Substitutions in the N-glycan core as regulators of biorecognition: the case of core-fucose and bisecting GlcNAc moieties

Core fucosylation and the bisecting N-acetylglucosamine residue are prominent natural substitutions of the N-glycan core. To address the issue of whether these two substituents can modulate ligand properties of complex-type biantennary N-glycans, we performed chemoenzymatic synthesis of the respective galactosylated and alpha2,3/6-sialylated N-glycans. Neoglycoproteins were then produced to determine these glycans' reactivities with sugar receptors in solid-phase assays and with tumor cells in vitro as well as their in vivo biodistribution profiles in mice. Slight protein-type-dependent changes were noted in lectin binding, including adhesion/growth-regulatory galectins as study objects, when the data were related to properties of N-glycans without or with only one core substituent. Monitoring binding in vitro revealed cell-type-dependent changes. They delimited the ligand activity of this glycan type from that of chains with un- and monosubstituted cores. A markedly prolonged serum half-life was conferred to the neoglycoprotein by the galactose-terminated N-glycan, which together with increased organ retention of all three neoglycoproteins underscores the conspicuous relevance for glycoengineering of pharmaproteins. The predominant presentation of the two branches in the disubstituted N-glycan as extended (alpha1,3-antenna) and backfolded (alpha1,6-antenna) forms, revealed by molecular dynamics simulations, can underlie the measured characteristics. These results obtained by a combined strategy further support the concept of viewing N-glycan core substitutions as non-random additions which exert a modulatory role on ligand properties. Moreover, our data inspire us to devise new, non-natural modifications to realize the full potential of glycoengineering for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.     

Preparation and biological activities of anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies with fully core-fucosylated homogeneous bi-antennary complex-type glycans

Recently, the absence of a core-fucose residue in the N-glycan has been implicated to be important for enhancing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity of immunoglobulin G monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Here, we first prepared anti-HER2 mAbs having two core-fucosylated N-glycan chains with the single G2F, G1aF, G1bF, or G0F structure, together with those having two N-glycan chains with a single non-core-fucosylated corresponding structure for comparison, and determined their biological activities. Dissociation constants of mAbs with core-fucosylated N-glycans bound to recombinant Fcγ-receptor type IIIa variant were 10 times higher than those with the non-core-fucosylated N-glycans, regardless of core glycan structures. mAbs with the core-fucosylated N-glycans had markedly reduced ADCC activities, while those with the non-core-fucosylated N-glycans had high activities. These results indicate that the presence of a core-fucose residue in the N-glycan suppresses the binding to the Fc-receptor and the induction of ADCC of anti-HER2 mAbs.     

Determination of modulation of ligand properties of synthetic complex-type biantennary N-glycans by introduction of bisecting GlcNAc in silico, in vitro and in vivo.

We have investigated the consequences of introducing a bisecting GlcNAc moiety into biantennary N-glycans. Computational analysis of glycan conformation with prolonged simulation periods in vacuo and in a solvent box revealed two main effects: backfolding of the alpha1-6 arm and stacking of the bisecting GlcNAc and the neighboring Man/GlcNAc residues of both antennae. Chemoenzymatic synthesis produced the bisecting biantennary decasaccharide N-glycan and its alpha2-3(6)-sialylated variants. They were conjugated to BSA to probe the ligand properties of N-glycans with bisecting GlcNAc. To assess affinity alterations in glycan binding to receptors, testing was performed with purified lectins, cultured cells, tissue sections and animals. The panel of lectins, including an adhesion/growth-regulatory galectin, revealed up to a sixfold difference in affinity constants for these neoglycoproteins relative to data on the unsubstituted glycans reported previously [André, S., Unverzagt, C., Kojima, S., Dong, X., Fink, C., Kayser, K. & Gabius, H.-J. (1997) Bioconjugate Chem. 8, 845-855]. The enhanced affinity for galectin-1 is in accord with the increased percentage of cell positivity in cytofluorimetric and histochemical analysis of carbohydrate-dependent binding of labeled neoglycoproteins to cultured tumor cells and routinely processed lung cancer sections. Intravenous injection of iodinated neoglycoproteins carrying galactose-terminated N-glycans into mice revealed the highest uptake in liver and spleen for the bisecting compound compared with the unsubstituted or core-fucosylated N-glycans. Thus, this substitution modulates ligand properties in interactions with lectins, a key finding of this report. Synthetic glycan tailoring provides a versatile approach to the preparation of newly substituted glycans with favorable ligand properties for medical applications.     

