Core 1 glycans on alpha-dystroglycan mediate laminin-induced acetylcholine receptor clustering but not laminin binding

The Synthesis of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase/N-acetylmannosamine Kinase (GNE), α-dystroglycan, and β-galactoside α-2,3-sialyltransferase 6 (ST3Gal6) By Skeletal Muscle Cell As a Response To Infection with Trichinella Spiralis

The Nurse cell of the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis is a unique structure established after genetic, morphological and functional modification of a small portion of invaded skeletal muscle fiber. Even if the newly developed cytoplasm of the Nurse cell is no longer contractile, this structure remains well integrated within the surrounding healthy tissue. Our previous reports suggested that this process is accompanied by an increased local biosynthesis of sialylated glycoproteins. In this work we examined the expressions of three proteins, functionally associated with the process of sialylation. The enzyme UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase/N-acetylmannosamine kinase (GNE) is a key initiator of the sialic acid biosynthetic pathway. The α-dystroglycan was the only identified sialylated glycoprotein in skeletal muscles by now, bearing sialyl-α-2,3-Gal-β-1,4-Gl-cNAc-β-1,2-Man-α-1-O-Ser/Thr glycan. The third protein of interest for this study was the enzyme β-galactoside α-2,3-sialyltransferase 6 (ST3Gal6), which transfers sialic acid preferably onto Gal-β-1,4-GlcNAc as an acceptor, and thus it was considered as a suitable candidate for the sialylation of the α-dystroglycan. The expressions of the three proteins were analyzed by real time-PCR and immunohistochemistry on modified methacarn fixed paraffin tissue sections of mouse skeletal muscle samples collected at days 0, 14 and 35 post infection. According to our findings, the up-regulation of GNE was a characteristic of the early and the late stage of the Nurse cell development. Additional features of this process were the elevated expressions of α-dystroglycan and the enzyme ST3Gal6. We provided strong evidence that an increased local synthesis of sialic acids is a trait of the Nurse cell of T. spiralis, and at least in part due to an overexpression of α-dystroglycan. In addition, circumstantially we suggest that the enzyme ST3Gal6 is engaged in the process of sialylation of the major oligosaccharide component of α-dystroglycan.

Absence of ST3Gal2 and ST3Gal4 sialyltransferase expressions in the nurse cell of Trichinella spiralis

This study was aimed to describe some glycosylation changes in the Nurse cell of Trichinella spiralis in mouse skeletal muscle. Tissue specimens were subjected to lectin histochemistry with Maackia amurensis lectin (MAL), Peanut agglutinin (PNA) and neuraminidase desialylation in order to verify and analyse the structure of α-2,3-sialylated glycoproteins, discovered within the affected sarcoplasm. The expressions of two sialyltransferases were examined by immunohistochemistry. It was found out that the occupied portion of skeletal muscle cell responded with synthesis of presumable sialyl-T-antigen and α-2,3-sialyllactosamine structure, that remained accumulated during the time course of Nurse cell development. The enzymes β-galactoside-α-2,3-sialyltransferases 2 and 4, which could be responsible for the sialylation of each of these structures, were however not present in the invaded muscle portions, although their expressions in the healthy surrounding tissue remained persistent. Our results contribute to the progressive understanding about the amazing abilities of Trichinella spiralis to manipulate the genetic programme of its host.

Overview of sialylation status in human nervous and skeletal muscle tissues during aging

Sialic acids (Sias) are a large and heterogeneous family of electronegatively charged nine-carbon monosaccharides containing a carboxylic acid and are mostly found as terminal residues in glycans of glycoproteins and glycolipids such as gangliosides. They are linked to galactose or N-acetylgalactosamine via α2,3 or α2,6 linkage, or to other Sias via α2,8 or more rarely α2,9 linkage, resulting in mono, oligo and polymeric forms. Given their characteristics, Sias play a crucial role in a multitude of human tissue biological processes in physiological and pathological conditions, ranging from development and growth to adult life until aging. Here, we review the sialylation status in human adult life focusing on the nervous and skeletal muscle tissues, which both display significant structural and functional changes during aging, strongly impacting on the whole human body and, therefore, on the quality of life. In particular, this review highlights the fundamental roles played by different types of glycoconjugates Sias in several cellular biological processes in the nervous and skeletal muscle tissues during adult life, also discussing how changes in Sia content during aging may contribute to the physiological decline of physical and nervous functions and to the development of age-related degenerative pathologies. Based on our current knowledge, further in-depth investigations could help to develop novel prophylactic strategies and therapeutic approaches that, by maintaining and/or restoring the correct sialylation status in the nervous and skeletal muscle tissues, could contribute to aging slowing and the prevention of age-related pathologies.

