Control of Glycoprotein Synthesis

Roles of Glyco-redox in Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition and Mesenchymal Epithelial Transition, Cancer, and Various Diseases

SIGNIFICANCE

Reduction-oxidation (redox) regulation is an important biological phenomenon that provides a balance between antioxidants and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) under pathophysiological conditions. Structural and functional changes in glycans are also important as post-translational modifications of proteins. The integration of glycobiology and redox biology, called Glyco-redox has provided new insights into the mechanisms of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)/mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), cancer, and various diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), type 2 diabetes, interstitial pneumonitis, and ulcerative colitis (UC), .

RECENT ADVANCES

Glycans are biosynthesized by specific glycosyltransferases and each glycosyltransferase is either directly or indirectly regulated by oxidative stress and redox regulation. A typical example of Glyco-redox is the role of N-glycan referred to as core fucose in superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3). This glycan was found to be involved in the growth inhibition of cancer cell lines.

CRITICAL ISSUES

The significance of Glyco-redox in EMT/MET, cancer and various diseases was found in major N-glycan branching glycosyltransferases GnT-III, GnT-IV, GnT-V, VI, GnT-IX, Fut8, and ST6Gal1. Herein, we summarize previous reports on the target proteins and how this relates to oxidative stress. We also discuss the products of these processes and their significance to cancer and various diseases.

Impact of Protein Glycosylation on the Design of Viral Vaccines

Glycans play crucial roles in various biological processes such as cell proliferation, cell-cell interactions, and immune responses. Since viruses co-opt cellular biosynthetic pathways, viral glycosylation mainly depends on the host cell glycosylation machinery. Consequently, several viruses exploit the cellular glycosylation pathway to their advantage. It was shown that viral glycosylation is strongly dependent on the host system selected for virus propagation and/or protein expression. Therefore, the use of different expression systems results in various glycoforms of viral glycoproteins that may differ in functional properties. These differences clearly illustrate that the choice of the expression system can be important, as the resulting glycosylation may influence immunological properties. In this review, we will first detail protein N- and O-glycosylation pathways and the resulting glycosylation patterns; we will then discuss different aspects of viral glycosylation in pathogenesis and in vaccine development; and finally, we will elaborate on how to harness viral glycosylation in order to optimize the design of viral vaccines. To this end, we will highlight specific examples to demonstrate how glycoengineering approaches and exploitation of different expression systems could pave the way towards better self-adjuvanted glycan-based viral vaccines.

Differences in proteomic profile between two haemocyte types, granulocytes and hyalinocytes, of the flat oyster Ostrea edulis

Haemocytes play a dominant role in shellfish immunity, being considered the main defence effector cells in molluscs. These cells are known to be responsible for many functions, including chemotaxis, cellular recognition, attachment, aggregation, shell repair and nutrient transport and digestion. There are two basic cell types of bivalve haemocytes morphologically distinguishable, hyalinocytes and granulocytes; however, functional differences and specific abilities are poorly understood: granulocytes are believed to be more efficient in killing microorganisms, while hyalinocytes are thought to be more specialised in clotting and wound healing. A proteomic approach was implemented to find qualitative differences in the protein profile between granulocytes and hyalinocytes of the European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis, as a way to evaluate functional differences. Oyster haemolymph cells were differentially separated by Percoll® density gradient centrifugation. Granulocyte and hyalinocyte proteins were separated by 2D-PAGE and their protein profiles were analysed and compared with PD Quest software; the protein spots exclusive for each haemocyte type were excised from gels and analysed by MALDI-TOF/TOF with a combination of mass spectrometry (MS) and MS/MS for sequencing and protein identification. A total of 34 proteins were identified, 20 unique to granulocytes and 14 to hyalinocytes. The results suggested differences between the haemocyte types in signal transduction, apoptosis, oxidation reduction processes, cytoskeleton, phagocytosis and pathogen recognition. These results contribute to identify differential roles of each haemocyte type and to better understand the oyster immunity mechanisms, which should help to fight oyster diseases.

