Structure of carbohydrate unit A or porcine thyroglobulin

Analysis of 2-aminopyridine labeled glycans by dual-mode online solid phase extraction for hydrophilic interaction and reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Quantitative analysis of glycans released from glycoproteins using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) requires fluorescent tag labeling to enhance sensitivity and selectivity. However, the methods required to remove large amounts of excess labeling reagents from the reaction mixture are time-consuming. Furthermore, these methods, including solvent extraction and solid phase extraction (SPE), often impair quantitative analysis. Here, we developed an online sample cleanup procedure for HPLC analysis of 2-aminopyridine (AP)-labeled glycans using a six-port/two-way valve and two small columns: one packed with a strong cation exchange resin (SCX) and the other comprising ODS silica gel. AP-labeled glycans delivered from an injection port were separated from excess AP by passing through an SCX column (4.6 mm i.d., 1 cm long) regulated to 40°C. The AP-labeled glycans were trapped on an ODS column (4.6 mm i.d., 1 cm long) to further separate them from inorganic contaminants. By changing the valve position after 2 min to connect the ODS column to an analysis column, AP-labeled glycans trapped in the ODS column were eluted with an acetonitrile-containing eluent followed by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) separation on an amide column or reversed-phase mode separation on a C30 column. This method was successfully used to analyze N-linked glycans released from several glycoprotein samples.

The role of thyroglobulin in thyroid hormonogenesis

In humans, the thyroid hormones T₃ and T₄ are synthesized in the thyroid gland in a process that crucially involves the iodoglycoprotein thyroglobulin. The overall structure of thyroglobulin is conserved in all vertebrates. Upon thyroglobulin delivery from thyrocytes to the follicular lumen of the thyroid gland via the secretory pathway, multiple tyrosine residues can become iodinated to form mono-iodotyrosine (MIT) and/or di-iodotyrosine (DIT); however, selective tyrosine residues lead to preferential formation of T₄ and T₃ at distinct sites. T₄ formation involves oxidative coupling between two DIT side chains, and de novo T₃ formation involves coupling between an MIT donor and a DIT acceptor. Thyroid hormone synthesis is stimulated by TSH activating its receptor (TSHR), which upregulates the activity of many thyroid gene products involved in hormonogenesis. Additionally, TSH regulates post-translational changes in thyroglobulin that selectively enhance its capacity for T₃ formation - this process is important in iodide deficiency and in Graves disease. 167 different mutations, many of which are newly discovered, are now known to exist in TG (encoding human thyroglobulin) that can lead to defective thyroid hormone synthesis, resulting in congenital hypothyroidism.

Large-scale quantitative isolation of pure protein N-linked glycans

Glycoproteins are biologically active proteins of which the attached glycans contribute to their biological functionality. Limited data is available on the functional properties of these N-glycans in isolation, without the protein core. Glycan release, typically performed with the PNGase F enzyme, is achieved on denatured proteins in the presence of detergents which are notoriously difficult to be completely removed. In this work we compared two methods aiming at recovering N-glycans in a high yield and at high purity from a PNGase F glycoprotein digest of bovine lactoferrin. Detergents were removed from the digest by two separate approaches. In the first approach, protein and glycans were precipitated with acetone and the detergent containing supernatant was discarded. In the second approach, detergent was removed by adsorption onto a polystyrene resin. Following detergent removal, the glycans were further purified by a sequence of solid phase extraction (SPE) steps. Both approaches for detergent removal yielded a final glycan purity above 85%. Recovery of the glycans from lactoferrin was, however, much lower when utilizing acetone precipitation versus the polystyrene resin; 52% versus 85% respectively. A more detailed analysis of the acetone precipitation step revealed a loss of shorter oligomannose structures specifically. A loss of glycans of lesser complexity (oligomannose and biantennary structures) was also observed for other glycoproteins (RNase B, porcine thyroglobulin, human lactoferrin). These results indicate that acetone precipitation, a commonly used step for small-scale glycan purification, is not suitable for all target glycoproteins. The polystyrene resin detergent removal step conserved the full N-glycan profile and could be applied to all mammalian glycoproteins tested. Using this optimized protocol, large-scale quantitative isolation of N-glycan structures was achieved with sufficient purity for functional studies.

Mosquito-larvicidal BinA toxin displays affinity for glycoconjugates: Proposal for BinA mediated cytotoxicity

Lysinibacillus sphaericus parasporal BinAB toxin displays mosquito larvicidal activity against Culex and Anopheles, but several Aedes species are refractory. Recently reported crystal structure of BinAB revealed the presence of N-terminal lectin-like domain in BinA. Hemagglutination and hemolytic activities were not observed for BinA in the present studies. We attempted to characterize carbohydrate specificity of BinA by high-throughput approaches using extrinsic fluorescence and thermofluor shift assay. A total of 34 saccharides (mono-, di- and polysaccharides, and glycoproteins) were used for initial high-throughput screening. The promising glycans were identified based on significant change in the fluorescence intensity. Surface plasmon resonance revealed differential binding of BinA with glycoproteins (fetuin, asialofetuin and thyroglobulin) and affinity for simple sugars, l-fucose and l-arabinose. In the limited carbohydrate competition assay, arabinose, fucose and fetuin inhibited BinA toxicity towards Culex larvae. This study for the first time provides direct evidence that BinA is competent to bind diverse and structurally different glycosylated proteins. This activity may be linked to its intracellular cytotoxicity, as protein N-glycosylation is thought to be critical for development and survival of insect larvae. The glycoproteins do not form stable complexes with BinA, however, as observed in the pull-down assay using affinity immobilized BinA and in native-PAGE analysis. As BinA displays only mild affinity with receptor polypeptide, we hypothesize that toxin-receptor specificity of BinA in Culex may be mediated by dual interaction of BinA with glycan core of GPI anchor and receptor polypeptide. The study shall be useful for refining strategies for improving larvicidal activity and for broadening target specificity of BinAB toxin.

