Fuc-TIX: a versatile alpha1,3-fucosyltransferase with a distinct acceptor- and site-specificity profile

Evolution of protein N-glycosylation process in Golgi apparatus which shapes diversity of protein N-glycan structures in plants, animals and fungi

Protein N-glycosylation (PNG) is crucial for protein folding and enzymatic activities, and has remarkable diversity among eukaryotic species. Little is known of how unique PNG mechanisms arose and evolved in eukaryotes. Here we demonstrate a picture of onset and evolution of PNG components in Golgi apparatus that shaped diversity of eukaryotic protein N-glycan structures, with an emphasis on roles that domain emergence and combination played on PNG evolution. 23 domains were identified from 24 known PNG genes, most of which could be classified into a single clan, indicating a single evolutionary source for the majority of the genes. From 153 species, 4491 sequences containing the domains were retrieved, based on which we analyzed distribution of domains among eukaryotic species. Two domains in GnTV are restricted to specific eukaryotic domains, while 10 domains distribute not only in species where certain unique PNG reactions occur and thus genes harboring these domains are supoosed to be present, but in other ehkaryotic lineages. Notably, two domains harbored by β-1,3 galactosyltransferase, an essential enzyme in forming plant-specific Le^a structure, were present in separated genes in fungi and animals, suggesting its emergence as a result of domain shuffling.

Silencing α1,3-fucosyltransferases in human leukocytes reveals a role for FUT9 enzyme during E-selectin-mediated cell adhesion

Leukocyte adhesion during inflammation is initiated by the binding of sialofucosylated carbohydrates expressed on leukocytes to endothelial E/P-selectin. Although the glycosyltransferases (glycoTs) constructing selectin-ligands have largely been identified using knock-out mice, important differences may exist between humans and mice. To address this, we developed a systematic lentivirus-based shRNA delivery workflow to create human leukocytic HL-60 cell lines that lack up to three glycoTs. Using this, the contributions of all three myeloid α1,3-fucosyltransferases (FUT4, FUT7, and FUT9) to selectin-ligand biosynthesis were evaluated. The cell adhesion properties of these modified cells to L-, E-, and P-selectin under hydrodynamic shear were compared with bone marrow-derived neutrophils from Fut4(-/-)Fut7(-/-) dual knock-out mice. Results demonstrate that predominantly FUT7, and to a lesser extent FUT4, forms the selectin-ligand at the N terminus of leukocyte P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) in humans and mice. Here, 85% reduction in leukocyte interaction was observed in human FUT4(-)7(-) dual knockdowns on P/L-selectin substrates. Unlike Fut4(-/-)Fut7(-/-) mouse neutrophils, however, human knockdowns lacking FUT4 and FUT7 only exhibited partial reduction in rolling interaction on E-selectin. In this case, the third α1,3-fucosyltransferase FUT9 played an important role because leukocyte adhesion was reduced by 50-60% in FUT9-HL-60, 70-80% in dual knockdown FUT7(-)9(-) cells, and ∼85% in FUT4(-)7(-)9(-) triple knockdowns. Gene silencing results are in agreement with gain-of-function experiments where all three fucosyltransferases conferred E-selectin-mediated rolling in HEK293T cells. This study advances new tools to study human glycoT function. It suggests a species-specific role for FUT9 during the biosynthesis of human E-selectin ligands.

A chemoenzymatic approach toward the identification of fucosylated glycoproteins and mapping of N-glycan sites

Fucose (Fuc)-containing glycoconjugates play important roles in numerous physiological and pathological processes. Given the biological importance of post-translational glycosylation, a specific and robust strategy for the identification of fucosylated glycoproteins is highly desirable. In this study, we demonstrate an alternative way of labeling of fucosylated structures by metabolic engineering, using a chemoenzymatic approach. In this approach, the activities of Bacteroides fragilis 9343 L-fucokinase/guanosine-5'-diphosphate-Fuc pyrophosphorylase and human α1,3-fucosyltransferase 9 are combined in a Namalwa cellular model. Interestingly, this system could be applied to labeling of alkyne-modified fucosylated glycoproteins. N-Glycan site mapping and identification were done using an in vitro selective chemical ligation reaction and isotope-coded glycosylation site-specific tagging, subsequent to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. This work illustrates the use of a click chemistry-based strategy combined with a glycoproteomic technique to get further insight into the pattern of Fuc-mediated biological processes and functions.