Topological N-glycosylation and site-specific N-glycan sulfation of influenza proteins in the highly expressed H1N1 candidate vaccines

The outbreak of a pandemic influenza H1N1 in 2009 required the rapid generation of high-yielding vaccines against the A/California/7/2009 virus, which were achieved by either addition or deletion of a glycosylation site in the influenza proteins hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. In this report, we have systematically evaluated the glycan composition, structural distribution and topology of glycosylation for two high-yield candidate reassortant vaccines (NIBRG-121xp and NYMC-X181A) by combining various enzymatic digestions with high performance liquid chromatography and multiple-stage mass spectrometry. Proteomic data analyses of the full-length protein sequences determined 9 N-glycosylation sites of hemagglutinin, and defined 6 N-glycosylation sites and the glycan structures of low abundance neuraminidase, which were occupied by high-mannose, hybrid and complex-type N-glycans. A total of ~300 glycopeptides were analyzed and manually validated by tandem mass spectrometry. The specific N-glycan structure and topological location of these N-glycans are highly correlated to the spatial protein structure and the residential ligand binding. Interestingly, sulfation, fucosylation and bisecting N-acetylglucosamine of N-glycans were also reliably identified at the specific glycosylation sites of the two influenza proteins that may serve a crucial role in regulating the protein structure and increasing the protein abundance of the influenza virus reassortants.

Mass spectrometry-based N-linked glycomic profiling as a means for tracking pancreatic cancer metastasis

The aberrant glycosylation profile on the surface of cancer cells has been recognized for its potential diagnostic value towards assessing tumor progression. In this study, we initially investigate N-glycan profiles on the surface of normal (HPDE) and cancerous (Capan-1, Panc-1, and MIA PaCa-2) pancreatic cell lines, which are from different sites of pancreatic tumor. The enzymatically deglycosylated total N-glycans are permethylated via a quantitative solid-phase method and then analyzed by using MALDI-TOF MS and MALDI-QIT-TOF MS. We demonstrate that the level of high-mannose type glycans is higher among Capan-1 cells-pancreatic cancer cells that have metastasized to the liver-than that observed among Panc-1 and MIA PaCa-2 cells-pancreatic cancer cells from the pancreas duct head and tail regions, respectively. Furthermore, the relative abundance of highly-branched sialyted N-glycans is significantly up-regulated on Panc-1 and MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells compared to that of normal HPDE pancreas cells. Taken together, these results indicate that specific N-glycosylation profile changes in pancreatic cancer cells can be used to not only distinguish between normal and cancerous cells but also provide more information on their location and metastatic potential.

Complex N-glycans: the story of the "yellow brick road"

The synthesis of complex asparagine-linked glycans (N-glycans) involves a multi-step process that starts with a five mannose N-glycan structure: [Manα1-6(Manα1-3)Manα1-6][Manα1-3]-R where R = Manβ1-4GlcNAcβ1-4GlcNAcβ1-Asn-protein. N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GlcNAc-TI) first catalyzes addition of GlcNAc in β1-2 linkage to the Manα1-3-R terminus of the five-mannose structure. Mannosidase II then removes two Man residues exposing the Manα1-6 terminus that serves as a substrate for GlcNAc-T II and addition of a second GlcNAcβ1-2 residue. The resulting structure is the complex N-glycan: GlcNAcβ1-2Manα1-6(GlcNAcβ1-2Manα1-3)-R. This structure is the precursor to a large assortment of branched complex N-glycans involving four more N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases. This short review describes the experiments (done in the early 1970s) that led to the discovery of GlcNAc-TI and II.

A method for determination of UDP-GlcNAc: GlcNAcβ1-6(GlcNAcβ1-2)Manα1-R [GlcNAc to Man] β1-4N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase VI activity

To characterize and purify glycosyltransferases, it is essential to establish a simple and sensitive assay method. Here, we describe a method for determination of the activity of GnT VI (UDP-GlcNAc: GlcNAcβ1-6(GlcNAcβ1-2)Manα1-R [GlcNAc to Man] β1-4N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase VI) using a fluorescently labeled oligosaccharide.

Does inbreeding affect N-glycosylation of human plasma proteins?

Inbreeding depression and heterosis are the two ends of phenotypic changes defined by the genome-wide homozygosity. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of genetic marker-based homozygosity estimates with 46 N-glycan features measured in human plasma. The study was based on a total of 2,341 subjects, originating from three isolated island communities in Croatia (Vis and Korcula islands) and Scotland (Orkney Islands). Inbreeding estimates were associated with an increase in tetrantennary and tetrasialylated glycans, and a decrease in digalactosylated glycans (P < 0.001). The strength of this association was proportional to the mean cohort-based inbreeding coefficient. Increase in tetraantennary glycans is known to be associated with various tumours and their association with inbreeding might be one of the mechanisms underlying the increased prevalence of tumours reported in some human isolated populations. Further studies are thus merited in order to confirm the association of inbreeding with changes in glycan profiles in other plant and animal populations, thus attempting to establish if glycosylation could indeed be involved in mediation of some phenotypic changes described in inbred and outbred organisms.