Comparing MALDI-MS, RP-LC-MALDI-MS and RP-LC-ESI-MS glycomic profiles of permethylated N-glycans derived from model glycoproteins and human blood serum

The glycomic profiling of purified glycoproteins and biological specimen is routinely achieved through different analytical methods, but mainly through MS and LC-MS. The enhanced ionization efficiency and improved tandem MS interpretation of permethylated glycans have prompted the popularity of this approach. This study focuses on comparing the glycomic profiling of permethylated N-glycans derived from model glycoproteins and human blood serum using MALDI-MS as well as RP-LC-MALDI-MS and RP-LC-ESI-MS. In the case of model glycoproteins, the glycomic profiles acquired using the three methods were very comparable. However, this was not completely true in the case of glycans derived from blood serum. RP-LC-ESI-MS analysis of reduced and permethylated N-glycans derived from 250 nl of blood serum allowed the confident detection of 73 glycans (the structures of which were confirmed by mass accuracy and tandem MS), while 53 and 43 structures were identified in the case of RP-LC-MALDI-MS and MALDI-MS analyses of the same sample, respectively. RP-LC-ESI-MS analysis facilitates automated and sensitive tandem MS acquisitions. The glycan structures that were detected only in the RP-LC-ESI-MS analysis were glycans existing at low abundances. This is suggesting the higher detection sensitivity of RP-LC-ESI-MS analysis, originating from both reduced competitive ionization and saturation of detectors, facilitated by the chromatographic separation. The latter also permitted the separation of several structural isomers; however, isomeric separations pertaining to linkages were not detected.

Surface plasmon resonance for real-time study of lectin-carbohydrate interactions for the differentiation and identification of glycoproteins

A study of specific interactions between lectins and glycoproteins has been carried out using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in a flow-injection mode. Lectins were covalently immobilised on the surfaces of the microfluidic sensor chip via amine coupling and serum glycoproteins were injected into the flow channels. Specific lectin-glycoprotein interactions caused the shift of refractive index proportional to the mass concentration accumulated on the channel surface. Lectins showed different affinity to the tested glycoproteins and each glycoprotein displayed its own lectin-binding pattern. It is possible to distinguish and identify even glycoproteins with similar sugar structures by simple and quick screening. The working conditions of the assay were optimised. The lectin-based SPR made it possible to carry out the label-free detection of glycoproteins within a broad concentration range with a good linearity. Regeneration conditions for the surface of the sensor chip were found and optimised. Combination of 10mM HCl and 10mM glycine-HCl (pH 2.5) removes the bound glycoproteins from the lectin surface without damaging it. The kinetic and affinity parameters of lectin-glycoprotein binding were evaluated. The proposed method was tested on human glycosylated serum. Combination of the lectin panel with SPR is suitable both for specific screening and for sensitive assay of serum glycoproteins.

Design, expression, and characterization of a multivalent, combination HIV microbicide

Many promising microbicide candidates are proteins or peptides, including neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Here, the expression of the HIV-neutralizing mAb b12 in transgenic plants is described. The plant-derived mAb b12 was shown to have gp120 binding activity and HIV-neutralizing activity in vitro. However, it is likely that a protein-based microbicide will need to comprise a combination of two or more products, in order to provide long-lasting and cross-clade protection. Building on the expression of mAb b12 and to address the need for a combinational agent, the expression of a fusion protein of mAb b12 with cyanovirin-N, another protein microbicide, has been explored. This fusion protein molecule is predicted to have four binding sites for HIV gp120 with two different specificities. The fusion protein was assembled and expressed in planta, and functionality was confirmed by gp120 binding and HIV neutralization in vitro. Each moiety of the fusion protein retained its binding ability to gp120. In addition, this fusion protein demonstrated increased anti-HIV potency compared to b12 or CV-N alone. This fusion protein addresses the requirement to combine microbicide products, and the production in plants is a step toward resolving the issues of manufacturing scalability and cost for developing countries.

VIPL has sugar-binding activity specific for high-mannose-type N-glycans, and glucosylation of the α1,2 mannotriosyl branch blocks its binding

VIP36-like protein (VIPL) was identified as an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident protein with homology to VIP36, a cargo receptor involved in the transport of glycoproteins within cells. Although VIPL is structurally similar to VIP36, VIPL is thought not to be a lectin, because its sugar-binding activity has not been detected in several experiments. Here, recombinant soluble VIPL proteins (sVIPL) were expressed in Escherichia coli, biotinylated with biotin ligase and oligomerized with R-phycoerythrin (PE)-labeled streptavidin (SA). As measured with flow cytometry, PE-labeled sVIPL-SA bound to deoxymannojirimycin (DMJ)- or kifunensine (KIF)- but not to swainsonine (SW)-treated HeLaS3 cells in the presence of calcium. A surface plasmon resonance analysis showed that the avidity of sVIPL was enhanced after it formed a complex with SA. The binding of PE-labeled sVIPL-SA was abrogated by endo beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H treatment of the DMJ- or KIF-treated cells. Competition with several high-mannose-type N-glycans inhibited VIPL binding, and indicated that VIPL recognizes the Manalpha1-2Manalpha1-2Man sequence. Glucosylation of the outer mannose residue of this portion decreased the binding. Although the biochemical characteristics of VIPL are similar to those of VIP36, the sugar-binding activity of VIPL was stronger at neutral pH, corresponding to the pH in the lumen of the ER, than under acidic conditions.