Synthesis of Lewis X epitopes on plant N-glycans

Glycoproteins from tobacco line xFxG1, in which expression of a hybrid beta-(1-->4)-galactosyltransferase (GalT) and a hybrid alpha-(1-->3)-fucosyltransferase IXa (FUT9a) is combined, contained an abundance of hybrid N-glycans with Lewis X (Le(X)) epitopes. A comparison with N-glycan profiles from plants expressing only the hybrid beta-(1-->4)-galactosyltransferase suggested that the fucosylation of the LacNAc residues in line xFxG1 protected galactosylated N-glycans from endogenous plant beta-galactosidase activity.

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of multivalent neoglycoconjugates carrying the helminth glycan antigen LDNF

Several parasitic helminthes, such as the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni, express glycoconjugates that contain terminal GalNAc beta1-4(Fuc alpha1-3)GlcNAc beta-R (LDNF) moieties. These LDNF glycans are dominant antigens of the parasite and are recognized by human dendritic cells via the C-type lectin DC-SIGN. To study the functional role of the LDNF antigen in interaction with the immune system, we have developed an easy chemoenzymatic method to synthesize multivalent neoglycoconjugates carrying defined amounts of LDNF antigens. An acceptor substrate providing a terminal N-acetylglucosamine was prepared by coupling a fluorescent hydrophobic aglycon, 2,6-diaminopyridine (DAP), to N,N'-diacetylchitobiose. By the subsequent action of recombinant Caenorhabditis elegans beta1,4-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase and human alpha1,3-fucosyltransferase VI (FucT-VI), this substrate was converted to the LDNF antigen. We showed that human FucT-VI has a relatively high affinity for the unusual substrate GalNAc beta1-4GlcNAc (LDN), and this enzyme was used to produce micromolar amounts of LDNF-DAP. The synthesized LDNF-DAP was coupled to carrier protein via activation of the DAP moiety by diethyl squarate. By varying the molar glycan:protein ratio, neoglycoconjugates were constructed with defined amounts of LDNF, as was determined by MALDI-TOF analysis and ELISA using an anti-LDNF antibody.

FUT7 antisense sequence inhibits the expression of FUT7/sLeX and adhesion between embryonic and uterine cells

Implantation is a complex developmental event that is initiated by recognition and adhesion of the embryo to the endometrial epithelium. sLeX is an oligosaccharide antigen acting as the ligand of L-selectin, and is stage-specifically expressed in the endometrial epithelium. The adhesion system mediated by L-selectin and sLeX oligosaccharide plays an important role in this process. FUT7 is a key enzyme for sLeX synthesis, and the regulation of sLeX through FUT7 may influence maternal-fetal recognition. In this study, we observed the effect of FUT7 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide on the expression of FUT7 and sLeX, as well as adhesion in an in vitro implantation model consisting of the human uterine epithelial cell line RL95-2 and the human embryonic cell line JAR. Results showed that the expression of FUT7 was significantly decreased, compared with controls, after FUT7 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide transfection into RL95-2 cells, as determined by RT-PCR, Western blotting, and indirect immunofluorescence. Synthesis of sLeX was also decreased, consistent with the FUT7 decrease, as shown by indirect immunofluorescence. The adhesion of embryonic cells to uterine epithelial cells was significantly reduced (P < 0.01) compared with the control. These data indicate that the use of a FUT7 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide can cause a significant reduction of both FUT7 and sLeX antigen, and thereby inhibit the adhesion of embryo cells to endometrium. This approach may provide a new way to regulate reproduction.

Stable expression of an active soluble recombinant form of human fucosyltransferase IX in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cells

A secretory form of human alpha3-fucosyltransferase IX (sFUT9) was overexpressed in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells using the stable expression vector pIB/V5-His-TOPO and the signal sequence of human interleukin 2 for efficient secretion. sFUT9 was active and its three potential N-glycosylation sites were occupied. sFUT9 efficiently fucosylated the type II acceptors Galbeta4GlcNAC-R and Fucalpha2Galbeta4GlcNAc-R (R = (CH2)3NHCO(CH2)5-NH-biotin) but not the corresponding sialylated acceptor, and only very poorly the type I (Galbeta3GlcNAc-R) related acceptors. sFUT9 showed a clear preference for glycoproteins containing type II acceptors, with values of 121, 113 and 110 microU/million cell for asialofetuin, erythropoietin and asialoerythropoietin, respectively, values approximately 11-fold higher than those obtained for the small acceptors.