GlycoForm and Glycologue: two software applications for the rapid construction and display of N-glycans from mammalian sources

Background

The display of N-glycan carbohydrate structures is an essential part of glycoinformatics. Several tools exist for building such structures graphically, by selecting from a palette of symbols or sugar names, or else by specifying a structure in one of the chemical naming schemes currently available.

Findings

In the present work we present two tools for displaying N-glycans found in the mammalian CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) cell line, both of which take as input a 9-digit identifier that uniquely defines each structure. The first of these, GlycoForm, is designed to display a single structure automatically from an identifier entered by the user. The display is updated in real time, using symbols for the sugar residues, or in text-only form. Structures can be added to a library, which is recorded in a preference file and loaded automatically at start. Individual structures can be saved in a variety of bitmap image formats. The second program, Glycologue, reads a file containing columnar data of nine-digit codes, which can be displayed on-screen and printed at high resolution.

Conclusion

A key advantage of both programs is the speed and facility with which carbohydrate structures can be drawn. It is anticipated that these programs will be useful to glycobiologists, systems biologists and biotechnologists interested in N-glycosylation systems in mammalian cells.

GlycoViewer: a tool for visual summary and comparative analysis of the glycome

The GlycoViewer (http://www.systemsbiology.org.au/glycoviewer) is a web-based tool that can visualize, summarize and compare sets of glycan structures. Its input is a group of glycan structures; these can be entered as a list in IUPAC format or via a sugar structure builder. Its output is a detailed graphic, which summarizes all salient features of the glycans according to the shapes of the core structures, the nature and length of any chains, and the types of terminal epitopes. The tool can summarize up to hundreds of structures in a single figure. This allows unique, high-level views to be generated of glycans from one protein, from a cell, a tissue or a whole organism. Use of the tool is illustrated in the analysis of normal and disease-associated glycans from the human glycoproteome.

LC/MS analysis of complex multiglycosylated human alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein as a model for developing identification and quantitation methods for intact glycopeptide analysis

The site-specific characterization of the complex glycans in multiglycosylated proteins requires developing methods where the carbohydrates remain covalently bound to the protein. The complexity in the carbohydrate composition of alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (AAG) makes it an ideal model protein for such development. AAG has five N-asparaginyl-linked glycosylation sites, each varying in its bi-, tri-, and tetraantennary glycan content. We present an on-line liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method that uses high-low cone voltage switching for in-source fragmentation to determine the structures of the complex glycans present on each site for the two gene products of AAG. High cone voltage caused carbohydrate fragmentation, leading to the generation of signature carbohydrate ions that we used as markers to identify the glycopeptides. Low cone voltage produced minimal carbohydrate fragmentation and enabled the identification and quantification of the intact oligosaccharide structures on each glycopeptide based on its monoisotopic mass and intensity. Quantitation was accomplished by using the intensities of peaks from deconvoluted and deisotoped mass spectra or from the areas of the extracted ion chromatograms from the tryptic peptide maps. The combined results from the two methods can be used to better characterize and quantitate site heterogeneity in multiglycosylated proteins.

Regulation of glycan structures in animal tissues: transcript profiling of glycan-related genes

Glycan structures covalently attached to proteins and lipids play numerous roles in mammalian cells, including protein folding, targeting, recognition, and adhesion at the molecular or cellular level. Regulating the abundance of glycan structures on cellular glycoproteins and glycolipids is a complex process that depends on numerous factors. Most models for glycan regulation hypothesize that transcriptional control of the enzymes involved in glycan synthesis, modification, and catabolism determines glycan abundance and diversity. However, few broad-based studies have examined correlations between glycan structures and transcripts encoding the relevant biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes. Low transcript abundance for many glycan-related genes has hampered broad-based transcript profiling for comparison with glycan structural data. In an effort to facilitate comparison with glycan structural data and to identify the molecular basis of alterations in glycan structures, we have developed a medium-throughput quantitative real time reverse transcriptase-PCR platform for the analysis of transcripts encoding glycan-related enzymes and proteins in mouse tissues and cells. The method employs a comprehensive list of >700 genes, including enzymes involved in sugar-nucleotide biosynthesis, transporters, glycan extension, modification, recognition, catabolism, and numerous glycosylated core proteins. Comparison with parallel microarray analyses indicates a significantly greater sensitivity and dynamic range for our quantitative real time reverse transcriptase-PCR approach, particularly for the numerous low abundance glycan-related enzymes. Mapping of the genes and transcript levels to their respective biosynthetic pathway steps allowed a comparison with glycan structural data and provides support for a model where many, but not all, changes in glycan abundance result from alterations in transcript expression of corresponding biosynthetic enzymes.