Remarkable Homeostasis of Protein Sialylation in Skeletal Muscles of Hibernating Daurian Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus)

As the most common post-translational protein modification, glycosylation is intimately linked to muscle atrophy. This study aimed to investigate the performance of protein glycosylation in the soleus muscle (SOL) in Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus) and to determine the potential role of protein glycosylation in the mechanism underlying disuse muscle atrophy prevention. The results showed that (1) seven glycan structures comprising sialic acid α2-3 galactose (SAα2-3Gal) were altered during hibernation; (2) alterations in the SAα2-3Gal structure during hibernation were based on changes in the expression levels of beta-galactoside alpha-2 and 3-sialyltransferases; and (3) α2-3–linked sialylated modifications of heat shock cognate 70 and pyruvate kinase and expression of 14-3-3 epsilon protein were oscillatorily changed during hibernation. Our findings indicate that the skeletal muscles of hibernating Daurian ground squirrels maintain protein sialylation homeostasis by restoring sialylation modification during periodic interbout arousal, which might protect the skeletal muscles against disuse atrophy.

The EngCP endo α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase is a virulence factor involved in Clostridium perfringens gas gangrene infections

Clostridium perfringens is the causative agent of human clostridial myonecrosis; the major toxins involved in this disease are α-toxin and perfringolysin O. The RevSR two-component regulatory system has been shown to be involved in regulating virulence in a mouse myonecrosis model. Previous microarray and RNAseq analysis of a revR mutant implied that factors other than the major toxins may play a role in virulence. The RNAseq data showed that the expression of the gene encoding the EngCP endo α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (CPE0693) was significantly down-regulated in a revR mutant. Enzymes from this family have been identified in several Gram-positive pathogens and have been postulated to contribute to their virulence. In this study, we constructed an engCP mutant of C. perfringens and showed that it was significantly less virulent than its wild-type parent strain. Virulence was restored by complementation in trans with the wild-type engCP gene. We also demonstrated that purified EngCP was able to hydrolyse α-dystroglycan derived from C2C12 mouse myotubes. However, EngCP had little effect on membrane permeability in mice, suggesting that EngCP may play a role other than the disruption of the structural integrity of myofibres. Glycan array analysis indicated that EngCP could recognise structures containing the monosaccharide N-acetlygalactosamine at 4C, but could recognise structures terminating in galactose, glucose and N-acetylglucosamine under conditions where EngCP was enzymatically active. In conclusion, we have obtained evidence that EngCP is required for virulence in C. perfringens and, although classical exotoxins are important for disease, we have now shown that an O-glycosidase also plays an important role in the disease process.

Regular alteration of protein glycosylation in skeletal muscles of hibernating Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus)

Glycosylation is one of the most common post-translational protein modifications and is closely associated with muscle atrophy. This study aims to investigate the changes in glycan profiles in the fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus) during hibernation as well as the correlation between protein glycosylation and muscle atrophy prevention in hibernating animals. The results showed that there was no significant change in the muscle-to-body mass ratio, muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA), fiber distribution and ultrastructures in the EDL muscles of ground squirrels during hibernation. Alterations of six glycans comprising sialic acid α2-3 galactose (Sia2-3Gal) and Fucα1-2Galβ1-4Glc(NAc) in the EDL muscles were observed. In addition, the observed downregulation of sialyltransferase (ST3Gals) mRNA levels and upregulation of fucosyltransferase (FUT1 and FUT2) mRNA levels during hibernation and the subsequent restoration to normal levels during periodic interbout arousal were consistent with the changes in sialic acid and fucose modifications. Our results indicate that changes in ST3Gals and FUTs in the EDL muscles of Daurian ground squirrels during hibernation can alter sialylation and fucosylation of muscle glycoproteins, which may protect the skeletal muscles of hibernating Daurian ground squirrels from disuse atrophy.