Increased expression of Lewis X and Y antigens on the cell surface and FUT 4 mRNA during granzyme B-induced Jurkat cell apoptosis

Cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells play key roles in cell-mediated cytotoxicity and can induce apoptosis in virus-infected and malignant cells by releasing cytotoxic granules. In the current study, apoptosis was induced in Jurkat cells, a human T cell line, by delivering granzyme B into the cells using BioPORTER, a cationic lipid formulation. During granzyme B-induced apoptosis, there was an increase in the cell surface expression of Lewis X and Y antigens. To clarify the roles of initiator and executioner caspases in the expression of Lewis X and Y antigens, we treated Jurkat cells with granzyme B in the presence of caspase 3, 8, and 9 inhibitors. The results indicated that delivery of granzyme B into Jurkat cells induces apoptosis by activating caspase 3 and that caspase 3 but not caspase 8 and 9 plays a key role in enhancing the expression of Lewis X and Y antigens. Real-time PCR revealed that expression of the mRNAs for alpha1,3-fucosyltransferases FUT4 was increased at 3 h during granzyme B-induced apoptosis, while FUT9 mRNA expression gradually increased after 12 h. This increased expression of FUT4 mRNA occurred downstream of caspase 3 activation and resulted in the increased cell surface expression of Lewis X and Y antigens.

En bloc duplications, mutation rates, and densities of amino acid changes clarify the evolution of vertebrate alpha-1,3/4-fucosyltransferases

Numerous vertebrates have four alpha-1,3/4-fucosyltransferase genes (FUT9, FUT7, FUT4, and FUT Lewis) belonging to the same family. Until now, studies on the evolution of this family have mainly focused on Lewis genes but how the other alpha-1,3/4-fucosyltransferases have emerged from a common ancestor is not well known. In order to define the respective roles of duplications and mutations, we have compared amino acid sequences representative of bony fish (Takifugu rubripes), amphibians (Xenopus laevis), birds (Gallus gallus), and mammals (Bos taurus). The FUT tree has two fundamental branches, each split into two subfamilies. We found evidence for two duplication events, dated around 710-760 Myr and 590-640 Myr, respectively, compatible with the hypothesis of two rounds of whole genome duplications in chordate genomes, before the emergence of bony vertebrates. Based on the Homo sapiens (human) physical map, we identified blocks of paralogues belonging to regions of FUT9 (6q16), FUT4 (11q21), FUT7 (9q34), and FUT Lewis (19p13) and to a region on HSA1p that is devoid of any FUT. In zebrafish (Danio rerio), an orthologue region of HSA1 harbors an FUT9 specific to bony fish, showing that duplications are not restricted to a single FUT gene but involve blocks of paralogues. In addition, sets of genes within each block clarify the order of duplication events and, as a result, the order of alpha-1,3/4-fucosyltransferase gene emergence. We have also determined the mutation rates and the density of amino acid changes along protein sequences in each alpha-1,3/4-fucosyltransferase subfamily during the main vertebrate transitions. After the emergence of tetrapods, the mutation rate of FUT9 decreased dramatically, suggesting the early acquisition of a crucial fucosyltransferase activity in the first stages of development. The FUT7 mutation rate, which in tetrapod ancestors is about half that in amniote ancestors, may be related to the role of this gene in immune systems. In contrast to other subfamilies, we found a constant mutation rate in FUT Lewis and a rather homogeneous amino acid density change, independently of the vertebrate transition, suggesting that hitherto Lewis epitopes have dispensable functions.