A genetic approach to Mammalian glycan function

The four essential building blocks of cells are proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and glycans. Also referred to as carbohydrates, glycans are composed of saccharides that are typically linked to lipids and proteins in the secretory pathway. Glycans are highly abundant and diverse biopolymers, yet their functions have remained relatively obscure. This is changing with the advent of genetic reagents and techniques that in the past decade have uncovered many essential roles of specific glycan linkages in living organisms. Glycans appear to modulate biological processes in the development and function of multiple physiologic systems, in part by regulating protein-protein and cell-cell interactions. Moreover, dysregulation of glycan synthesis represents the etiology for a growing number of human genetic diseases. The study of glycans, known as glycobiology, has entered an era of renaissance that coincides with the acquisition of complete genome sequences for multiple organisms and an increased focus upon how posttranslational modifications to protein contribute to the complexity of events mediating normal and disease physiology. Glycan production and modification comprise an estimated 1% of genes in the mammalian genome. Many of these genes encode enzymes termed glycosyltransferases and glycosidases that reside in the Golgi apparatus where they play the major role in constructing the glycan repertoire that is found at the cell surface and among extracellular compartments. We present a review of the recently established functions of glycan structures in the context of mammalian genetic studies focused upon the mouse and human species. Nothing tends so much to the advancement of knowledge as the application of a new instrument. The native intellectual powers of men in different times are not so much the causes of the different success of their labours, as the peculiar nature of the means and artificial resources in their possession. T. Hager: Force of Nature (1)

Molecular cloning and expression of cDNA encoding chicken UDP-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc): GlcNAcbeta 1-6(GlcNAcbeta 1-2)- manalpha 1-R[GlcNAc to man]beta 1,4N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase VI

A cDNA that encodes UDP-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc):GlcNAcbeta1-6(GlcNAcbeta1-2)Manalpha1-R[GlcNA c to Man]beta1, 4N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase VI (GnT VI), which is responsible for the formation of pentaantennary asparagine-linked oligosaccharides (N-glycans), has been cloned from a hen oviduct cDNA library based on the partial amino acid sequences of the purified enzyme. The isolated cDNA clone contained an open reading frame encoding 464 amino acids, including all of the peptides that were sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence predicts a type II transmembrane topology and contains two potential N-glycosylation sites. The primary structure was found to be significantly similar to human GnT IV-homologue, the gene for which was cloned from the deleted region in pancreatic cancer, and to human and bovine GnT IVs. Chicken GnT VI-transfected COS-1 cells showed a high GnT VI activity (26.8 pmol/h/mg protein), whereas nontransfected, mock-transfected, or human GnT IV-homologue-transfected COS-1 cells had no activity. Northern blot analysis using poly(A)(+) RNA from hen oviduct indicated that the size of GnT VI mRNA is 2.1 kilobases. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that GnT VI mRNA was relatively highly expressed in oviduct, spleen, lung, and colon.

Purification and characterization of UDP-GlcNAc: GlcNAcbeta 1-6(GlcNAcbeta 1-2)Manalpha 1-R [GlcNAc to Man]-beta 1, 4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase VI from hen oviduct

A new beta1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (GnT) responsible for the formation of branched N-linked complex-type sugar chains has been purified 64,000-fold in 16% yield from a homogenate of hen oviduct by column chromatography procedures using Q-Sepharose FF, Ni(2+)-chelating Sepharose FF, and UDP-hexanolamine-agarose. This enzyme catalyzes the transfer of GlcNAc from UDP-GlcNAc to tetraantennary oligosaccharide and produces pentaantennary oligosaccharide with the beta1-4-linked GlcNAc residue on the Manalpha1-6 arm. It requires a divalent cation such as Mn(2+) and has an apparent molecular weight of 72,000 under nonreducing conditions. The enzyme does not act on biantennary oligosaccharide (GnT I and II product), and beta1,6-N-acetylglucosaminylation of the Manalpha1-6 arm (GnT V product) is essential for its activity. This clearly distinguishes it from GnT IV, which is known to generate a beta1-4-linked GlcNAc residue only on the Manalpha1-3 arm. Based on these findings, we conclude that this enzyme is UDP-GlcNAc:GlcNAcbeta1-6(GlcNAcbeta1-2)Manalpha1-R [GlcNAc to Man]-beta1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase VI. This is the only known enzyme that has not been previously purified among GnTs responsible for antenna formation on the cores of N-linked complex-type sugar chains.