Accumulation of α-2,6-sialyoglycoproteins in the Muscle Sarcoplasm Due to Trichinella Sp. Invasion

The sialylation of the glycoproteins in skeletal muscle tissue is not well investigated, even though the essential role of the sialic acids for the proper muscular function has been proven by many researchers. The invasion of the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis in the muscles with subsequent formation of Nurse cell-parasite complex initiates increased accumulation of sialylated glycoproteins within the affected area of the muscle fiber. The aim of this study is to describe some details of the α-2,6-sialylation in invaded muscle cells. Asynchronous invasion with infectious T. spiralis larvae was experimentally induced in mice. The areas of the occupied sarcoplasm were reactive towards α-2,6-sialic acid specific Sambucus nigra agglutinin during the whole process of transformation to a Nurse cell.The cytoplasm of the developing Nurse cell reacted with Helix pomatia agglutinin, Arachis hypogea agglutinin and Vicia villosa lectin-B4 after neuraminidase pretreatment.Up-regulation of the enzyme ST6GalNAc1 and down-regulation of the enzyme ST6GalNAc3 were detected throughout the course of this study. The results from our study assumed accumulation of sialyl-Tn-Ag, 6`-sialyl lactosamine, SiA-α-2,6-Gal-β-1,3-GalNAc-α-Ser/Thr and Gal-β-1,3-GalNAc(SiA-α-2,6-)-α-1-Ser/Thr oligosaccharide structures into the occupied sarcoplasm. Further investigations in this domain will develop the understanding about the amazing adaptive capabilities of skeletal muscle tissue.

Glucuronylated core 1 glycans are required for precise localization of neuromuscular junctions and normal formation of basement membranes on Drosophila muscles

T antigen (Galβ1-3GalNAcα1-Ser/Thr) is an evolutionary-conserved mucin-type core 1 glycan structure in animals synthesized by core 1 β1,3-galactosyltransferase 1 (C1GalT1). Previous studies showed that T antigen produced by Drosophila C1GalT1 (dC1GalT1) was expressed in various tissues and dC1GalT1 loss in larvae led to various defects, including decreased number of circulating hemocytes, hyper-differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells in lymph glands, malformation of the central nervous system, mislocalization of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) boutons, and ultrastructural abnormalities in NMJs and muscle cells. Although glucuronylated T antigen (GlcAβ1-3Galβ1-3GalNAcα1-Ser/Thr) has been identified in Drosophila, the physiological function of this structure has not yet been clarified. In this study, for the first time, we unraveled biological roles of glucuronylated T antigen. Our data show that in Drosophila, glucuronylation of T antigen is predominantly carried out by Drosophila β1,3-glucuronyltransferase-P (dGlcAT-P). We created dGlcAT-P null mutants and found that mutant larvae showed lower expression of glucuronylated T antigen on the muscles and at NMJs. Furthermore, mislocalization of NMJ boutons and a partial loss of the basement membrane components collagen IV (Col IV) and nidogen (Ndg) at the muscle 6/7 boundary were observed. Those two phenotypes were correlated and identical to previously described phenotypes in dC1GalT1 mutant larvae. In addition, dGlcAT-P null mutants exhibited fewer NMJ branches on muscles 6/7. Moreover, ultrastructural analysis revealed that basement membranes that lacked Col IV and Ndg were significantly deformed. We also found that the loss of dGlcAT-P expression caused ultrastructural defects in NMJ boutons. Finally, we showed a genetic interaction between dGlcAT-P and dC1GalT1. Therefore, these results demonstrate that glucuronylated core 1 glycans synthesized by dGlcAT-P are key modulators of NMJ bouton localization, basement membrane formation, and NMJ arborization on larval muscles.

Mucin-type core 1 glycans regulate the localization of neuromuscular junctions and establishment of muscle cell architecture in Drosophila

