Glycoprotein reglucosylation and nucleotide sugar utilization in the secretory pathway: identification of a nucleoside diphosphatase in the endoplasmic reticulum.

UDP is generated in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as a product of the UDP-glucose-dependent glycoprotein reglucosylation in the calnexin/calreticulin cycle. We describe here the identification, purification and characterization of an ER enzyme that hydrolyzes UDP to UMP. This nucleoside diphosphatase is a ubiquitously expressed, soluble 45 kDa glycoprotein devoid of transmembrane domains and KDEL-related ER localization sequences. It requires divalent cations for activity and hydrolyzes UDP, GDP and IDP but not any other nucleoside di-, mono- or triphosphates, nor thiamine pyrophosphate. By eliminating UDP, which is an inhibitory product of the UDP-Glc:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase, it is likely to promote reglucosylation reactions involved in glycoprotein folding and quality control in the ER.     

Uridine diphosphate-glucose transport into the endoplasmic reticulum of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: in vivo and in vitro evidence

It has been proposed that synthesis of beta-1,6-glucan, one of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall components, is initiated by a uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucose-dependent reaction in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Because this sugar nucleotide is not synthesized in the lumen of the ER, we have examined whether or not UDP-glucose can be transported across the ER membrane. We have detected transport of this sugar nucleotide into the ER in vivo and into ER-containing microsomes in vitro. Experiments with ER-containing microsomes showed that transport of UDP-glucose was temperature dependent and saturable with an apparent Km of 46 microM and a Vmax of 200 pmol/mg protein/3 min. Transport was substrate specific because UDP-N-acetylglucosamine did not enter these vesicles. Demonstration of UDP-glucose transport into the ER lumen in vivo was accomplished by functional expression of Schizosaccharomyces pombe UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase (GT) in S. cerevisiae, which is devoid of this activity. Monoglucosylated protein-linked oligosaccharides were detected in alg6 or alg5 mutant cells, which transfer Man9GlcNAc2 to protein; glucosylation was dependent on the inhibition of glucosidase II or the disruption of the gene encoding this enzyme. Although S. cerevisiae lacks GT, it contains Kre5p, a protein with significant homology and the same size and subcellular location as GT. Deletion mutants, kre5Delta, lack cell wall beta-1,6 glucan and grow very slowly. Expression of S. pombe GT in kre5Delta mutants did not complement the slow-growth phenotype, indicating that both proteins have different functions in spite of their similarities.     

Two homologues encoding human UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase differ in mRNA expression and enzymatic activity

UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase (UGT) is a soluble protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that operates as a gatekeeper for quality control by preventing transport of improperly folded glycoproteins out of the ER. We report the isolation of two cDNAs encoding human UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase homologues. HUGT1 encodes a 1555 amino acid polypeptide that, upon cleavage of an N-terminal signal peptide, is predicted to produce a soluble 173 kDa protein with the ER retrieval signal REEL. HUGT2 encodes a 1516 amino acid polypeptide that also contains a signal peptide and the ER retrieval signal HDEL. HUGT1 shares 55% identity with HUGT2 and 31-45% identity with Drosophila, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Schizosaccharomyces pombe homologues, with most extensive conservation of residues in the carboxy-terminal fifth of the protein, the proposed catalytic domain. HUGT1 is expressed as multiple mRNA species that are induced to similar extents upon disruption of protein folding in the ER. In contrast, HUGT2 is transcribed as a single mRNA species that is not induced under similar conditions. HUGT1 and HUGT2 mRNAs are broadly expressed in multiple tissues and differ slightly in their tissue distribution. The HUGT1 and HUGT2 cDNAs were expressed by transient transfection in COS-1 monkey cells to obtain similar levels of protein localized to the ER. Extracts from HUGT1-transfected cells displayed a 27-fold increase in the transfer of [(14)C]glucose from UDP-[(14)C]glucose to denatured substrates. Despite its high degree of sequence identity with HUGT1, the expressed recombinant HUGT2 protein was not functional under the conditions optimized for HUGT1. Site-directed alanine mutagenesis within a highly conserved region of HUGT1 identified four residues that are essential for catalytic function.     