Novel Carbohydrate-binding Activity of Pancreatic Trypsins to N-Linked Glycans of Glycoproteins

How glycosylation affects the reactivity of proteins to trypsin is not well understood. Bovine and porcine pancreatic trypsins were discovered to bind to alpha-Man, Neu5Acalpha2,6Galbeta1,4Glc, and alpha-galactose sequences by binding studies with biotinylated sugar-polymers. Quantitative kinetic studies supported that phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF)-treated trypsin binds to glycolipid analogues possessing alpha-Man or alpha-NeuAc but not to those possessing beta-galactose or beta-GlcNAc residue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that trypsin binds to six kinds of biotinylated glycoproteins possessing high mannose-type and complex-type N-glycans but not to bovine submaxillary mucin, which possesses only O-glycans. Further, the binding of trypsin to glycoproteins was differentially changed by treatments with sequential exoglycosidases, endoglycosidase H, or N-glycosidase F. Quantitative kinetic studies indicated that PMSF-treated trypsin binds with bovine thyroglobulin with the affinity constant of 10(10) m(-1), which was the highest among the glycoproteins examined, and that alpha-galactosidase treatment decreased it to 10(5) m(-1). PMSF-treated trypsin bound to other glycoproteins, including ovomucoid, a trypsin inhibitor, with the affinity constants of 10(8)-10(5) mol(-1) and were markedly changed by glycosidase treatments in manners consistent with the sugar-binding specificities suggested by ELISA. Thus, the binding site for glycans was shown to be distinct from the catalytic site, allowing trypsin to function as an uncompetitive activator in the hydrolysis of a synthetic peptide substrate. Correspondingly the carbohydrate-binding activities of trypsin were unaffected by treatment with PMSF or soybean trypsin inhibitor. The results indicate the presence of an allosteric regulatory site on trypsin that sugar-specifically interacts with glycoproteins in addition to the proteolytic catalytic site.

Rapid and sensitive screening of N-glycans as 9-fluorenylmethyl derivatives by high-performance liquid chromatography: a method which can recover free oligosaccharides after analysis

There are a large number of labeling methods for asparagine-type oligosaccharides with fluorogenic and chromophoric reagents. We have to choose the most appropriate labeling method based on the purposes such as mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis. Asparagine-type glycans are released from core proteins as N-glycosylamine at the initial step of the releasing reaction when glycoamidase F is employed as the enzyme. The N-glycosylamine-type oligosaccharides thus released by the enzyme are subjected to hydrolysis or mutarotation to form free-form oligosaccharides. In the detailed studies on the enzyme reaction, we found a condition in which the released N-glycosylamine-type oligosaccharides were exclusively present at least during the course of enzyme reaction, and developed a method for in situ derivatization of the glycosylamine-type oligosaccharides with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (Fmoc-Cl). The Fmoc labeled sialo- and asialo- (or high-mannose and hybrid) oligosaccharides were successfully analyzed on an amine-bonded polymer column and amide-silica column, respectively. The present method showed approximately 5 times higher sensitivities than that using 2-aminobenzoic acid (2-AA). The separation profile was similar to that observed using 2-AA method as examined by the analyses of carbohydrate chains derived from several glycoproteins including complex-type, high-mannose type and hybrid type of N-linked oligosaccharides. The labeled oligosaccharides were stable at least for several months when stored at -20 degrees C. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the Fmoc-derivatized oligosaccharides could be easily recovered as free reducing oligosaccharides simply by incubation with morpholine in dimethylformamide solution. We obtained a pure triantennary oligosaccharide with 3 sialic acid residues as a free reducing form from fetuin in good yield after isolation of the corresponding Fmoc oligosaccharide followed by removing reaction of the Fmoc group. The proposed method will be useful for preparation of free oligosaccharides as standard samples at pmol-nmol scale from commercially available glycoproteins.

Measurement of the carbohydrate-binding specificity of lectins by a multiplexed bead-based flow cytometric assay

Carbohydrate binding underlies many cell recognition events. Here, we describe a multiplexed glyco-bead array method for determining the carbohydrate-binding specificities of plant lectins using a bead-based flow cytometric analysis. N-glycans including high mannose, hybrid, and complex types and O-glycans from glycoproteins were immobilized on multiplexed beads, and the specificities of 13 kinds of sugar chains were monitored within 2 h in a single reaction. This strategy is easy, rapid, reproducible, and suitable for small samples and allows the reliable and simultaneous elucidation of sugar-binding properties under identical conditions.

3-Aminobenzamide and 3-aminobenzoic acid, tags for capillary electrophoresis of complex carbohydrates with laser-induced fluorescent detection

The efficiencies in derivatization of reducing carbohydrates were compared by capillary electrophoresis using maltose as a model with nine monoaminobenzene derivatives by reductive amination in the presence of sodium cyanoborohydride. We found that aminobenzene derivatives substituted at the 3-position showed good reactivity with reducing carbohydrates as expected from the reaction mechanism, although the fluorescence intensities and molar absorptivities of these derivatives were not as high as those of 2- and 4-aminobenzene derivatives. The reagents, 3-aminobenzamide and 3-aminobenzoic acid, which showed the highest reactivity, were applied to the labeling of carbohydrate chains obtained from some sialic acid-containing glycoprotein samples, and also high-mannose and hybrid-type oligosaccharides. Capillary electrophoresis of these labeled carbohydrate chains in an inner surface-modified capillary with (50% phenyl)methylpolysiloxane allowed excellent separation of sialic acid-containing carbohydrate chains derived from fetuin and thyroglobulin as well as high mannose-type and hybrid-type carbohydrates derived from bovine pancreas ribonuclease B, soybean agglutinin and hen ovalbumin. The lower limit of calibration was as low as the 10(-16) mol (injected amount) with helium-cadmium laser induced detection.

Structural characterization of chemically derivatized oligosaccharides by nanoflow electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Oligosaccharides released from several glycoproteins were derivatized with either 4-aminobenzoic acid 2-(diethylamino)ethyl ester (ABDEAE) (Yoshino, K.; et al. Anal. Chem. 1995, 67, 4028-4031) or 2-aminopyridine. The resulting derivatives were analyzed on a nanoflow electrospray ionization (ESI) quadrupole-inlet time-of-flight mass spectrometer using the low-energy collision-induced dissociation technique. In the MS/MS spectra, the oxonium (b or internal series) and y series ions, which are derived from the multiply charged precursor ions, were predominant and were used for the structural readout. Some oxonium ions that were observed in the low-mass region, but that were not found in the PSD analyses (Mo, W.; et al. Anal. Chem. 1998, 70, 4520-4526), rendered a more detailed structural insight. The oxonium ions at m/z 512.2, which are derived from the fucosylated oligosaccharides of immunoglobulin Y and thyroglobulin, were observed, suggesting that fucosylation had occurred proximal to the outer nonreducing terminus. In addition, the data herein show that structural elucidation can be routinely achieved at a low sample concentration. For the case of ABDEAE derivatives, this can be achieved at the 50 fmol/microL level and with the actual sample consumption at the attomole level using nanoflow ESI MS/MS.