CEACAM1, an adhesion molecule of human granulocytes, is fucosylated by fucosyltransferase IX and interacts with DC-SIGN of dendritic cells via Lewis x residues

The CEA-related cell adhesion molecule 1, CEACAM1, is a glycoprotein expressed on the surface of human granulocytes and lymphocytes, endothelia, and many epithelia. CEACAM1 is involved in the regulation of important biological processes, such as tumor growth, angiogenesis, and modulation of the immune response. CEACAM1, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily carries several Lewis x (Lex) structures as we recently demonstrated by mass spectrometry of native CEACAM1 from human granulocytes. Since Lex residues of pathogens bind to the C-type lectin dendritic cell-specific ICAM-3 grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) expressed on human DCs, we hypothesized that Lex glycans of CEACAM1 are recognized by DC-SIGN. Here, we demonstrate that CEACAM1, the major carrier of Lex residues in human granulocytes, is specifically recognized by DC-SIGN via Lex residues mediating the internalization of CEACAM1 into immature DCs. Expression studies with CEACAM1 in combination with different fucosyltransferases (FUTs) revealed that FUTIX plays a key role in the synthesis of Lex groups of CEACAM1. As Lex groups on CEACAM1 are selectively attached and specifically interact with DC-SIGN, our findings suggest that CEACAM1 participates in immune regulation in physiological conditions and in pathological conditions, such as inflammation, autoimmune disease, and cancer.

Novel Poly-GalNAcβ1–4GlcNAc (LacdiNAc) and Fucosylated Poly-LacdiNAc N-Glycans from Mammalian Cells Expressing β1,4-N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferase and α1,3-Fucosyltransferase

Glycans containing the GalNAcbeta1-4GlcNAc (LacdiNAc or LDN) motif are expressed by many invertebrates, but this motif also occurs in vertebrates and is found on several mammalian glycoprotein hormones. This motif contrasts with the more commonly occurring Galbeta1-4GlcNAc (LacNAc or LN) motif. To better understand LDN biosynthesis and regulation, we stably expressed the cDNA encoding the Caenorhabditis elegans beta1,4-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (GalNAcT), which generates LDN in vitro, in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) Lec8 cells, to establish L8-GalNAcT CHO cells. The glycan structures from these cells were determined by mass spectrometry and linkage analysis. The L8-GalNAcT cell line produces complex-type N-glycans quantitatively bearing LDN structures on their antennae. Unexpectedly, most of these complex-type N-glycans contain novel "poly-LDN" structures consisting of repeating LDN motifs (-3GalNAcbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-)n. These novel structures are in contrast to the well known poly-LN structures consisting of repeating LN motifs (-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-)n. We also stably expressed human alpha1,3-fucosyltransferase IX in the L8-GalNAcT cells to establish a new cell line, L8-GalNAcT-FucT. These cells produce complex-type N-glycans with alpha1,3-fucosylated LDN (LDNF) GalNAcbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAcbeta1-R as well as novel "poly-LDNF" structures (-3GalNAcbeta1-4(Fucalpha 1-3)GlcNAcbeta1-)n. The ability of these cell lines to generate glycoprotein hormones with LDN-containing N-glycans was studied by expressing a recombinant form of the common alpha-subunit in L8-GalNAcT cells. The alpha-subunit N-glycans carried LDN structures, which were further modified by co-expression of the human GalNAc 4-sulfotransferase I, which generates SO4-4GalNAcbeta1-4GlcNAc-R. Thus, the generation of these stable mammalian cells will facilitate future studies on the biological activities and properties of LDN-related structures in glycoproteins.

LEC12 and LEC29 Gain-of-Function Chinese Hamster Ovary Mutants Reveal Mechanisms for Regulating VIM-2 Antigen Synthesis and E-selectin Binding