Uridine diphosphate glucose-sterol glucosyltransferase and nucleoside diphosphatase activities in etiolated pea seedlings.

1. UDP-glucose-sterol glucosyltransferase and nucleoside diphosphatases were isolated in a particulate fraction from 7-day-old etiolated pea seedlings. The glucosyltransferase and UDPase (uridine diphosphatase) are stimulated by Ca2+ cation, less so by Mg2+ cation, and inhibited by Zn2+. 2. Each activity has a pH optimum near 8. 3. The glucosyltransferase is specific for UDP-glucose as the glucosyl donor and is inhibited by UDP. Partial recovery from UDP inhibition is effected by preincubation of the enzyme. 4. Freeze-thaw treatment and subsequent sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation of the particulate fraction shows the glucosyltransferase to be widely distributed among cell fractions but to be most active in particles with a density of 1.15 g/ml. UDPase is most active in particulate material with a density of over 1.18 g/ml but an activity peak also appears at 1.15 g/ml. Of several nucleoside diphosphatase activities, UDPase activity is most enhanced by the freeze-thaw and sucrose-density-gradient-fractionation procedures. 5. Detergent treatment with 0.1% sodium deoxycholate allows the partial solubilization of the glucosyltransferase and UDPase. The two activities are similarly distributed between pellet and supernatant after high-speed centrifugation for two different time intervals. 6. A role for UDPase in the functioning of glucosylation reactions is discussed.     

Ceramide glucosyltransferase of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is involved in oocyte formation and in early embryonic cell division

Ceramide glucosyltransferase (Ugcg) [uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucose:N-acylsphingosine D-glucosyltransferase or UDP-glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase (GlcT): EC 2.4.1.80] catalyzes formation of glucosylceramide (GlcCer) from ceramide and UDP-glucose. There is only one Ugcg gene in the mouse genome, which is essential in embryogenesis and brain development. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has three Ugcg genes (cgt-1, cgt-2 and cgt-3), and double RNAi of the cgt-1 and cgt-3 genes results in lethality at the L1 larval stage. In this study, we isolated knockout worms for the three genes and characterized the gene functions. Each gene product showed active enzymatic activity when expressed in GM95 cells deficient in glycosphingolipids (GSLs). When each gene function was disrupted, the brood size of the animal markedly decreased, and abnormal oocytes and multinucleated embryos were formed. The CGT-3 protein had the highest Ugcg activity, and knockout of its gene resulted in the severest phenotype. When cgt-3 RNAi was performed on rrf-1 worms lacking somatic RNAi machinery but with intact germline RNAi machinery, a number of abnormal oocytes and multinucleated eggs were observed, although the somatic phenotype, i.e., L1 lethal effects of cgt-1/cgt-3 RNAi, was completely suppressed. Cell surface expression of GSLs and sphingomyelin, which are important components of membrane domains, was affected in the RNAi-treated embryos. In the embryos, an abnormality in cytokinesis was also observed. From these results, we concluded that the Ugcg gene is indispensable in the germline and that an ample supply of GlcCer is needed for oocytes and fertilized eggs to maintain normal membranes and to proceed through the normal cell cycle.     

An efficient chemoenzymatic production of small molecule glucosides with in situ UDP-glucose recycling

A one-pot system for efficient enzymatic synthesis of curcumin glucosides is described. The method couples the activities of two recombinant enzymes, UDP-glucose: curcumin glucosyltransferase from Catharanthus roseus (CaUGT2) and sucrose synthase from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtSUS1). UDP, a product inhibitor of UDP-glucosyltransferase, was removed from the system and used for regeneration of UDP-glucose by the second enzyme, AtSUS1. The productivity was increased several-fold and UDP-glucose initially added to the reaction mixture could be reduced to one-tenth of the normal level. The concept of enhancing glucosylation efficiency by coupling a UDP-glucose regeneration system with glucosyltransferases should be applicable to enzymatic production of a wide range of glucosides.     

