with O-linked N-acetylglucosamine and the evolution and function of O-GlcNAc transferases responsible for this modification are reviewed. Phylogenetic analysis of eukaryotic O-GlcNAc transferases (OGTs) leads us to propose that plants have two distinct OGTs, SEC- and SPY-like, that originated in prokaryotes. Animals and some fungi have a SEC-like enzyme while plants have both. Green algae and some members of the Apicomplexa and amoebozoa have the SPY-like enzyme. Interestingly the progenitor of the Apicomplexa lineage likely had a photosynthetic plastid that persists in a degenerated form in some species, raising the possibility that plant SPY-like OGTs are derived from a photosynthetic endosymbiont. OGTs have multiple tetratricopeptide repeats (TPRs) that within the SEC- and SPY-like classes exhibit evidence of strong selective pressure on specific repeats, suggesting that the function of these repeats is conserved. SPY-like and SEC-like OGTs have both unique and overlapping roles in the plant. The phenotypes of sec and spy single and double mutants indicate that O-GlcNAc modification is essential and that it affects diverse plant processes including response to hormones and environmental signals, circadian rhythms, development, intercellular transport and virus infection. The mechanistic details of how O-GlcNAc modification affects these processes are largely unknown. A major impediment to understanding this is the lack of knowledge of the identities of the modified proteins.

Regulation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase IV by O-GlcNAc modification

Similar to phosphorylation, GlcNAcylation (the addition of O-GlcNAc to Ser(Thr) residues on polypeptides) is an abundant, dynamic, and inducible post-translational modification. GlcNAcylated proteins are crucial in regulating virtually all cellular processes, including signaling, cell cycle, and transcription. Here we show that calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase IV (CaMKIV) is highly GlcNAcylated in vivo. In addition, we show that upon activation of HEK293 cells, hemagglutinin-tagged CaMKIV GlcNAcylation rapidly decreases, in a manner directly opposing its phosphorylation at Thr-200. Correspondingly, there is an increase in CaMKIV interaction with O-GlcNAcase during CaMKIV activation. Furthermore, we identify at least five sites of GlcNAcylation on CaMKIV. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we determine that the GlcNAcylation sites located in the active site of CaMKIV can modulate its phosphorylation at Thr-200 and its activity toward cAMP-response element-binding transcription factor. Our results strongly indicate that the O-GlcNAc modification participates in the regulation of CaMKIV activation and function, possibly coordinating nutritional signals with the immune and nervous systems. This is the first example of an O-GlcNAc/phosphate cycle involving O-GlcNAc transferase/kinase cross-talk.

The hexosamine signaling pathway: O-GlcNAc cycling in feast or famine

The enzymes of O-GlcNAc cycling couple the nutrient-dependent synthesis of UDP-GlcNAc to O-GlcNAc modification of Ser/Thr residues of key nuclear and cytoplasmic targets. This series of reactions culminating in O-GlcNAcylation of targets has been termed the hexosamine signaling pathway (HSP). The evolutionarily ancient enzymes of O-GlcNAc cycling have co-evolved with other signaling effecter molecules; they are recruited to their targets by many of the same mechanisms used to organize canonic kinase-dependent signaling pathways. This co-recruitment of the enzymes of O-GlcNAc cycling drives a binary switch impacting pathways of anabolism and growth (nutrient uptake) and catabolic pathways (nutrient sparing and salvage). The hexosamine signaling pathway (HSP) has thus emerged as a versatile cellular regulator modulating numerous cellular signaling cascades influencing growth, metabolism, cellular stress, circadian rhythm, and host-pathogen interactions. In mammals, the nutrient-sensing HSP has been harnessed to regulate such cell-specific functions as neutrophil migration, and activation of B-cells and T-cells. This review summarizes the diverse approaches being used to examine O-GlcNAc cycling. It will emphasize the impact O-GlcNAcylation has upon signaling pathways that may be become deregulated in diseases of the immune system, diabetes mellitus, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Structural analyses of enzymes involved in the O-GlcNAc modification

In order to study the O-GlcNAc modification in vivo, it is evident that a range of specific small molecule inhibitors would be a valuable asset. One strategy for the design of such compounds would be to utilise 3-D structural information in tandem with knowledge of catalytic mechanism. The last few years has seen major breakthroughs in our understanding of the 3-D structure of the enzymes involved in the O-GlcNAc modification notably from the study of the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain of the human O-GlcNAc transferase, of the bacterial homologs of the O-GlcNAc hydrolase and more latterly bacterial homologs of the O-GlcNAc transferase itself. Of particular note are the bacterial O-GlcNAc hydrolase homologs that provide near identical active centres to the human enzyme. These have informed the design and/or subsequent analysis of inhibitors of this enzyme which have found great use in the chemical dissection of the O-GlcNAc in vivo, as described by Macauley and Vocadlo elsewhere in this issue.