Utilization of glycosyltransferases to change oligosaccharide structures

Carbohydrates on cell surfaces are important biomolecules in various biological recognition processes. Elucidation of the biological roles of complex oligosaccharides necessitates an efficient methodology to synthesize these compounds and their analogs. Enzymatic synthesis renders itself to be useful in the construction of an oligosaccharide structure owing to its mild reaction condition, high regio- and stereoselectivity. This review article focuses on the recent progress in oligosaccharide syntheses catalyzed by glycosyltransferases, namely sialyltransferase, galactosyltransferase, fucosyltransferase, and N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase. A survey of the latest patent and literature related to this field is also included.

Purification and characterization of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine: alpha1,3-D-mannoside beta1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-IV) from bovine small intestine

A new beta1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (GnT) which involves in branch formation of Asn-linked complex-type sugar chains has been purified 224,000-fold from bovine small intestine. This enzyme requires divalent cations, such as Mn2+, and catalyzes the transfer of GlcNAc from UDP-GlcNAc to biantennary oligosaccharide and produces triantennary oligosaccharide with the beta1-4-linked GlcNAc residue on the Manalpha1-3 arm. The purified enzyme shows a single band of Mr 58,000 and behaves as a monomer. The substrate specificity demonstrated that the beta1-2-linked GlcNAc residue on the Manalpha1-3 arm (GnT-I product) is essential for the enzyme activity. beta1-4-Galactosylaion to this essential beta1-2-linked GlcNAc residue or N-acetylglucosaminylation to the beta-linked Man residue (bisecting GlcNAc, GnT-III product) blocks the enzyme action, while beta1-6-N-acetylglucosaminylation to the Manalpha1-6 arm (GnT-V product) increases the transfer. Based on these findings, we conclude that the purified enzyme is UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:alpha-3-D-mannoside beta-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase IV (GnT-IV), that has been a missing link on biosynthesis of complex-type sugar chains.

Activity of UDP-GlcNAc:GlcNAc beta 1-->6(GlcNAc beta 1-->2) Man alpha 1-->R[GlcNAc to Man] beta 1-->4N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase VI (GnT VI) from the ovaries of Oryzias latipes (Medaka fish)

UDP-GlcNAc:GlcNAc beta 1-->(GlcNAc beta 1-->2)Man alpha 1-R[GlcNAc to Man] beta 1-->4N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase VI (GnT VI) activity was shown to be present in crude homogenates of Medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) ovaries using UDP-[14C]GlcNAc and synthetic GlcNAc beta 1-->6 (GlcNAc beta 1-->2)Man alpha 1-->6Glc beta 1-->octyl as substrates. Characterization of this activity showed a pH optimum at about pH 7.0 and an absolute requirement for divalent cations. The optimum concentration of Mn2+ was at about 25 mM. This finding is the first report on GnT VI activity in fish; the enzyme has previously been described only in avian tissues.

Substrate specificity and inhibition of UDP-GlcNAc:GlcNAc beta 1-2Man alpha 1-6R beta 1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V using synthetic substrate analogues

UDP-GlcNAc:GlcNAc beta 1-2Man alpha 1-6R (GlcNAc to Man) beta 1,6- N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GlcNAc-T V) adds a GlcNAc beta 1-6 branch to bi- and triantennary N-glycans. An increase in this activity has been associated with cellular transformation, metastasis and differentiation. We have used synthetic substrate analogues to study the substrate specificity and inhibition of the partially purified enzyme from hamster kidney and of extracts from hen oviduct membranes and acute myeloid leukaemia leukocytes. All compounds with the minimum structure GlcNAc beta 1-2Man alpha 1-6Glc/Man beta-R were good substrates for GlcNAc-T V. The presence of structural elements other than the minimum trisaccharide structure affected GlcNAc-T V activity without being an absolute requirement for activity. Substrates with a biantennary structure were preferred over linear fragments of biantennary structures. Kinetic analysis showed that the 3-hydroxyl of the Man alpha 1-3 residue and the 4-hydroxyl of the Man beta- residue of the Man alpha 1-6(Man alpha 1-3)Man beta-R N-glycan core are not essential for catalysis but influence substrate binding. GlcNAc beta 1-2(4,6-di-O-methyl-)Man alpha 1-6Glc beta-pnp was found to be an inhibitor of GlcNAc-T V from hamster kidney, hen oviduct microsomes and acute and chronic myeloid leukaemia leukocytes.

Proton NMR study of the trimannosyl unit in a pentaantennary N-linked decasaccharide structure. Complete assignment of the proton resonances and conformational characterization

The chemical shifts of all the ring protons of the three Man residues in a pentaantennary glycan chain have been unambiguously assigned by two-dimensional proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopic methods. The study, using chemical shift and J values on the conformation of the trimannosyl unit, revealed that the rotamer about the C5-C6 bond of the alpha 1-->6 linkage in the sequence of Man alpha 1-->6Man beta 1--> is predominantly confined to a gauche-gauche rotamer (omega = 180 degrees, omega = O6-C6-C5-H5) and not to a gauche-trans rotamer (omega = -60 degrees). We do not know of any previous demonstration that the dihedral angle omega (O6-C6-C5-H5) in Man alpha 1-->6Man beta 1--> is preferentially 180 degrees in complex-type N-linked glycans having no bisecting GlcNAc residue.