Purification, cloning, and expression of a pathogen inducible UDP-glucose:Salicylic acid glucosyltransferase from tobacco

Salicylic acid (SA) plays an important role in plant disease resistance. Inoculation of tobacco leaves with incompatible pathogens triggers the biosynthesis of SA which accumulates primarily as the SA 2-O-beta-D-glucoside (SAG) and glucosyl salicylate (GS). The tobacco UDP-glucose:salicylic acid glucosyltransferase (SA GTase) capable of forming both SAG and GS was purified, characterized, and partially sequenced. It has an apparent molecular mass of 48 kDa, a pH optimum of 7.0, and an isoelectric point at pH 4.4. UDP-glucose was the sole sugar donor for the enzyme. However, SA and several phenolics served as glucose acceptors. The apparent K(m) values for UDP-glucose and SA were 0.27 and 1-2 mM, respectively. Zn(2+) and UDP inhibited its activity. The corresponding cDNA clone which encoded a protein of 459 amino acids was isolated from an SA-induced tobacco cDNA library and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein catalyzed the formation of SAG and GS, and exhibited a broad specificity to simple phenolics, similar to that of the purified enzyme. Northern blot analysis showed that the SA GTase mRNA was induced both by SA and incompatible pathogens. The rapid induction timing of the mRNA by SA indicates that it belongs to the early SA response genes.     

The two Caenorhabditis elegans UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase homologues have distinct biological functions

The UDP-Glc:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase (UGGT) is the sensor of glycoprotein conformations in the glycoprotein folding quality control as it exclusively glucosylates glycoproteins not displaying their native conformations. Monoglucosylated glycoproteins thus formed may interact with the lectin-chaperones calnexin (CNX) and calreticulin (CRT). This interaction prevents premature exit of folding intermediates to the Golgi and enhances folding efficiency. Bioinformatic analysis showed that in C. elegans there are two open reading frames (F48E3.3 and F26H9.8 to be referred as uggt-1 and uggt-2, respectively) coding for UGGT homologues. Expression of both genes in Schizosaccharomyces pombe mutants devoid of UGGT activity showed that uggt-1 codes for an active UGGT protein (CeUGGT-1). On the other hand, uggt-2 coded for a protein (CeUGGT-2) apparently not displaying a canonical UGGT activity. This protein was essential for viability, although cnx/crt null worms were viable. We constructed transgenic worms carrying the uggt-1 promoter linked to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) coding sequence and found that CeUGGT-1 is expressed in cells of the nervous system. uggt-1 is upregulated under ER stress through the ire-1 arm of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Real-time PCR analysis showed that both uggt-1 and uggt-2 genes are expressed during the entire C. elegans life cycle. RNAi-mediated depletion of CeUGGT-1 but not of CeUGGT-2 resulted in a reduced lifespan and that of CeUGGT-1 and CeUGGT-2 in a developmental delay. We found that both CeUGGT1 and CeUGGT2 play a protective role under ER stress conditions, since 10 μg/ml tunicamycin arrested development at the L2/L3 stage of both uggt-1(RNAi) and uggt-2(RNAi) but not of control worms. Furthermore, we found that the role of CeUGGT-2 but not CeUGGT-1 is significant in relieving low ER stress levels in the absence of the ire-1 unfolding protein response signaling pathway. Our results indicate that both C. elegans UGGT homologues have distinct biological functions.     

Quantification of uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP)-glucose by high-performance liquid chromatography and its application to a nonradioactive assay for nucleoside diphosphate kinase using UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase as a coupling enzyme

We describe a method for the detection and quantification of nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK). NDPK catalyzes the transfer of the gamma-phosphate of cytidine 5'-triphosphate on uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP) to produce uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP). The method uses a nonradioactive coupled enzyme assay in which UTP produced by NDPK is utilized by UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase. This latter enzyme synthesizes UDP-glucose and inorganic phosphate in the presence of glucose 1-phosphate. UDP-glucose is detected at 260 nm after separation of the reaction mixture by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a strong anion-exchange column. The assay is reliable, specific, and linear with respect to time and enzyme amount. Using 15 min incubation time, the method allows detection of NDPK activity below 10 pmol/min. It can be used to analyze kinetic behavior and to quantify NDPK from a wide variety of animal, microbial, and plant sources. It also provides an alternative to radiometric assays and an improvement on pyruvate kinase-linked spectrophotometric assays, which can be hampered by pigments present in crude extracts. Furthermore, we show that the HPLC method developed here can be directly used to assay enzymes for which UDP-glucose is a product.     