A comparative review of the structure and biosynthesis of thyroglobulin

Thyroglobulin, the major iodoglycoprotein of the thyroid (Mr 669 kDa) has a sedimentation coefficient of 19 S and an isoelectric point (pI) of 4.4-4.7. The protein has been isolated and purified from saline extracts of the gland of several animal species, by methods such as ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-cellulose chromatography and Sepharose 4B/6B gel-filtration. DEAE-cellulose chromatography of thyroglobulin from many species, by linear gradient, yielded a complex elution pattern, while camel thyroglobulin showed only a major and minor peak. As an iodoprotein, the protein has 0.1-2.0% iodine. The amino acid and iodoamino acid composition of thyroglobulins, in general, is similar. However, a high thyroxine content (15 mol/mol protein) has been noted for buffalo species. Asparagine or aspartic acid has been reported as the major N-terminal amino acid for thyroglobulins of several animal species whereas glutamic acid is the sole N-terminal amino acid for buffalo thyroglobulin. As a glycoprotein, thyroglobulin contains 8-10% total carbohydrate with galactose, mannose, fucose, N-acetyl glucosamine and sialic acid residues. The carbohydrate in the protein is distributed as two distinct units, A and B. In addition, human thyroglobulin has carbohydrate unit C. The occurrence of sulfate and phosphate as Gal-3-SO4 and Man-6-PO4, respectively, has been reported in few species. The quaternary structure of native thyroglobulin is comprised of two equal sized subunits of 330 kDa. However, the protein appears to contain 4-8 non-identical units in few species. The synthesis of thyroid hormones occurs in the matrix of the protein and is regulated by pituitary thyrotropin. The role of tyrosine residues 5 and 130 in thyroxine synthesis has been well documented.

A chromatographic and mass spectrometric strategy for the analysis of oligosaccharides: determination of the glycan structures in porcine thyroglobulin

Oligosaccharides released from porcine thyroglobulin were first derivatised with 2-aminoacridone (2-AMAC) and analysed by capillary electrophoresis to determine the complexity of this glycan pool. The same glycan mixture was then subjected to either a sialidase digest or a sialidase and fucosidase digest prior to derivatisation with 2-AMAC and analysis by normal phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Comparison of the three chromatographic profiles with known standards allowed an initial identification of the glycan structures. The 2-AMAC derivatised glycans were then collected from HPLC for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis and the molecular weights of predicted structures were confirmed. This study demonstrates that a two enzyme array and subsequent MALDI-TOF analysis can be used successfully to assign the major glycans present in a complex mixture.

High resolution and high sensitivity methods for oligosaccharide mapping and characterization by normal phase high performance liquid chromatography following derivatization with highly fluorescent anthranilic acid

Facile labeling of oligosaccharides (acidic and neutral) in a nonselective manner was achieved with highly fluorescent anthranilic acid (AA, 2-aminobenzoic acid) (more than twice the intensity of 2-aminobenzamide, AB) for specific detection at very high sensitivity. Quantitative labeling in acetate-borate buffered methanol (approximately pH 5.0) at 80 degreesC for 60 min resulted in negligible or no desialylation of the oligosaccharides. A high resolution high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for quantitative oligosaccharide mapping on a polymeric-NH2bonded (Astec) column operating under normal phase and anion exchange (NP-HPAEC) conditions. For isolation of oligosaccharides from the map by simple evaporation, the chromatographic conditions developed use volatile acetic acid-triethylamine buffer (approximately pH 4.0) systems. The mapping and characterization technology was developed using well characterized standard glycoproteins. The fluorescent oligosaccharide maps were similar to the maps obtained by the high pH anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD), except that the fluorescent maps contained more defined peaks. In the map, the oligosaccharides separated into groups based on charge, size, linkage, and overall structure in a manner similar to HPAEC-PAD with contribution of -COOH function from the label, anthranilic acid. However, selectivity of the column for sialic acid linkages was different. A second dimension normal phase HPLC (NP-HPLC) method was developed on an amide column (TSK Gel amide-80) for separation of the AA labeled neutral complex type and isomeric structures of high mannose type oligosaccharides. The oligosaccharides labeled with AA are compatible with biochemical and biophysical techniques, and use of matrix assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry for rapid determination of oligosaccharide mass map of glycoproteins is demonstrated. High resolution of NP-HPAEC and NP-HPLC methods combined with mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) can provide an effective technology for analyzing a wide repertoire of oligosaccharide structures and for determining the action of both transferases and glycosidases.

Isolation of a mannose-binding and IgE- and IgM-reactive lectin from the seeds of Artocarpus integer

A mannose-binding lectin, termed champedak lectin-M, was isolated from an extract of the crude seeds of champedak (Artocarpus integer). On gel filtration chromatography, the lectin eluted in a single peak at elution volumes corresponding to 64 kDa. SDS-PAGE showed the mannose-binding lectin to be composed of 16.8 kDa polypeptides with some of the polypeptides being disulphide-linked to give dimers. When tested with all isotypes of immunoglobulins, champedak lectin-M demonstrated a selective strong interaction with human IgE and IgM, and a weak interaction with IgA2. The binding interactions of lectin-M were metal ion independent. The lectin was also shown to interact with horseradish peroxidase, ovalbumin, porcine thyroglobulin, human alpha1-acid glycoprotein, transferrin and alpha1-antitrypsin. It demonstrated a binding preference to Man alpha 1-3Man ligands in comparison to Man alpha 1-6Man or Man alpha 1-2Man.