T antigen (Galβ1-3GalNAcα1-Ser/Thr), a core 1 mucin-type O-glycan structure, is synthesized by Drosophila core 1 β1,3-galactosyltrasferase 1 (dC1GalT1) and is expressed in various tissues. We previously reported that dC1GalT1 synthesizes T antigen expressed in hemocytes, lymph glands, and the central nervous system (CNS) and that dC1GalT1 mutant larvae display decreased numbers of circulating hemocytes and excessive differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells in lymph glands. dC1GalT1 mutant larvae have also been shown to have morphological defects in the CNS. However, the functions of T antigen in other tissues remain largely unknown. In this study, we found that glycans contributed to the localization of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) boutons. In dC1GalT1 mutant larvae, NMJs were ectopically formed in the cleft between muscles 6 and 7 and connected with these two muscles. dC1GalT1 synthesized T antigen, which was expressed at NMJs. In addition, we determined the function of mucin-type O-glycans in muscle cells. In dC1GalT1 mutant muscles, myofibers and basement membranes were disorganized. Moreover, ultrastructural defects in NMJs and accumulation of large endosome-like structures within both NMJ boutons and muscle cells were observed in dC1GalT1 mutants. Taken together, these results demonstrated that mucin-type O-glycans synthesized by dC1GalT1 were involved in the localization of NMJ boutons, synaptogenesis of NMJs, establishment of muscle cell architecture, and endocytosis.

Increased sialylation as a phenomenon in accommodation of the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis (Owen, 1835) in skeletal muscle fibres

The biology of sialic acids has been an object of interest in many models of acquired and inherited skeletal muscle pathology. The present study focuses on the sialylation changes in mouse skeletal muscle after invasion by the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis (Owen, 1835). Asynchronous infection with T. spiralis was induced in mice that were sacrificed at different time points of the muscle phase of the disease. The amounts of free sialic acid, sialylated glycoproteins and total sialyltransferase activity were quantified. Histochemistry with lectins specific for sialic acid was performed in order to localise distribution of sialylated glycoconjugates and to clarify the type of linkage of the sialic acid residues on the carbohydrate chains. Elevated intracellular accumulation of α-2,3- and α-2,6-sialylated glycoconjugates was found only within the affected sarcoplasm of muscle fibres invaded by the parasite. The levels of free and protein-bound sialic acid were increased and the total sialyltransferase activity was also elevated in the skeletal muscle tissue of animals with trichinellosis. We suggest that the biological significance of this phenomenon might be associated with securing integrity of the newly formed nurse cell within the surrounding healthy skeletal muscle tissue. The increased sialylation might inhibit the affected muscle cell contractility through decreased membrane ion gating, helping the parasite accommodation process.

Expression of sialic acids in human adult skeletal muscle tissue

Investigations mostly in animal models have shown a role of sialic acid in the morphology and functionality of skeletal muscle during development and adult life. Several studies in humans have been performed regarding changes in sialic acid expression in a particular pathology, hereditary inclusion body myopathy, leading to muscular weakness and atrophy, with a similar phenomenon appearing also in sarcopenia of aging. In this study the expression of monomeric and polymeric sialic acids was evaluated in human skeletal muscle during adult life. Surgical biopsies of the Quadriceps femoris muscle from men aged 18-25 years (young group; n=8) and men aged 72-78 (elderly group; n=10) were collected for analysis. Expression of sialic acids was evaluated using lectin histochemistry, associated with enzymatic and chemical treatments to characterize monomeric and polymeric sialic acids. The polysialic acid expression was also evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Various types of sialic acid in the muscle tissue, in different amounts in the study groups, were detected. Monomeric sialic acids decreased in the elderly group compared with the young group, whereas polysialic acid increased. Sialic acid acetylation was present only in the young group. These findings demonstrated that changes in the expression of sialic acids in skeletal muscle tissue may be related to morphofunctional modifications occurring during aging.

ISPD gene mutations are a common cause of congenital and limb-girdle muscular dystrophies

Dystroglycanopathies are a clinically and genetically diverse group of recessively inherited conditions ranging from the most severe of the congenital muscular dystrophies, Walker-Warburg syndrome, to mild forms of adult-onset limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Their hallmark is a reduction in the functional glycosylation of α-dystroglycan, which can be detected in muscle biopsies. An important part of this glycosylation is a unique O-mannosylation, essential for the interaction of α-dystroglycan with extracellular matrix proteins such as laminin-α2. Mutations in eight genes coding for proteins in the glycosylation pathway are responsible for ∼50% of dystroglycanopathy cases. Despite multiple efforts using traditional positional cloning, the causative genes for unsolved dystroglycanopathy cases have escaped discovery for several years. In a recent collaborative study, we discovered that loss-of-function recessive mutations in a novel gene, called isoprenoid synthase domain containing (ISPD), are a relatively common cause of Walker-Warburg syndrome. In this article, we report the involvement of the ISPD gene in milder dystroglycanopathy phenotypes ranging from congenital muscular dystrophy to limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and identified allelic ISPD variants in nine cases belonging to seven families. In two ambulant cases, there was evidence of structural brain involvement, whereas in seven, the clinical manifestation was restricted to a dystrophic skeletal muscle phenotype. Although the function of ISPD in mammals is not yet known, mutations in this gene clearly lead to a reduction in the functional glycosylation of α-dystroglycan, which not only causes the severe Walker-Warburg syndrome but is also a common cause of the milder forms of dystroglycanopathy.