Increased O-GlcNAc causes disrupted lens fiber cell differentiation and cataracts

Diminished proteolytic functionality in the lens may cause cataracts. We have reported that O-GlcNAc is an endogenous inhibitor of the proteasome. We hypothesize that in the lens there is a cause-and-effect relationship between proteasome inhibition by O-GlcNAc, and cataract formation. To demonstrate this, we established novel transgenic mouse models to over-express a dominant-negative form of O-GlcNAcase, GK-NCOAT, in the lens. Expression of GK-NCOAT suppresses removal of O-GlcNAc from proteins, resulting in increased levels of O-GlcNAc in the lenses of our transgenic mice, along with decreased proteasome function. We observed that transgenic mice developed markedly larger cataracts than controls and lens fiber cell denucleation was inhibited. Our study suggests that increased O-GlcNAc in the lens could lead to cataract formation and attenuation of lens fiber cell denucleation by inhibition of proteasome function. These findings may explain why cataract formation is a common complication of diabetes since O-GlcNAc is derived from glucose.

Hexosamine biosynthesis pathway flux contributes to insulin resistance via altering membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and cortical filamentous actin

We recently found that plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2))-regulated filamentous actin (F-actin) polymerization was diminished in hyperinsulinemic cell culture models of insulin resistance. Here we delineated whether increased glucose flux through the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) causes the PIP(2)/F-actin dysregulation and insulin resistance induced by hyperinsulinemia. Increased HBP activity was detected in 3T3-L1 adipocytes cultured under conditions closely resembling physiological hyperinsulinemia (5 nm insulin for 12 h) and in cells where HBP activity was amplified by 2 mm glucosamine (GlcN). Both the physiological hyperinsulinemia and experimental GlcN challenge induced comparable losses of PIP(2) and F-actin. In addition to protecting against the insulin-induced membrane/cytoskeletal abnormality and insulin-resistant state, exogenous PIP(2) corrected the GlcN-induced insult on these parameters. Moreover, in accordance with HBP flux directly weakening PIP(2)/F-actin structure, inhibition of the rate-limiting HBP enzyme (glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase) restored PIP(2)-regulated F-actin structure and insulin responsiveness. Conversely, overexpression of glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase was associated with a loss of detectable plasma membrane PIP(2) and insulin sensitivity. A slight decrease in intracellular ATP resulted from amplifying HBP by hyperinsulinemia and GlcN. However, experimental maintenance of the intracellular ATP pool under both conditions with inosine did not reverse the PIP(2)/F-actin-based insulin-resistant state. Furthermore, less invasive challenges with glucose, in the absence of insulin, also led to PIP(2)/F-actin dysregulation. Accordingly, we suggest that the functionality of cell systems dependent on PIP(2) and/or F-actin status, such as the glucose transport system, can be critically compromised by inappropriate HBP activity.

O-GlcNAc cycling: implications for neurodegenerative disorders

The dynamic post-translational modification of proteins by O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc), termed O-GlcNAcylation, is an important mechanism for modulating cellular signaling pathways. O-GlcNAcylation impacts transcription, translation, organelle trafficking, proteasomal degradation and apoptosis. O-GlcNAcylation has been implicated in the etiology of several human diseases including type-2 diabetes and neurodegeneration. This review describes the pair of enzymes responsible for the cycling of this post-translational modification: O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (OGA), with a focus on the function of their structural domains. We will also highlight the important processes and substrates regulated by these enzymes, with an emphasis on the role of O-GlcNAc as a nutrient sensor impacting insulin signaling and the cellular stress response. Finally, we will focus attention on the many ways by which O-GlcNAc cycling may affect the cellular machinery in the neuroendocrine and central nervous systems.

O-linked N-acetylglucosaminylation of Sp1 inhibits the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 promoter

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gene expression and replication are regulated by the promoter/enhancer located in the U3 region of the proviral 5' long terminal repeat (LTR). The binding of cellular transcription factors to specific regulatory sites in the 5' LTR is a key event in the replication cycle of HIV-1. Since transcriptional activity is regulated by the posttranslational modification of transcription factors with the monosaccharide O-linked N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (O-GlcNAc), we evaluated whether increased O-GlcNAcylation affects HIV-1 transcription. In the present study we demonstrate that treatment of HIV-1-infected lymphocytes with the O-GlcNAcylation-enhancing agent glucosamine (GlcN) repressed viral transcription in a dose-dependent manner. Overexpression of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), the sole known enzyme catalyzing the addition of O-GlcNAc to proteins, specifically inhibited the activity of the HIV-1 LTR promoter in different T-cell lines and in primary CD4(+) T lymphocytes. Inhibition of HIV-1 LTR activity in infected T cells was most efficient (>95%) when OGT was recombinantly overexpressed prior to infection. O-GlcNAcylation of the transcription factor Sp1 and the presence of Sp1-binding sites in the LTR were found to be crucial for this inhibitory effect. From this study, we conclude that O-GlcNAcylation of Sp1 inhibits the activity of the HIV-1 LTR promoter. Modulation of Sp1 O-GlcNAcylation may play a role in the regulation of HIV-1 latency and activation and links viral replication to the glucose metabolism of the host cell. Hence, the establishment of a metabolic treatment might supplement the repertoire of antiretroviral therapies against AIDS.