Investigation of sucrose synthase from rice for the synthesis of various nucleotide sugars and saccharides

The unique character of the plant glucosyltransferase sucrosesynthase, to catalyse in vitro the synthesis and cleavage ofsucrose under appropriate conditions, can be exploited for theenzymatic synthesis of carbohydrates. The present paper describesthe potential utilization of sucrose synthase from rice forthe enzymatic synthesis of activated sugars and saccharides.In the cleavage reaction of sucrose, the nucleoside diphosphatescan be used in the order UDP > TDP > ADP > CDP >GDP to obtain the corresponding activated glucoses. In batchreactions, >90% conversion of UDP and TDP could be achieved.Substituting different di- and trisaccharides for sucrose inthe cleavage reaction with UDP 2-deoxysucrose was the most promisingsubstrate. Sucrose synthase was combined with UDP-galactose4'-epimerase and ß1–4 galactosyltransferaseto synthesize N-acetyllactosamine with in situ regenerationof UDP-glucose. In the synthesis reaction of sucrose synthase,different donor (UDP-sugars) and acceptor substrates were investigated.UDP-N-acetylglucosamine and UDP-xylose could be used in combinationwith fructose as acceptor. D-Xylulose, D-tagatose, D-lyxose,D-psicose, L-sorbose, D-mannose, L-arabinose, 1, 6 anhydroglucose,lactulose, raffinose and isomaltulose can serve as acceptorsfor UDP-glucose. N-acetyllactosamine nucleotide sugars saccharides sucrose synthase     

Soluble uridine diphospho-D-glucose: mycosporin glucosyltransferase from spores of Ascochyta fabae Speg.

The enzyme properties of a soluble uridine 5′-diphosphate (UDP) glucose: mycosporin-2 glucosyltransferase from spores of Ascochyta fabae Speg. (Fungi imperfecti) were studied. The optimal conditions for the glucose transfer from UDP-glucose to the mycosporin-2 (the amide form being the best acceptor) were determined; for maximal activity the glucosyltransferase requires a pH of about 8.5 and the presence of divalent cations (Mn²⁺ being more efficient than Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺). The reaction was not reversible in presence of large amounts of UDP.     

Association between the 15-kDa selenoprotein and UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase in the endoplasmic reticulum of mammalian cells

Mammalian selenocysteine-containing proteins characterized with respect to function are involved in redox processes and exhibit distinct expression patterns and cellular locations. A recently identified 15-kDa selenoprotein (Sep15) has no homology to previously characterized proteins, and its function is not known. Here we report the intracellular localization and identification of a binding partner for this selenoprotein which implicate Sep15 in the regulation of protein folding. The native Sep15 isolated from rat prostate and mouse liver occurred in a complex with a 150-kDa protein. The latter protein was identified as UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase (UGTR), the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident protein, which was previously shown to be involved in the quality control of protein folding. UGTR functions by glucosylating misfolded proteins, retaining them in the ER until they are correctly folded or transferring them to degradation pathways. To determine the intracellular localization of Sep15, we expressed a green fluorescent protein-Sep15 fusion protein in CV-1 cells, and this protein was localized to the ER and possibly other perinuclear compartments. We determined that Sep15 contained the N-terminal signal peptide that was essential for translocation and that it was cleaved in the mature protein. However, C-terminal sequences of Sep15 were not involved in trafficking and retention of Sep15. The data suggest that the association between Sep15 and UGTR is responsible for maintaining the selenoprotein in the ER. This report provides the first example of the ER-resident selenoprotein and suggests a possible role of the trace element selenium in the quality control of protein folding.     