Muscular dystrophies due to glycosylation defects: diagnosis and therapeutic strategies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Dystroglycanopathies are a common group of diseases characterized by a reduction in α-dystroglycan glycosylation. This review discusses the recent novel discovery of additional dystroglycanopathy variants and progress in dystroglycanopathy animal models.

RECENT FINDINGS

Several novel glycosyltransferase genes have been found to be responsible for a dystroglycanopathy phenotype, and in addition recessive mutations in DAG1 have been identified for the first time in a primary dystroglycanopathy. Studies in dystroglycanopathy mouse models have clarified some aspects of the structural defects observed in the central nervous system and in the eye, whereas a study in zebrafish implicates unfolded protein response in the pathogenesis of two of the secondary dystroglycanopathies.

SUMMARY

Improved understanding of the molecular bases of dystroglycanopathies will lead to more precise diagnosis and genetic counseling; therapeutic strategies are being developed and tested in the preclinical models and it is hoped that these observations will pave the way to therapeutic interventions in humans.

Large induces functional glycans in an O-mannosylation dependent manner and targets GlcNAc terminals on alpha-dystroglycan

Alpha-dystroglycan (α-DG) is a ubiquitously expressed receptor for extracellular matrix proteins and some viruses, and plays a pivotal role in a number of pathological events, including cancer progression, muscular dystrophies, and viral infection. The O-glycans on α-DG are essential for its ligand binding, but the biosynthesis of the functional O-glycans remains obscure. The fact that transient overexpression of LARGE, a putative glycosyltransferase, up-regulates the functional glycans on α-DG to mediate its ligand binding implied that overexpression of LARGE may be a novel strategy to treat disorders with hypoglycosylation of α-DG. In this study, we focus on the effects of stable overexpression of Large on α-DG glycosylation in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell and its glycosylation deficient mutants. Surprisingly, stable overexpression of Large in an O-mannosylation null deficient Lec15.2 CHO cells failed to induce the functional glycans on α-DG. Introducing the wild-type DPM2 cDNA, the deficient gene in the Lec15.2 cells, fully restored the Large-induced functional glycosylation, suggesting that Large induces the functional glycans in a DPM2/O-mannosylation dependent manner. Furthermore, stable overexpression of Large can effectively induce functional glycans on N-linked glycans in the Lec8 cells and ldlD cells growing in Gal deficient media, in both of which circumstances galactosylation are deficient. In addition, supplement of Gal to the ldlD cell culture media significantly reduces the amount of functional glycans induced by Large, suggested that galactosylation suppresses Large to induce the functional glycans. Thus our results revealed a mechanism by which Large competes with galactosyltransferase to target GlcNAc terminals to induce the functional glycans on α-DG.

Characterization of site-specific O-glycan structures within the mucin-like domain of alpha-dystroglycan from human skeletal muscle

The glycosylation of the extracellular protein alpha-dystroglycan is important for its ligand-binding activity, and altered or blocked glycosylation is associated with several forms of congenital muscular dystrophies. By immunoprecipitation and sialic acid capture-and-release enrichment strategies, we isolated tryptic glycopeptides of alpha-dystroglycan from human skeletal muscle. Nano-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify both glycopeptides and peptides corresponding to the mucin-like and C-terminal domain of alpha-dystroglycan. The O-glycans found had either Hex-O-Thr or HexNAc-O-Ser/Thr anchored structures, which were often elongated and frequently, but not always, terminated with sialic acid. The HexNAc-O-Ser/Thr, but not Hex-O-Thr glycopeptides, displayed heterogeneity regarding glycan core structures and level of glycosylation site occupancy. We demonstrate for the first time glycan attachment sites of the NeuAcHexHexNAcHex-O structure corresponding to the anticipated Neu5Acalpha3Galbeta4GlcNAcbeta2Man-O-glycan (sLacNAc-Man), within the mucin-like domain of human alpha-dystroglycan from human skeletal muscle. Twenty-five glycopeptides were characterized from human alpha-dystroglycan, which provide insight to the complex in vivo O-glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan.