Synthesis of di- and tri-saccharides with intramolecular NH-glycosidic linkages: molecules with flexible and rigid glycosidic bonds for conformational studies

Attempted dephthalimidation of the trisaccharide 1-O-acetyl-3,4-di-O-benzyl- 2,6-di-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-beta-D-glucopyranosyl )-alpha-D-mannopyranose (1) and its derivatives 2 and 3, as well as the disaccharide 1-O-acetyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-2-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl- 2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-alpha-D-mannopyranose (13), with hydrazine hydrate in ethanol at 80 degrees C, produced the trisaccharide-6-O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-beta-D- glucopyranosyl)-3,4-di-O-benzyl-beta-D-mannopyranose-3',4',6'-tri-O-a cet yl- beta-D-glucopyranose 1,2'-N:1',2-O-dianhydride (4) and 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-mannopyranose 3',4',6'-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranose 1,2'-N:1',2-O-dianhydride (14), respectively, containing an intramolecular NH-glycosidic linkage. The conventional deblocking of compounds 4 and 14 gave the completely deblocked trisaccharide 6-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-mannopyranose beta-D-glucopyranose 1,2'-N:1',2-O-dianhydride (6) and the disaccharide beta-D-mannopyranose beta-D-glucopyranose 1,2'-N:1',2-O-dianhydride (16), respectively, containing an intact intramolecular NH-glycosidic bond. The unusual intra NH-glycosyl character makes the linkage rigid, and therefore these compounds should not only be useful for NMR studies but also as substrates or inhibitors of GlcNAc-transferases.

Biosynthesis of protein-linked oligosaccharides in trypanosomatid flagellates

In this article, Armando Parodi presents a summary of the knowledge of the structure and biosynthesis of mammalian Asn-linked (N-linked) oligosacchorides and compares this with what is known in trypanosomatids.

Clinical aspects of glycoprotein biosynthesis

Glycoproteins are widely distributed among species in soluble and membrane-bound forms, associated with many different functions. The heterogenous sugar moieties of glycoproteins are assembled in the endoplasmic reticulum and in the Golgi and are implicated in many roles that require further elucidation. Glycoprotein-bound oligosaccharides show significant changes in their structures and relative occurrences during growth, development, and differentiation. Diverse alterations of these carbohydrate chains occur in diseases such as cancer, metastasis, leukemia, inflammatory, and other diseases. Structural alterations may correlate with activities of glycosyltransferases that assemble glycans, but often the biochemical origin of these changes remains unclear. This suggests a multitude of biosynthetic control mechanisms that are functional in vivo but have not yet been unraveled by in vitro studies. The multitude of carbohydrate alterations observed in disease states may not be the primary cause but may reflect the growth and biochemical activity of the affected cell. However, knowledge of the control mechanisms in the biosynthesis of glycoprotein glycans may be helpful in understanding, diagnosing, and treating disease.

[Synthesis of modified oligosaccharides of the N-glycoprotein as substrate for N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I]

In the synthesis of modified derivatives of octyl O-(alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-O-[(alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1-->6)]- beta-D-mannopyranoside, 4.,5-epoxypentyl, a 4-diazirinopentyl, and a 5-(iodoacetamido)pentyl group were attached to the 3''-OH of the trisaccharide. The diazirino derivative may be especially suitable for photolabeling of the active site of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GlcNAcT-I). In addition, the 2'-OH group of the above-mentioned trisaccharide was reduced to a 2'-deoxy group and substituted 2'-O-methyl group.

Control of glycoprotein synthesis. Characterization of (1-->4)-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminyltransferases acting on the alpha-D-(1-->3)- and alpha-D-(1-->6)-linked arms of N-linked oligosaccharides