Carbohydrate analysis of porcine thyroglobulin isoforms with different iodine contents

To further validate the relationship between thyroid hormone formation and the carbohydrate structure of thyroglobulin (Tg), we reinvestigated the relationship between the iodine content and the asparagine-linked oligosaccharide structures of porcine Tg. Purified porcine Tg was further separated into isoforms (Tg-F1, -F2 and -F3) with a DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography column. The iodine residues, neutral sugar and sialic acid were analyzed for the separated Tg isoforms and their asparagine-linked oligosaccharide structures were analyzed. The asparagine-linked oligosaccharides were released from Tg-F1, -F2 and -F3 by hydrazinolysis and each oligosaccharide was labeled with p-aminobenzoic acid octyl ester (ABOE). The ABOE-labeled oligosaccharides from Tg-F1, -F2 and -F3 were analyzed for their relative content in oligosaccharides of each structure type by chemical methods and DEAE- and ConA high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns. As a result, it was revealed that the Tg fraction eluted at higher ionic strength from a DEAE-cellulose column is apt to contain more of each iodoamino acid, as well as total content of iodine, larger negative zeta-potential, conforming to sialic acid content in the Tg molecule and to a higher content of di-sialo-bi-antennary complex and to high mannose type oligosaccharides. These results support the conclusion that iodine organification of the Tg molecule is correlated with asparagine-linked oligosaccharide completion.

Synthesis of neoglycopeptides and analyses of their biodistribution in vivo to identify tissue specific uptake and novel putative membrane lectins

Complex type N-linked oligosaccharides derived from fetuin, fibrinogen and thyroglobulin were coupled to acetyltyrosine affording a series of neoglycopeptides with retention of terminal structures and the beta-anomeric configuration of their reducing end N-acetylglycosamine residue. The neoglycopeptides thus synthesized could be labelled to high specific activities with 125I in the aromatic side chain of tyrosine. Analysis of the fate of these neoglycopeptides in conjunction with inhibition with asialofetuin and oligosaccharides of defined structure in mice in vivo revealed the uptake of galactosylated biantennary compound by kidneys, in addition to the known itinerary of triantennary galactosylated complex oligosaccharide from fetuin to liver and the galactosylated biantennary chain with fucosylation in the core to bone marrows. On the other hand, the agalacto, aglucosamino biantennary chains with and without fucosylation in the core region are taken up by submaxillary glands while the conserved trimannosyl core with fucose is primarily concentrated in stomach tissue. These studies thus define new routes for the uptake of complex N-linked glycans and also subserve to identify lectins presumably involved in their recognition.

Fast purification of Phaseolus vulgaris isolectins

Phytohemagglutinin from red kidney bean has been purified by affinity chromatography on a human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein Sepharose 4B column. Further purification of the hemagglutinin's five isolectins was achieved on a Mono S column with an 86% protein recovery. Each sequentially eluted isolectin from the ion exchange column displayed either hemagglutinating or mitogenic activity. The main activity of each fraction was the result of the combination of varying proportions of the L and E subunits.

Interaction of immobilized recombinant mouse C-type macrophage lectin with glycopeptides and oligosaccharides

Inflammatory and tumoricidal macrophages express galactose- and N-acetylgalactosamine-specific Ca(2+)-dependent lectins on their surfaces. This lectin is a family member of membrane-bound C-type animal lectins and consists of 304 amino acid residues (molecular weight 34,595). In the present study, expression vectors containing a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the carbohydrate-binding domain of mouse macrophage lectin cDNA have been prepared. The carbohydrate-binding specificity of the recombinant macrophage lectin expressed in Escherichia coli was investigated by comparing elution profiles of various glycopeptides having defined carbohydrate structures on immobilized lectins. When elution profiles of high mannose-type and complex-type Asn-linked carbohydrate chains were compared, the degree of retardation from immobilized macrophage lectin column was in the order tetraantennary complex-type with terminal galactosyl residues > triantennary complex-type with terminal galactosyl residues > biantennary complex-type with terminal galactosyl residues > high mannose-type glycopeptides. N-Terminal octapeptides from human glycophorin A that bore three NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-3(NeuAc alpha 2-6)GalNAc serine/threonine-linked tetrasaccharide chains and their sequentially deglycosylated derivatives were also applied to this column. Glycopeptides carrying three constitutive GalNAc-Ser/Thr(Tn-antigen) had the strongest affinity, whereas those with fully sialylated carbohydrate tetrasaccharide chains showed weak interaction. The association kinetics of Asn-linked glycopeptides from bovine asialofetuin to recombinant macrophage lectin was determined by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. The results indicate k(assoc) value of 1.63 x 10(4) M-1 s-1. The calculated value for Ka was 6.20 x 10(7) M.

Endo beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase F cleavage specificity with peptide free oligosaccharides

Endo beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activities were determined based on conversion of oligosaccharides containing two N-acetylglucosamines to the oligosaccharides with a single N-acetylglucosamine at the reducing terminal and following their separation on a carbohydrate analyzer. The oligosaccharides eluted from the high performance anion exchange column in the order of fucosyl-N,N'-diacetylchitobiose, N,N'-diacetylchitobiose and N-acetylglucosamine containing reducing terminals. Using this assay, differences in cleavage specificity of the endo beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase F (Endo F) activity on various free oligosaccharides obtained from the standard glycoproteins was determined. The commercial Endo F-peptide N-glycosidase/glycanyl amidase (PNGase) mixture readily cleaved high mannose and complex oligosaccharides (neutral and sialyated) with common core alpha 1-6 linked fucose found in porcine thyroglobulin including the trimannosyl-chitobiose core structure. However, the same Endo F mixture did not cleave the non-fucosylated complex oligosaccharides found in human transferrin and also the common core structure. Glycopeptide counterparts with and without fucose were good substrates for the endoglycosidases. These results show that the specificity of these enzymes is such that they can recognize the conformational differences between free oligosaccharides and glycopeptides with and without the common core alpha 1-6 linked fucose. In contrast, highly purified Endo F cleaved only the high mannose type oligosaccharides and was unable to cleave ovalbumin hybrid type oligosaccharides.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Two-dimensional mapping of N-glycosidically linked asialo-oligosaccharides from glycoproteins as reductively pyridylaminated derivatives using dual separation modes of high-performance capillary electrophoresis