An improved radiochemical assay for uridine diphosphoglucose pyrophosphorylase

UDP glucose is an important intermediate in numerous metabolic pathways (1). It is therefore not surprising that the enzyme which catalyses its formation, UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase is ubiquitous (see (2) for references). The reaction catalysed by UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase is:

$\text{glucose-1}\text{-P +}\text{UTP ? UDP glucose + PPi}$

and the enzyme has been assayed either in the direction of pyrophosphorolysis of the nucleoside diphosphate sugar or in the direction of UDP-glucose formation.Spectrophotometric assays of UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase in the direction of pyrophosphorolysis are often nonspecific by virtue of the nature of the coupling enzymes (3), whereas similar assays in the direction of UDPG formation may lack the expected stoichiometry of reaction (3,4). Radioisotopic techniques for the assay of UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (5,6) are to be preferred to spectrophotometric assays both for their increased sensitivity and specificity. However, these methods depend upon the specific isolation of the radioactive UDP glucose formed, either by a somewhat tedious adsorption to and elution from charcoal (5) or a hazardous precipitation using mercuric acetate. For routine assay of a large number of samples it would be advantageous to replace these techniques with one involving a safer, more rapid method of radioactive UDP-glucose isolation. The radiochemical assay described in this note utilises the binding of UDP glucose to commercially available, anion-exchange filter-paper discs for this purpose. Although the technique was designed to assay UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase in cell extracts of the cellular slime mould, Dictyostelium discoideum, it should be applicable to most sources of the enzyme.     

Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum functions take place in different subcellular compartments of Entamoeba histolytica

Entamoeba histolytica is a protozoan parasite that causes dysentery in developing countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The lack of a defined Golgi apparatus in E. histolytica as well as in other protists led to the hypothesis that they had evolved prior to the acquisition of such organelle even though glycoproteins, glycolipids, and antigens have been detected, the latter of which react with antibodies against Golgi apparatus proteins of higher eukaryotes. We here provide direct evidence for Golgi apparatus-like functions in E. histolytica as well as for components of glycoprotein folding quality control. Using a combination of bioinformatic, cell biological, and biochemical approaches we have (a) cloned and expressed the E. histolytica UDP-galactose transporter in Saccharomyces cerevisiae; its K(m) for UDP-galactose is 2.9 microm; (b) characterized vesicles in an extract of the above protist, which transport UDP-galactose into their lumen with a K(m) of 2.7 microm;(c) detected galactosyltransferase activity(ies) in the lumen of the above vesicles with the K(m) for UDP-galactose, using endogenous acceptors, being 93 microm;(d) measured latent apyrase activities in the above vesicles, suggesting they are in the lumen; (e) characterized UDP-glucose transport activities in Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum-like vesicles with K(m)s for UDP-glucose of approximately 2-4 microm. Although the endoplasmic reticulum-like fraction showed UDP-glucose: glycoprotein glucosyltransferase activity, the Golgi apparatus-like fraction did not. This fraction contained other glucosyltransferases. Together, these studies demonstrate that E. histolytica has different vesicles that play a role in protein glycosylation and folding quality control, analogous to the above organellar functions of higher eukaryotes.     

Organizational diversity among distinct glycoprotein endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation programs

Protein folding and quality control in the early secretory pathway function as posttranslational checkpoints in eukaryote gene expression. Herein, an aberrant form of the hepatic secretory protein alpha1-antitrypsin was stably expressed in a human embryonic kidney cell line to elucidate the mechanisms by which glycoprotein endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (GERAD) is administered in cells from higher eukaryotes. After biosynthesis, genetic variant PI Z underwent alternative phases of secretion and degradation, the latter of which was mediated by the proteasome. Degradation required release from calnexin- and asparagine-linked oligosaccharide modification by endoplasmic reticulum mannosidase I, the latter of which occurred as PI Z was bound to the molecular chaperone grp78/BiP. That a distinct GERAD program operates in human embryonic kidney cells was supported by the extent of PI Z secretion, apparent lack of polymerization, inability of calnexin to participate in the degradation process, and sequestration of the glycoprotein folding sensor UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase in the Golgi complex. Because UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase sustains calnexin binding, its altered distribution is consistent with a GERAD program that hinders the reentry of substrates into the calnexin cycle, allowing grp78/BiP to partner with a lectin, other than calnexin, in the recognition of a two-component GERAD signal to facilitate substrate recruitment. How the processing of a mutant protein, rather than the mutation itself, can contribute to disease pathogenesis, is discussed.