Hen oviduct membranes contain at least three N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminyltransferases (GlcNAc-T) that attach a beta GlcNAc residue in (1-4)-linkage to a D-Man p residue of the N-linked oligosaccharide core, i.e., (1-->4)-beta-D-GlcNAc-T III which adds a "bisecting" GlcNAc group to form the beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->4)-beta-D-Man p-(1-->4)-D-GlcNAc moiety; (1-->2)-beta-D-GlcNAc-T IV which adds a GlcNAc group to the (1-->3)-alpha-D-Man arm to form the beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->4)-[beta-D- GlcpNAc-(1-->2)]-alpha-D-Man p-(1-->3)-beta-D-Man p-(1-->4)-D-GlcpNAc component; and (1-->4)-beta-D-GlcNAc-T VI which adds a GlcNAc group to the alpha-D-Man p residue of beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->6)-[beta-D-GlcpNAc- (1-->2)]-alpha-D-Man p-R to form beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->6)-[beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->4)]-[beta-D-GlcpNAc- (1-->2)]-alpha-D-Man p-R. We now report a novel (1-->4)-beta-D-GlcNAc-T activity (GlcNAc-T VI') in hen oviduct membranes that transfers GlcNAc to beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Man p-(1-->6)-beta-D-Man p-R to form beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->4)-[beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->2)]-alpha-D-Man p-(1-->6)- beta-D-Man p-R. The structure of the enzyme product was confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopy, FAB-mass spectrometry and methylation analysis. Previous work with GlcNAc-T IV was carried out with biantennary substrates; we now show that hen oviduct membrane GlcNAc-T IV can also transfer GlcNAc to monoantennary beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Man p-R to form beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->4)-[beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->2)]-alpha-D-Man p- (1-->3)-beta-D-Man p-R. The findings that GlcNAc-T VI' and IV have similar kinetic characteristics and that hen oviduct membranes can convert methyl beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Man p to methyl beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->4)-[beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->2)]-alpha-D-Man p suggest that these two activities may be due to the same enzyme. The R-group of the beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Man p-(1-->6)-beta-D-Man p (or Glcp)-R substrate has an important influence on GlcNAc-T VI' enzyme activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Control of glycoprotein synthesis: substrate specificity of rat liver UDP-GlcNAc:Man alpha 3R beta 2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I using synthetic substrate analogues

UDP-GlcNAc: Man alpha 3R beta 2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GlcNAc-T I; EC 2.4.1.101) is the key enzyme in the synthesis of complex and hybrid N-glycans. Rat liver GlcNAc-T I has been purified more than 25,000-fold (M(r) 42,000). The Vmax for the pure enzyme with [Man alpha 6(Man alpha 3)Man alpha 6](Man alpha 3)Man beta 4GlcNAc beta 4GlcNAc beta-Asn as substrate was 4.6 mumol min-1 mg-1. Structural analysis of the enzyme product by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy proved that the enzyme adds an N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residue in beta 1-2 linkage to the Man alpha 3Man beta-terminus of the substrate. Several derivatives of Man alpha 6(Man alpha 3)Man beta-R, a substrate for the enzyme, were synthesized and tested as substrates and inhibitors. An unsubstituted equatorial 4-hydroxyl and an axial 2-hydroxyl on the beta-linked mannose of Man alpha 6(Man alpha 3)Man beta-R are essential for GlcNAc-T I activity. Elimination of the 4-hydroxyl of the alpha 3-linked mannose (Man) of the substrate increases the KM 20-fold. Modifications on the alpha 6-linked mannose or on the core structure affect mainly the KM and to a lesser degree the Vmax, e.g., substitutions of the Man alpha 6 residue at the 2-position by GlcNAc or at the 3- and 6-positions by mannose lower the KM, whereas various other substitutions at the 3-position increase the KM slightly. Man alpha 6(Man alpha 3)4-O-methyl-Man beta 4GlcNAc was found to be a weak inhibitor of GlcNAc-T I.

Combined chemical-enzymic synthesis of a dideoxypentasaccharide for use in a study of the specificity of N-acetyl-glucosaminyltransferase-III

The biantennary oligosaccharide glycoside beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----2)-alpha-D- Manp-(1----3)- [beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-beta-D-Manp- OR is a potential substrate for N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases (GlcNAcTs) III-V. The dideoxypentasaccharide glycoside beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----2)-4- deoxy-alpha-D-lyxo-Hexp-(1----3)- [beta-DGlcpNAc-(1----2)-6-deoxy-alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)] beta-D-Manp-O(CH2)7CH3 (5), where the hydroxyl groups that would be acted on by GlcNAcTs IV and V have been removed, was prepared as a possible specific acceptor for GlcNAcT-III. The strategy involved the chemical synthesis of beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----2)-4-deoxy-alpha-D-lyxo-Hexp-(1----3)-] 6- deoxy-alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-beta-D-Manp-O)CH2)7CH3 and then addition of the last GlcpNAc residue using partially purified GlcNAcT-II from rabbit liver. Preliminary results, using detergent extracts from rat kidney, indicate that 5 is an acceptor for a GlcNAcT whose identity remains to be established.