N-Glycosidically linked oligosaccharides were released from glycoproteins by digestion with trypsin followed by hydrazinolysis and subsequently re-N-acetylated and reductively pyridylaminated. Derivatives of sialic acid-containing oligosaccharides were further desialylated with neuraminidase. The final derivatives of asialo-oligosaccharides were analyzed by capillary zone electrophoresis in two carriers, an acidic phosphate buffer and an alkaline borate buffer. The former carrier allowed direct zone electrophoresis as cationic immonium ions, accordingly size-dependent separation, whereas the latter realized indirect electrophoresis as anionic borate complexes, i.e., separation based on the structural variation in outermost monosaccharide residues. Two-dimensional plots of relative mobilities of the derivatives in these dual separation modes to reductively pyridylaminated glucose provided a good tool for identification of oligosaccharides.

A comprehensive procedure for preparation of partially methylated alditol acetates from glycoprotein carbohydrates

Various steps involved in the preparation of partially methylated alditol acetates (PMAAs) from glycoprotein-derived carbohydrates were improved to obtain the derivatives in a rapid manner with excellent yields. Carbohydrates were permethylated in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), using a fine suspension of sodium hydroxide and methyl iodide (CH3I). The fine suspension of NaOH was prepared conveniently from commercially available 50% aqueous NaOH in DMSO by sonication and washing the precipitate with DMSO. Methylation of ovalbumin and fetuin glycopeptides using the fine suspension of NaOH and CH3I was complete within 5 min, and the methylation reaction did not generate any nonsugar artifacts. Methylated carbohydrates without any purification were hydrolyzed in a mixture of volatile organic acids, which permitted rapid removal of the acids from samples by evaporation. Acetylation of partially methylated alditols with acetic anhydride for 2-4 h at ambient temperature using 4-N,N'-dimethylaminopyridine as a catalyst and the reaction was free from generating nonsugar reaction artifacts. The reaction time course for methylation, hydrolysis, and acetylation was determined to obtain optimum reaction conditions for preparation of the PMAAs. The procedure facilitated rapid identification and quantitation of PMAAs due to diminished reaction artifacts and the quality of the chromatogram depended only on the purity of starting material and the reagents used for the methylation analysis. Utility of these simple methods for rapid methylation analysis was demonstrated in the characterization of oligosaccharides isolated in small amounts using a carbohydrate analyzer.

The combination of normal phase with reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography for the analysis of asparagine-linked neutral oligosaccharides labelled with p-aminobenzoic ethyl ester

We have developed a novel approach for the analysis of asparagine-linked neutral oligosaccharides derived from glycoproteins. The oligosaccharides are labelled with p-aminobenzoic ethyl ester and the derivatives are separated on two high performance liquid chromatographic columns, one containing amide-silica and the other containing octadecyl-silica. The elution positions of 39 different ABEE-oligosaccharides on the two columns were plotted on a two-dimensional map. Unique non-overlapping positions of these oligosaccharides demonstrate that this technology would be useful for the identification of Asn-linked oligosaccharides at high sensitivity.

Studies on synthetic pathway of xylose-containing N-linked oligosaccharides deduced from substrate specificities of the processing enzymes in sycamore cells (Acer pseudoplatanus L.)

We measured the activities of alpha-1,3-mannosyl-glycoprotein beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase, alpha-1,6-mannosyl-glycoprotein beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase, beta-1,4-mannosyl-glycoprotein beta-1,2-xylosyltransferase and glycoprotein 3-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase in the Golgi fraction of suspension-cultured cells of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) using fluorescence-labelled oligosaccharides as acceptor substrates for these transferase reactions. The structures of the pyridylaminated oligosaccharides produced by these reactions were analyzed by two-dimensional sugar mapping using high-performance liquid chromatography. We demonstrated that (formula; see text) was processed to produce by these in vitro reactions. On the basis of these results, we discuss a biosynthetic pathway for xylose containing N-linked oligosaccharides in plant glycoproteins.

Purification and characterization of Canavalia gladiata agglutinin

A lectin from Japanese jack bean (Canavalia gladiata agglutinin, CGA) was purified by affinity chromatography on a maltamyl-Sepharose column. On sodium dodecyl sulfate-poly(acrylamide) gel electrophoresis, CGA was shown to have a protein subunit with a mol. wt. of 30,000. CGA has an amino acid composition similar to that of Concanavalin A. The lectin activity of CGA could be detected not only by hemagglutination assay with trypsinized human erythrocytes but also by the binding assay with intact horseradish peroxidase. The binding method could determine CGA in a concentration ranging from 50 to 500 ng/mL. The quantitative-inhibition studies of the binding indicated that CGA has sugar-binding specificities similar to those of concanavalin A.

Rapid characterization of asparagine-linked oligosaccharides isolated from glycoproteins using a carbohydrate analyzer