Functional analysis of HvSPY, a negative regulator of GA response, in barley aleurone cells and Arabidopsis

SPINDLY (SPY) is an important regulator of plant development, and consists of an N-half tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain containing 10 TPR motifs and a C-half catalytic domain, similar to O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) of animals. The best characterised role of SPY is a negative regulator of GA signalling, and all known spy alleles have been isolated based on increased GA response. Of the eight alleles that directly affect the TPR domain, all alter TPRs 6, 8 and/or 9. To test the hypothesis that a subset of TPRs, including 6, 8 and 9, are both essential and sufficient for the regulation of GA response, we overexpressed the full-length barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) SPY protein (HvSPY) and several deletion mutants in barley aleurone cells and in Arabidopsis wild type (WT) and spy-4 plants. Transient assays in barley aleurone cells, that also express endogenous HvSPY, demonstrated that introduced HvSPY and HvTPR inhibited GA(3)-induced alpha-amylase expression. With the exception of HvSPYDelta1-5, the other deletion proteins were partially active in the barley assay, including HvSPYDelta6-9 which lacks TPRs 6, 8 and 9. In Arabidopsis, analysis of seed germination under a range of conditions revealed that 35S:HvSPY increased seed dormancy. Hvspy-2, which lacks parts of the eighth and ninth TPRs, was able to partially complement all aspects of the spy-4 phenotype. In the presence of AtSPY, 35S:HvTPR caused some phenotypes consistent with a decrease in GA signalling, including increased seed sensitivity to paclobutrazol and delayed flowering. These plants also possessed distorted leaf morphology and altered epidermal cell shape. Thus, despite genetic analysis demonstrating that TPRs 6, 8 and 9 are required for regulation of GA signalling, our results suggest that these TPRs are neither absolutely essential nor sufficient for SPY activity.

Prevention of incipient diabetic cardiomyopathy by high-dose thiamine

Diabetic cardiomyopathy can progress toward overt heart failure with increased mortality. The hexosamine biosynthesis pathway has been implicated in signaling for fibrosis by the kidney. Thiamine (vitamin B(1)) is an indispensable coenzyme and required at intracellular glucose metabolism. In this study, we assessed if decrease of flux through the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway induced by high-dose thiamine therapy counteracts diabetes-induced cardiac fibrosis. The diabetes model used was the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. Normal control and diabetic rats were studied for 2 weeks with and without thiamine, and followings were analyzed; plasma biochemicals (total cholesterol and triglycerides), morphological changes, mRNA abundance relevant to cardiac failure (brain natriuretic peptide) and fibrosis (transforming growth factor-beta1, thrombospondine, fibronectin, plasminogen activator-I and connective tissue growth factor) as well as and matrix metalloproteinase activity were investigated. Thiamine repletion prevented diabetes-induced cardiac fibrosis without changes in plasma glucose concentration. This was achieved by prevention of thiamine depletion, increased pro-fibrotic mRNA abundance and decreased metalloproteinase activity in the heart of diabetic rats. O-glycosylated protein was significantly higher in the left ventricular of diabetic rats compared to control rats, which was decreased by thiamine administration. Thiamine repletion prevented diabetes-induced cardiac fibrosis in experimental diabetes, probably by suppression of hexosamine biosynthesis pathway.