LEC12 and LEC29 are two gain-of-function Chinese hamster ovary glycosylation mutants that express the Fut9 gene encoding alpha(1,3)fucosyltransferase IX (alpha(1,3) Fuc-TIX). Both mutants express the Lewis X (Le(X)) determinant Galbeta(1,4)[Fucalpha(1,3)]GlcNAc, and LEC12, but not LEC29 cells, also express the VIM-2 antigen SAalpha(2,3)-Galbeta(1,4)GlcNAcbeta(1,3)Galbeta(1,4)[Fucalpha(1,3)]GlcNAc. Here we show that LEC29 cells transfected with a Fut9 cDNA express VIM-2, and thus LEC29 cells synthesize appropriate acceptors to generate the VIM-2 epitope. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR showed that LEC12 has 10- to 20-fold less Fut9 gene transcripts than LEC29. However, Western analysis revealed that LEC12 has approximately 20 times more Fut9 protein than LEC29. The latter finding was consistent with our previous observation that LEC12 has approximately 40 times more in vitro alpha(1,3)Fuc-T activity than LEC29. The basis for the difference in Fut9 protein levels was found to lie in sequence differences in the 5'-untranslated regions (5'-UTR) of LEC12 and LEC29 Fut9 gene transcripts. Whereas reporter assays with the respective 5'-UTR regions linked to luciferase did not indicate a reduced translation efficiency caused by the LEC29 5'-UTR, transfected full-length LEC29 Fut9 cDNA or in vitro-synthesized full-length LEC29 Fut9 RNA gave less Fut9 protein than similar constructs with a LEC12 5'-UTR. This difference appears to be largely responsible for the reduced alpha(1,3)Fuc-TIX activity and lack of VIM-2 expression of LEC29 cells. This could be of physiological relevance, because LEC29 and parent Chinese hamster ovary cells transiently expressing a Fut9 cDNA were able to bind mouse E-selectin, although they did not express sialyl-Le(X).

Normal embryonic and germ cell development in mice lacking alpha 1,3-fucosyltransferase IX (Fut9) which show disappearance of stage-specific embryonic antigen 1

Stage-specific embryonic antigen 1 (SSEA-1), an antigenic epitope defined as a Lewis x carbohydrate structure, is expressed during the 8-cell to blastocyst stages in mouse embryos and in primordial germ cells, undifferentiated embryonic stem cells, and embryonic carcinoma cells. For many years, SSEA-1 has been implicated in the development of mouse embryos as a functional carbohydrate epitope in cell-to-cell interaction during morula compaction. In a previous study, alpha 1,3-fucosyltransferase IX (Fut9) exhibited very strong activity for the synthesis of Lewis x compared to other alpha 1,3-fucosyltransferases in an in vitro substrate specificity assay. Fut4 and Fut9 transcripts were expressed in mouse embryos. The Fut9 transcript was detected in embryonic-day-13.5 gonads containing primordial germ cells, but the Fut4 transcript was not. In order to identify the role of SSEA-1 and determine the key enzyme for SSEA-1 synthesis in vivo, we have generated Fut9-deficient (Fut9(-/-)) mice. Fut9(-/-) mice develop normally, with no gross phenotypic abnormalities, and are fertile. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed an absence of SSEA-1 expression in early embryos and primordial germ cells of Fut9(-/-) mice. Therefore, we conclude that expression of the SSEA-1 epitope in the developing mouse embryo is not essential for embryogenesis in vivo.

Cloning and sequencing of nineteen transcript isoforms of the human alpha2,3-sialyltransferase gene, ST3Gal III; its genomic organisation and expression in human tissues

The recruitment of human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) to sites of infection and inflammation requires the surface expression of Sialyl Lewis x glycoconjugates (SLe(x)) on white blood cells and their interaction with E- and P-selectins on activated endothelial cells. E-selectin has additionally been shown to interact with the sialyl Lewis a (SLe(a)) epitope. Human ST3Gal III codes for an alpha2,3-sialyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of both SLe(a) and SLe(x) epitopes, although the latter with a lower efficiency. We have cloned and sequenced human ST3Gal III gene transcripts from human peripheral blood leukocytes, covering the coding region of this gene. Within our clones we isolated 19 different transcripts with a wide variety of deletions from 45 to 896 nucleotides, and insertions of 26 to 173 nucleotides. Among the insertions we identified two new exons (E3, E6). In order to map and characterise the ST3Gal III gene we used the GenBank database and "computer-cloned" and characterised the genomic organisation of the ST3Gal III gene. The coding sequences of the ST3Gal III gene stretch over a gene sequence of approximately 223 Kb comprised of 15 exons. RT-PCR and laser-induced fluorescent capillary electrophoresis (LIF-CE) were used to examine the expression of this gene in twenty-one human tissues, which showed a highly specific tissue expression pattern. Neural and muscular tissues showed the most complex patterns and were distinctly different from all other tissues examined.