Mutational and functional analysis of Large in a novel CHO glycosylation mutant

Inactivating mutations of Large reduce the functional glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan (alpha-DG) and lead to muscular dystrophy in mouse and humans. The N-terminal domain of Large is most similar to UDP-glucose glucosyltransferases (UGGT), and the C-terminal domain is related to the human i blood group transferase beta1,3GlcNAcT-1. The amino acids at conserved motifs DQD+1 and DQD+3 in the UGGT domain are necessary for mammalian UGGT activity. When the corresponding residues were mutated to Ala in mouse Large, alpha-DG was not functionally glycosylated. A similar result was obtained when a DXD motif in the beta1,3GlcNAcT-1 domain was mutated to AIA. Therefore, the first putative glycosyltransferase domain of Large has properties of a UGGT and the second of a typical glycosyltransferase. Co-transfection of Large mutants affected in the different glycosyltransferase domains did not lead to complementation. While Large mutants were more localized to the endoplasmic reticulum than wild-type Large or revertants, all mutants were in the Golgi, and only very low levels of Golgi-localized Large were necessary to generate functional alpha-DG. When Large was overexpressed in ldlD.Lec1 mutant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells which synthesize few, if any, mucin O-GalNAc glycans and no complex N-glycans, functional alpha-DG was produced, presumably by modifying O-mannose glycans. To investigate mucin O-GalNAc glycans as substrates of Large, a new CHO mutant Lec15.Lec1 that lacked O-mannose and complex N-glycans was isolated and characterized. Following transfection with Large, Lec15.Lec1 cells also generated functionally glycosylated alpha-DG. Thus, Large may act on the O-mannose, complex N-glycans and mucin O-GalNAc glycans of alpha-DG.

Muscular dystrophies due to glycosylation defects

In the last few years, muscular dystrophies due to reduced glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan (ADG) have emerged as a common group of conditions, now referred to as dystroglycanopathies. Mutations in six genes (POMT1, POMT2, POMGnT1, Fukutin, FKRP and LARGE) have so far been identified in patients with a dystroglycanopathy. Allelic mutations in each of these genes can result in a wide spectrum of clinical conditions, ranging from severe congenital onset with associated structural brain malformations (Walker Warburg syndrome; muscle-eye-brain disease; Fukuyama muscular dystrophy; congenital muscular dystrophy type 1D) to a relatively milder congenital variant with no brain involvement (congenital muscular dystrophy type 1C), and to limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) type 2 variants with onset in childhood or adult life (LGMD2I, LGMD2L, and LGMD2N). ADG is a peripheral membrane protein that undergoes multiple and complex glycosylation steps to regulate its ability to effectively interact with extracellular matrix proteins, such as laminin, agrin, and perlecan. Although the precise composition of the glycans present on ADG are not known, it has been demonstrated that the forced overexpression of LARGE, or its paralog LARGE2, is capable of increasing the glycosylation of ADG in normal cells. In addition, its overexpression is capable of restoring dystroglycan glycosylation and laminin binding properties in primary cell cultures of patients affected by different genetically defined dystroglycanopathy variants. These observations suggest that there could be a role for therapeutic strategies to overcome the glycosylation defect in these conditions via the overexpression of LARGE.

Old World and clade C New World arenaviruses mimic the molecular mechanism of receptor recognition used by alpha-dystroglycan's host-derived ligands