Chromatographic methods were developed for the separation and characterization of acidic (sialylated) and neutral (asialo-complex and high-mannose) oligosaccharides released from glycoproteins with peptide N-glycosidase F. endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase F and endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H using a carbohydrate analyzer (Dionex BioLC). All the carbohydrate separations were carried out on a polymeric pellicular anion-exchange column HPIC-AS6/CarboPac PA-1 (Dionex) using only two eluants namely, 0.5 M NaOH and 3% acetic acid/NaOH pH 5.5, which were mixed with water to generate various gradients. Developed conditions for quantitative detection of carbohydrates with pulsed amperometry were necessary to obtain steady baselines at 0.1-0.3 microA output with suitable sensitivity (less than 5 pmol) in separations employing a variety of acidic and alkaline sodium acetate gradients. Oligosaccharides released from heat-denatured and trypsin-treated glycoproteins were purified initially from large-scale digestion (greater than 0.1 g) by extraction of peptide material into phenol/chloroform and finally by ion-exchange chromatography of the acqueous phase. Oligosaccharides isolated from the peptide N-glycosidase digests of bovine fetuin, human transferrin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gave multiple peaks in each charge group in separations based on the charge content at pH 5.5. Alkaline sodium acetate gradients were developed to obtain oligosaccharide maps of the glycoproteins within 60 min, in which separated oligosaccharides eluted in the order of neutral, mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-sialylated species based on both charge, size and structure. Baseline separations were obtained with neutral oligosaccharide types but mixtures of high-mannose and complex types were poorly resolved. The high-mannose peaks were eliminated specifically from complex oligosaccharides by digesting with alpha-mannosidase. Treatment with beta-galactosidase, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and alpha-mannosidase resulted in a decrease of the oligosaccharide elution times corresponding to the number of sugar residues lost, the profile of changes was highly reproducible. In contrast, treatment with alpha-L-fucosidase, endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase F and endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H resulted in an increase in their corresponding oligosaccharide retention times similar to the presence of an additional sugar residue. Conditions developed for separation of the reduced oligosaccharides and also a mixture of monosaccharide to oligosaccharide containing about 15 sugar residues within 30 min were useful in determining the effect of endo- and exo-glycosidases on porcine thyroglobulin oligosaccharides. Changes in elution time of the oligosaccharides following specific glycosidase digestions combined with methylation analysis provided a rapid and sensitive tool for confirmation of the carbohydrate primary structures present in thyroglobulin.

Analysis of the oligosaccharides in ovalbumin by high-performance capillary electrophoresis

The oligosaccharides in ovalbumin as a glycoprotein model were released with anhydrous hydrazine, and reductively pyridylaminated after re-N-acetylation. The derivatives were analyzed by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with on-column fluorometric detection. Direct CZE could separate the derivatives on the basis of the degree of polymerization, giving five peaks of hepta-, octa-, nona-, deca-, and undecasaccharides. Coelectrophoresis with the standard mixture of isomaltooligosaccharide derivatives was effective for peak assignment. CZE as borate complexes allowed separation on the basis of structural difference, especially in the peripheral monosaccharide residues. Peaks were tentatively assigned to the derivatives of reported oligosaccharides by comparing their relative mobilities with those of the chromatographic fractions obtained by using the ODS and Dowex 50W x 2 columns. These two modes gave excellent separation and were complementary to each other. Although the actual amount analyzed in the capillary tube was quite small (ca. 5 ng as carbohydrates), a larger amount (ca. 25 micrograms as carbohydrates) was required to make sample concentration sufficiently high to be detected by a modification of a commercial fluoromonitor for HPLC.

Carbohydrate-binding specificity of the daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) and amaryllis (Hippeastrum hybr.) bulb lectins

The carbohydrate binding specificity of the daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus; NPA) and amaryllis (Hippeastrum hybr.; HHA) lectins, isolated from extracts of their bulbs by affinity chromatography on immobilized mannose, was studied by quantitative precipitation, sugar hapten inhibition, and affinity chromatography on the immobilized lectins. These lectins gave strong precipitation reactions with several yeast mannans, but did not precipitate with alpha-D-glucans (e.g., dextrans and glycogen). Interestingly, both lectins reacted strongly with yeast galactomannans having multiple nonreducing terminal alpha-D-galactosyl groups, a synthetic linear alpha-1,6-mannan, and an alpha-1,3-mannan (DP = 30). Treatment of the linear alpha-1,3-mannan with periodate, resulting in oxidation of the terminal, nonreducing mannosyl group, did not reduce its reactivity with NPA or HHA. Taken together, these observations suggest that NPA and HHA react not only with terminal but also with internal alpha-D-mannosyl residues. Sugar hapten inhibition studies showed these lectins to possess the greatest specific activity for alpha-D-mannosyl units whereas D-Glc and D-GlcNAc did not inhibit either lectin precipitation system. Of the oligosaccharides tested, the best inhibitor of NPA interaction was alpha-1,6-linked mannotriose, which was twice as good an inhibitor as Man alpha 1,6Man alpha-O-Me and 10 times better than methyl alpha-D-mannoside. On the other hand, oligosaccharides containing either 1,3- or 1,6-linked mannosyl units were good inhibitors of the HHA-mannan precipitation system (6- to 20-fold more active than D-Man). These results indicate that both lectins appear to possess an extended binding site(s) complementary to at least three 1,6-linked alpha-mannosyl units. Various glycosylasparagine glycopeptides which contain alpha-1,6-Man units were retarded on the immobilized NPA column. On the other hand, those containing either alpha-1,3- or alpha-1,6-mannosyl residues were retarded on the immobilized HHA column; Man5-GlcNAc2-Asn [containing two Man alpha 1,3(Man alpha 1,6) units] bound to the HHA column. On the contrary, glycopeptides with hybrid type glycan chains were not retarded on either column. These two new lectins which differ in their fine sugar binding specificity from each other, and also from the snowdrop lectin, should prove to be useful probes for the detection and preliminary characterization of glycoconjugates on cell surfaces and in solution.

Characterisation of the asparagine-linked oligosaccharides from Trypanosoma brucei type-I variant surface glycoproteins

The complete primary structures of the Asn-linked oligosaccharides from the conserved glycosylation site of the type-I variant surface glycoproteins of Trypanosoma brucei MITat 1.4 and MITat 1.6 were determined using a combination of exoglycosidase digestions, permethylation analysis, acetolysis and 1H NMR. Both variants contained almost exclusively oligomannose-type oligosaccharides, identical in structure to those of mammalian glycoproteins. The oligosaccharides ranged in size from (Man)9(GlcNAc)2 to (Man)5(GlcNAc)2. The relative abundance of each component was similar in both variants. The major components were (Man)8(GlcNAc)2 and (Man)7(GlcNAc)2 with slightly less (Man)9(GlcNAc)2 and (Man)6(GlcNAc)2 and much less (Man)5(GlcNAc)2. Both variants also contained the same structural isomers. The close similarity of the oligomannose series indicates identical processing at the conserved site in both variants.