The fabrication and collagenous substructure of the eggshell membrane in the isthmus of the hen oviduct

The eggshell of the chicken consists of a bi-layered shell membrane overlaid with a thick, calcified shell matrix. The shell membranes and matrix are deposited onto the egg as it passes through the oviduct. To assess the temporal and spatial aspects of the fabrication of type X collagen within the eggshell extracellular matrix, the immunohistochemical localization of type X collagen was studied in three regions of the hen oviduct (magnum, isthmus and uterus), in the membranes of uncalcified eggshells obtained from the oviduct prior to mineral deposition and in eggshell membrane and calcified eggshell matrix. Additionally, immunohistochemical localization of type I and III collagens was done in order to determine possible co-localization of collagen types or to define tissue compartments. None of the collagen epitopes assayed was found in the shell matrix. Type X collagen epitope was immunohistochemically localized only to the epithelial cell layer lining the isthmus region of the oviduct and in the shell membranes of both uncalcified and calcified eggshells. Antitype III collagen monoclonal antibody delineated the inter-tubular gland connective tissue of the oviduct and was negative in the shell layers under conditions which gave strong connective tissue reactivity. Type I collagen epitope was exposed after pepsin treatment of the tissue and co-localizes with the distribution of type III collagen. Type I collagen co-localized with type X collagen in the shell membranes of uncalcified shells. The type I collagen epitope was reactive in the shell membrane of the uncalcified shells, but could only be detected in calcified shells following pepsin digestion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Synthesis of partial structure of complex types of N-glycoproteins]

Comparable syntheses of beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----2)-[beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----6)]-alpha-D-Manp-(1- ---6)-beta-D-ManpO(CH2)8CO2Me and beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-beta-D-ManpO(C H2)8CO2Me with the glycosyl halide and imidate methods were investigated. 3,4,6-Tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-(2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonylamino)-al pha-D-glucopyranosyl bromide or trichloroacetimidate are suitable glycosyl donors for beta-D-glycoside coupling with secondary hydroxyl groups.

Use of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases I and II in the preparative synthesis of oligosaccharides

8-Methoxycarbonyloctyl 3,5-di-O-(alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-beta-D-mannopyranoside (1) has been synthesised chemically. Compound 1 is a substrate for N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-I (GlcNAcT-I), which transfers a beta-D-GlcpNAc residue from UDP-GlcpNAc to position 2 of the alpha-Man-(1----3) unit to produce 2. In turn, the tetrasaccharide 2 is an acceptor for GlcNAcT-II which, in the presence of UDP-GlcpNAc, converts 2 into 8-methoxycarbonyloctyl 3,6-di-O-[2-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-alpha-D- mannopyranosyl]-beta-D-mannopyranoside (3). These conversions were carried out on a 50-100 mg scale using enzyme preparations obtained from rabbit liver in a single step by affinity chromatography.

Modulation of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III, IV and V activities and alteration of the surface oligosaccharide structure of a myeloma cell line by interleukin 6

The activity of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (GnT) III, IV and V on a myeloma cell line, OPM-1, was examined after incubation with interleukin 6 (IL-6). While augmenting cell proliferation, IL-6 resulted in a decrease of GnT III activity and an increase of GnT IV and V activities. Consistent with this, OPM-1 cultured with IL-6 showed an increased affinity to Datura stramonium lectin, which recognizes asialo-tri- and asialo-tetraantenary N-linked oligosaccharides. These results indicate that IL-6 modulates glycosyltransferase activity and the oligosaccharide structure of target cells.

Combined chemical-enzymic synthesis of deoxygenated oligosaccharide analogs: transfer of deoxygenated D-GlcpNAc residues from their UDP-GlcpNAc derivatives using N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I

The 3''-, 4''-, and 6''-deoxy analogs of UDP-GlcpNAc have been synthesized chemically and found to act as donor-substrates for N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-I (GnT-I) from human milk. Incubation of UDP-GlcpNAc and these deoxy analogs with GnT-I in the presence of alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-beta-D-Manp -O(CH2)8COOMe gave beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-[alpha-D-Manp- (1----6)]- beta-D-Manp-O(CH2)8COOMe (6), and the deoxy analogs 12-14 where HO-3, HO-4, and HO-6, respectively, of the beta-D-GlcNAc residue were replaced by hydrogen. The tetrasaccharide glycosides 6 and 12-14 were characterized by 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy and evaluated as acceptors for GnT-II, the next enzyme in the pathway of biosynthesis of Asn-linked oligosaccharides. Deoxygenation of the 3-position of the beta-D-GlcNAc residue of 6 completely abolished its acceptor activity, whereas removal of HO-4 or HO-6 caused only modest decreases in activity.