alpha-Dystroglycan (DG) is an important cellular receptor for extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and also serves as the receptor for Old World arenaviruses Lassa fever virus (LFV) and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and clade C New World arenaviruses. In the host cell, alpha-DG is subject to a remarkably complex pattern of O glycosylation that is crucial for its interactions with ECM proteins. Two of these unusual sugar modifications, protein O mannosylation and glycan modifications involving the putative glycosyltransferase LARGE, have recently been implicated in arenavirus binding. Considering the complexity of alpha-DG O glycosylation, our present study was aimed at the identification of the specific O-linked glycans on alpha-DG that are recognized by arenaviruses. As previously shown for LCMV, we found that protein O mannosylation of alpha-DG is crucial for the binding of arenaviruses of distinct phylogenetic origins, including LFV, Mobala virus, and clade C New World arenaviruses. In contrast to the highly conserved requirement for O mannosylation, more generic O glycans present on alpha-DG are dispensable for arenavirus binding. Despite the critical role of O-mannosyl glycans for arenavirus binding under normal conditions, the overexpression of LARGE in cells deficient in O mannosylation resulted in highly glycosylated alpha-DG that was functional as a receptor for arenaviruses. Thus, modifications by LARGE but not O-mannosyl glycans themselves are most likely the crucial structures recognized by arenaviruses. Together, the data demonstrate that arenaviruses recognize the same highly conserved O-glycan structures on alpha-DG involved in ECM protein binding, indicating a strikingly similar mechanism of receptor recognition by pathogen- and host-derived ligands.

Crystal structure and cell surface anchorage sites of laminin alpha1LG4-5

The laminin G-like (LG) domains of laminin-111, a glycoprotein widely expressed during embryogenesis, provide cell anchoring and receptor binding sites that are involved in basement membrane assembly and cell signaling. We now report the crystal structure of the laminin alpha1LG4-5 domains and provide a mutational analysis of heparin, alpha-dystroglycan, and galactosylsulfatide binding. The two domains of alpha1LG4-5 are arranged in a V-shaped fashion similar to that observed with laminin alpha2 LG4-5 but with a substantially different interdomain angle. Recombinant alpha1LG4-5 binding to heparin, alpha-dystroglycan, and sulfatides was dependent upon both shared and unique contributions from basic residues distributed in several clusters on the surface of LG4. For heparin, the greatest contribution was detected from two clusters, 2719RKR and 2791KRK. Binding to alpha-dystroglycan was particularly dependent on basic residues within 2719RKR, 2831RAR, and 2858KDR. Binding to galactosylsulfatide was most affected by mutations in 2831RAR and 2766KGRTK but not in 2719RKR. The combined analysis of structure and activities reveal differences in LG domain interactions that should enable dissection of biological roles of different laminin ligands.

An Extracellular Pathway for Dystroglycan Function in Acetylcholine Receptor Aggregation and Laminin Deposition in Skeletal Myotubes

The dystroglycan (DG) complex is involved in agrin-induced acetylcholine receptor clustering downstream of muscle-specific kinase where it regulates the stability of acetylcholine receptor aggregates as well as assembly of the synaptic basement membrane. We have previously proposed that this entails coordinate extracellular and intracellular interactions of its two subunits, alpha- and beta-DG. To assess the contribution of the extracellular and intracellular portions of DG, we have used adenoviruses to express full-length and deletion mutants of beta-DG in myotubes derived from wild-type embryonic stem cells or from cells null for DG. We show that alpha-DG is properly glycosylated and targeted to the myotube surface in the absence of beta-DG. Extracellular interactions of DG modulate the size and the microcluster density of agrin-induced acetylcholine receptor aggregates and are responsible for targeting laminin to these clusters. Thus, the association of alpha- and beta-DG in skeletal muscle may coordinate independent roles in signaling. We discuss how DG may regulate synapses through extracellular signaling functions of its alpha subunit.

Alpha-dystroglycan, the usual suspect?

An increasing number of congenital muscular dystrophies might originate from genetic abnormalities of glycosyltransferases genes which are believed to target the alpha subunit of the dystroglycan (DG) adhesion complex as their major enzymatic substrate. alpha-DG is highly glycosylated and peripherally associated with the sarcolemma of skeletal muscle and the plasma membrane in a wide variety of cells. Several lines of evidence indicate that alpha-DG hypoglycosylation might represent the primary molecular event characterizing congenital dystrophies, since it is likely to alter alpha-DG high-affinity binding to laminin and other extracellular molecules, thus negatively influencing the basement-membrane/cytoskeleton axis and eventually leading to sarcolemmal instability, infiltration of myofibers and congenital weakness. For this reason, congenital diseases such as Walker-Warburg Syndrome or Muscle-Eye-Brain disease, have been recently denominated 'secondary dystroglycanopathies'. However, some crucial points need to be fully addressed in order to finally assess the degree of involvement of alpha-DG in congenital muscular diseases, for example: the possibility that mutations hitting the DG gene might lead to primary dystroglycanopathies; the putative functional or pathological role of hypoglycosylated - or even hyperglycosylated - alpha-DG molecules; or also the compensatory role played by the recently identified paralogue glycosyltransferases in alpha-DG sugar decoration.