Protein O-GlcNAcylation: a new signaling paradigm for the cardiovascular system

The posttranslational modification of serine and threonine residues of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins by the O-linked attachment of the monosaccharide beta-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is a highly dynamic and ubiquitous protein modification. Protein O-GlcNAcylation is rapidly emerging as a key regulator of critical biological processes including nuclear transport, translation and transcription, signal transduction, cytoskeletal reorganization, proteasomal degradation, and apoptosis. Increased levels of O-GlcNAc have been implicated as a pathogenic contributor to glucose toxicity and insulin resistance, which are both major hallmarks of diabetes mellitus and diabetes-related cardiovascular complications. Conversely, there is a growing body of data demonstrating that the acute activation of O-GlcNAc levels is an endogenous stress response designed to enhance cell survival. Reports on the effect of altered O-GlcNAc levels on the heart and cardiovascular system have been growing rapidly over the past few years and have implicated a role for O-GlcNAc in contributing to the adverse effects of diabetes on cardiovascular function as well as mediating the response to ischemic injury. Here, we summarize our present understanding of protein O-GlcNAcylation and its effect on the regulation of cardiovascular function. We examine the pathways regulating protein O-GlcNAcylation and discuss, in more detail, our understanding of the role of O-GlcNAc in both mediating the adverse effects of diabetes as well as its role in mediating cellular protective mechanisms in the cardiovascular system. In addition, we also explore the parallels between O-GlcNAc signaling and redox signaling, as an alternative paradigm for understanding the role of O-GlcNAcylation in regulating cell function.

SRFR1, a suppressor of effector-triggered immunity, encodes a conserved tetratricopeptide repeat protein with similarity to transcriptional repressors

Effector-triggered immunity provides plants with strong protection from pathogens. However, this response has the potential to be highly deleterious to the host and needs to be tightly controlled. The molecular mechanisms in the plant that regulate the balance between activation and suppression of resistance are not fully understood. Previously, we identified Arabidopsis suppressor of rps4-RLD 1 (srfr1) mutants with enhanced resistance to the bacterial effector AvrRps4. These mutants were recessive and retained full susceptibility to virulent bacteria, suggesting that SRFR1 functions as a negative regulator and that AvrRps4-triggered immunity was specifically enhanced in the mutants. Consistent with this, we show here that the response to flagellin, an elicitor of basal resistance, is unaltered in srfr1-1. In contrast, resistance to AvrRps4 in srfr1-1 requires EDS1, a central regulator of effector-triggered immunity via multiple resistance genes. SRFR1 is a single-copy gene encoding a pioneer tetratricopeptide repeat protein conserved between plants and animals. The SRFR1 tetratricopeptide repeat domain shows sequence similarity to those of transcriptional repressors in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Caenorhabditis elegans. Indeed, a sub-pool of SRFR1 transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaf cells localizes to the nucleus. Identification of SRFR1 may therefore provide insight into the regulation of the transcriptional reprogramming that is activated by effector-triggered immunity.

Up-regulation of O-GlcNAc transferase with glucose deprivation in HepG2 cells is mediated by decreased hexosamine pathway flux

O-Linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is a post-translational modification of proteins that functions as a nutrient sensing mechanism. We have previously shown a significant induction of O-GlcNAc modification under conditions of glucose deprivation. Increased O-GlcNAc modification was mediated by increased mRNA for nucleocytoplasmic O-linked N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (ncOGT). We have investigated the mechanism mediating ncOGT induction with glucose deprivation. The signal does not appear to be general energy depletion because no differences in AMP-dependent kinase protein levels or phosphorylation were observed between glucose-deprived and normal glucose-treated cells. However, treatment of glucose-deprived cells with a small dose (1 mm) of glucosamine blocked the induction of ncOGT mRNA and subsequent increase in O-GlcNAc protein modification, suggesting that decreased hexosamine flux is the signal for ncOGT up-regulation. Consistent with this, treatment of glucose-deprived cells with an inhibitor of O-GlcNAcase (O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranosylidene) amino N-phenyl carbamat) completely prevented the subsequent up-regulation of ncOGT. Glucosamine treatment also resulted in a 40% rescue of the down-regulation of glycogen synthase activity normally seen after glucose deprivation. We conclude that deglycosylation of proteins within the first few hours of glucose deprivation promotes ncOGT induction. These findings suggest a novel negative feedback regulatory loop for OGT and O-GlcNAc regulation.

Chemical dissection of the link between streptozotocin, O-GlcNAc, and pancreatic cell death

Streptozotocin is a natural product that selectively kills insulin-secreting β cells, and is widely used to generate mouse models of diabetes or treat pancreatic tumors. Several studies suggest that streptozotocin toxicity stems from its N-nitrosourea moiety releasing nitric oxide and possessing DNA alkylating activity. However, it has also been proposed that streptozotocin induces apoptosis by inhibiting O-GlcNAcase, an enzyme that, together with O-GlcNAc transferase, is important for dynamic intracellular protein O-glycosylation. We have used galacto-streptozotocin to chemically dissect the link between O-GlcNAcase inhibition and apoptosis. Using X-ray crystallography, enzymology, and cell biological studies on an insulinoma cell line, we show that, whereas streptozotocin competitively inhibits O-GlcNAcase and induces apoptosis, its galacto-configured derivative no longer inhibits O-GlcNAcase, yet still induces apoptosis. This supports a general chemical poison mode of action for streptozotocin, suggesting the need for using more specific inhibitors to study protein O-GlcNAcylation.