Structural requirements for the binding of oligosaccharides to immobilized lectin of Erythrina variegata (Linn) var. orientalis

The structural requirements for the interaction of asparagine-linked oligosaccharide moieties of glycoproteins with Erythrina variegata agglutinin (EVA) were investigated by means of affinity chromatography on an EVA-Sepharose column. Some of the branched poly-N-acetyllactosamine-type oligosaccharides obtained from human erythrocyte band 3 glycoprotein were found to show high affinity to EVA-Sepharose, whereas complex-type oligosaccharides were shown to have low affinity. Hybrid type, oligomannose-type and unbranched poly-N-acetyllactosamine-type oligosaccharides bound very little or not at all to EVA-Sepharose. To further study the carbohydrate-binding specificity of this lectin, we investigated the interaction of immobilized EVA and oligosaccharide fragments obtained through partial hydrolysis from branched poly-N-acetyllactosamine-type oligosaccharides. Branched poly-N-acetyllactosamine-type oligosaccharides were subjected to limited hydrolysis with 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid at 100 degrees C for 40 min and then separated on an amino-bonded silica column. One of pentasaccharides thus prepared strongly bound to the EVA-Sepharose column. Structural analysis of this pentasaccharide showed that the Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-3(Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-6)Gal sugar sequence, which is an I-antigen determinant, was essential for the high affinity binding of the oligosaccharides to the EVA-Sepharose column.

Thyroglobulin structure and function: recent advances

Thyroglobulin is a large-size iodoglycoprotein specific to thyroid tissue and is the substrate for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, thyroxine and 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine. Recent studies, which greatly benefited from recombinant DNA methodologies, improved the knowledge of several structural features of this dimeric protein and permitted insights into some structure-function relationships. Analysis-function of the primary structure of the human thyroglobulin monomer revealed several main characteristics: 1) 3 types of internal homologies; 2) extensive homology with the bovine thyroglobulin monomer and known partial sequences in the thyroglobulins of other mammalian species; 3) significant homologies with 2 other non-thyroid proteins (acetylcholinesterase and the invariant chain of the Ia class II histocompatibility antigen); 4) a terminal localization of the hormonogenic sites at both ends of the monomer. Current studies aim at determining conformational characteristics, understanding the molecular mechanisms of thyroid hormone formation and unraveling those interactions which in the thyroid cell and the thyroid follicle will permit this large pro-hormone to synthesize and release a few small thyroid hormone molecules. A more precise knowledge of this molecule in higher vertebrates and during evolution would impart valuable information concerning thyroid pathology, since thyroglobulin has been implicated in some genetic and in autoimmune thyroid diseases.

Sulfated N-linked carbohydrate chains in porcine thyroglobulin

N-linked carbohydrate chains of porcine thyroglobulin were released by the hydrazinolysis procedure. The resulting mixture of oligosaccharide-alditols was fractionated by high-voltage paper electrophoresis, the acidic fractions were further separated by high-performance liquid chromatography on Lichrosorb-NH2, and analyzed by 500-MHz 1H-NMR spectroscopy and, partially, by permethylation analysis. Of the acidic oligosaccharide-alditols, the following sulfated carbohydrate chains could be identified: NeuAc alpha 2----6Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----2Man alpha 1----3[(SO3Na----3)Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta1----2-Mana alpha 1----6]Man beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----4[Fuc alpha 1----6]GlcNAc-ol and NeuAc alpha 2----6Gal beta 1----4(SO3Na----)0-1 GlcNAc beta 1----2-Man alpha 1----3[NeuAc alpha 2----6Gal beta 1----4(SO3Na----6)1-0GlcNAc beta 1----2Man alpha 1----6]Man beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----4[Fuc alpha 1----6]GlcNAc- ol. The sulfated structural elements for porcine thyroglobulin form novel details of N-linked carbohydrate chains. They contribute to the fine structure of these oligosaccharides and are another type of expression of microheterogeneity.

On the utility of 13C-n.m.r. spectroscopy in the identification of the primary structures of manno-oligosaccharides and glycopeptides

The utility of 13C-n.m.r. spectroscopy in the identification of the primary structures of mannose-containing glycans is investigated. Unlike 1H resonances where the chemical shifts reflect multiple short- and long-range effects, the chemical shifts of 13C resonances are dependent largely upon short-range effects classified as glycosylation (linkage) and substitution effects. These effects are parametized for glycans composed of mannose and encoded in a FORTRAN algorithm. Applications of this program to "unknown" sets of experimental chemical shifts for the resonances of anomeric carbons gave the following conclusions. (1) This program can be used to produce a sub-set of possible structures inclusive of the "known" structure. (2) For other than simple oligosaccharides, it is unlikely that a single structure is consistent with the data for anomeric carbons alone, even when the linkage composition of the glycan has been assessed from other spectral data. (3) When used in conjunction with other chemical techniques, this program can provide a powerful tool for primary analysis of the structure of mannose-containing glycans.

Structural analysis of N-linked oligosaccharides by a combination of glycopeptidase, exoglycosidases, and high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple, sensitive, and rapid method for the analysis of structures of N-linked carbohydrates is reported. The method involves four steps: preparation of carbohydrate chains from glycopeptides by N-oligosaccharide glycopeptidase digestion; derivatization of the reducing ends of carbohydrate chains with a fluorescent reagent, 2-aminopyridine, by using sodium cyanoborohydride; separation of oligosaccharide derivatives by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography; and structural analysis of oligosaccharides by sequential exoglycosidase digestion. The elution positions of 50 standard oligosaccharide derivatives were determined by HPLC. The structure of an unknown oligosaccharide can be characterized by comparison of its elution position with those of the standard compounds. The method was applied to elucidate the structures of oligosaccharides in the myeloma IgG protein, Yot.