Enhanced laminin binding by alpha-dystroglycan after enzymatic deglycosylation

Carbohydrate modifications are clearly important to the function of alpha-dystroglycan but their composition and structure remain poorly understood. In the present study, we describe experiments aimed at identifying the alpha-dystroglycan oligosaccharides important for its binding to laminin-1 and carbohydrate-dependent mAbs (monoclonal antibodies) IIH6 and VIA4(1). We digested highly purified skeletal muscle alpha-dystroglycan with an array of linkage-specific endo- and exoglycosidases, which were verified for action on alpha-dystroglycan by loss/gain of reactivity for lectins with defined glyco-epitopes. Notably, digestion with a combination of Arthrobacter ureafaciens sialidase, beta(1-4)galactosidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase substantially degraded SiaAalpha2-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-2Man glycans on highly purified alpha-dystroglycan that nonetheless exhibited enhanced IIH6, VIA4(1) and laminin-1 binding activity. Additional results indicate that alpha-dystroglycan is probably modified with other anionic sugars besides sialic acid and suggest that rare alpha-linked GlcNAc moieties may block its complete deglycosylation with currently available enzymes.

Mouse large can modify complex N- and mucin O-glycans on alpha-dystroglycan to induce laminin binding

The human LARGE gene encodes a protein with two putative glycosyltransferase domains and is required for the generation of functional alpha-dystroglycan (alpha-DG). Monoclonal antibodies IIH6 and VIA4-1 recognize the functional glycan epitopes of alpha-DG that are necessary for binding to laminin and other ligands. Overexpression of full-length mouse Large generated functionally glycosylated alpha-DG in Pro(-5) Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and the amount was increased by co-expression of protein:O-mannosyl N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1. However, functional alpha-DG represented only a small fraction of the alpha-DG synthesized by CHO cells or expressed from an alpha-DG construct. To identify features of the glycan epitopes induced by Large, the production of functionally glycosylated alpha-DG was investigated in several CHO glycosylation mutants. Mutants with defective transfer of sialic acid (Lec2), galactose (Lec8), or fucose (Lec13) to glycoconjugates, and the Lec15 mutant that cannot synthesize O-mannose glycans, all produced functionally glycosylated alpha-DG upon overexpression of Large. Laminin binding and the alpha-DG glycan epitopes were enhanced in Lec2 and Lec8 cells. In Lec15 cells, functional alpha-DG was increased by co-expression of core 2 N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1 with Large. Treatment with N-glycanase markedly reduced functionally glycosylated alpha-DG in Lec2 and Lec8 cells. The combined data provide evidence that Large does not transfer to Gal, Fuc, or sialic acid on alpha-DG nor induce the transfer of these sugars to alpha-DG. In addition, the data suggest that human LARGE may restore functional alpha-DG to muscle cells from patients with defective synthesis of O-mannose glycans via the modification of N-glycans and/or mucin O-glycans on alpha-DG.

Neuregulin Inhibits Acetylcholine Receptor Aggregation in Myotubes

The high local concentration of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction results from their aggregation by the agrin/MuSK signaling pathway and their synthetic up-regulation by the neuregulin/ErbB pathway. Here, we show a novel role for the neuregulin/ErbB pathway, the inhibition of AChR aggregation on the muscle surface. Treatment of C2C12 myotubes with the neuregulin epidermal growth factor domain decreased the number of both spontaneous and agrin-induced AChR clusters, in part by increasing the rate of cluster disassembly. Upon cluster disassembly, AChRs were internalized into caveolae (as identified by caveolin-3). Time-lapse microscopy revealed that individual AChR clusters fragmented into puncta, and application of neuregulin accelerated the rate at which AChR clusters decreased in area without affecting the density of AChRs remaining in individual clusters (as measured by the fluorescence intensity/unit area). We propose that this novel action of neuregulin regulates synaptic competition at the developing neuromuscular junction.