Oligosaccharide preferences of beta1,4-galactosyltransferase-I: crystal structures of Met340His mutant of human beta1,4-galactosyltransferase-I with a pentasaccharide and trisaccharides of the N-glycan moiety

beta-1,4-Galactosyltransferase-I (beta4Gal-T1) transfers galactose from UDP-galactose to N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residues of the branched N-linked oligosaccharide chains of glycoproteins. In an N-linked biantennary oligosaccharide chain, one antenna is attached to the 3-hydroxyl-(1,3-arm), and the other to the 6-hydroxyl-(1,6-arm) group of mannose, which is beta-1,4-linked to an N-linked chitobiose, attached to the aspargine residue of a protein. For a better understanding of the branch specificity of beta4Gal-T1 towards the GlcNAc residues of N-glycans, we have carried out kinetic and crystallographic studies with the wild-type human beta4Gal-T1 (h-beta4Gal-T1) and the mutant Met340His-beta4Gal-T1 (h-M340H-beta4Gal-T1) in complex with a GlcNAc-containing pentasaccharide and several GlcNAc-containing trisaccharides present in N-glycans. The oligosaccharides used were: pentasaccharide GlcNAcbeta1,2-Manalpha1,6 (GlcNAcbeta1,2-Manalpha1,3)Man; the 1,6-arm trisaccharide, GlcNAcbeta1,2-Manalpha1,6-Manbeta-OR (1,2-1,6-arm); the 1,3-arm trisaccharides, GlcNAcbeta1,2-Manalpha1,3-Manbeta-OR (1,2-1,3-arm) and GlcNAcbeta1,4-Manalpha1,3-Manbeta-OR (1,4-1,3-arm); and the trisaccharide GlcNAcbeta1,4-GlcNAcbeta1,4-GlcNAc (chitotriose). With the wild-type h-beta4Gal-T1, the K(m) of 1,2-1,6-arm is approximately tenfold lower than for 1,2-1,3-arm and 1,4-1,3-arm, and 22-fold lower than for chitotriose. Crystal structures of h-M340H-beta4Gal-T1 in complex with the pentasaccharide and various trisaccharides at 1.9-2.0A resolution showed that beta4Gal-T1 is in a closed conformation with the oligosaccharide bound to the enzyme, and the 1,2-1,6-arm trisaccharide makes the maximum number of interactions with the enzyme, which is in concurrence with the lowest K(m) for the trisaccharide. Present studies suggest that beta4Gal-T1 interacts preferentially with the 1,2-1,6-arm trisaccharide rather than with the 1,2-1,3-arm or 1,4-1,3-arm of a bi- or tri-antennary oligosaccharide chain of N-glycan.     

Purification, characterization, and cloning of a Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase that hydrolyzes terminal N-acetylglucosamine on the N-glycan core

Paucimannosidic glycans are often predominant in N-glycans produced by insect cells. However, a beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase responsible for the generation of paucimannosidic glycans in lepidopteran insect cells has not been identified. We report the purification of a beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase from the culture medium of Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cells (Sfhex). The purified Sfhex protein showed 10 times higher activity for a terminal N-acetylglucosamine on the N-glycan core compared with tri-N-acetylchitotriose. Sfhex was found to be a homodimer of 110 kDa in solution, with a pH optimum of 5.5. With a biantennary N-glycan substrate, it exhibited a 5-fold preference for removal of the beta(1,2)-linked N-acetylglucosamine from the Man alpha(1,3) branch compared with the Man alpha(1,6) branch. We isolated two corresponding cDNA clones for Sfhex that encode proteins with >99% amino acid identity. A phylogenetic analysis suggested that Sfhex is an ortholog of mammalian lysosomal beta-N-acetylhexosaminidases. Recombinant Sfhex expressed in Sf9 cells exhibited the same substrate specificity and pH optimum as the purified enzyme. Although a larger amount of newly synthesized Sfhex was secreted into the culture medium by Sf9 cells, a significant amount of Sfhex was also found to be intracellular. Under a confocal microscope, cellular Sfhex exhibited punctate staining throughout the cytoplasm, but did not colocalize with a Golgi marker. Because secretory glycoproteins and Sfhex are cotransported through the same secretory pathway and because Sfhex is active at the pH of the secretory compartments, this study suggests that Sfhex may play a role as a processing beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase acting on N-glycans from Sf9 cells.     

Galactosylated Fucose Epitopes in Nematodes: INCREASED EXPRESSION IN A CAENORHABDITIS MUTANT ASSOCIATED WITH ALTERED LECTIN SENSITIVITY AND OCCURRENCE IN PARASITIC SPECIES

The modification of α1,6-linked fucose residues attached to the proximal (reducing-terminal) core N-acetylglucosamine residue of N-glycans by β1,4-linked galactose ("GalFuc" epitope) is a feature of a number of invertebrate species including the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. A pre-requisite for both core α1,6-fucosylation and β1,4-galactosylation is the presence of a nonreducing terminal N-acetylglucosamine; however, this residue is normally absent from the final glycan structure in invertebrates due to the action of specific hexosaminidases. Previously, we have identified two hexosaminidases (HEX-2 and HEX-3) in C. elegans, which process N-glycans. In the present study, we have prepared a hex-2;hex-3 double mutant, which possesses a radically altered N-glycomic profile. Whereas in the double mutant core α1,3-fucosylation of the proximal N-acetylglucosamine was abolished, the degree of galactosylation of core α1,6-fucose increased, and a novel Galα1,2Fucα1,3 moiety attached to the distal core N-acetylglucosamine residue was detected. Both galactosylated fucose moieties were also found in two parasitic nematodes, Ascaris suum and Oesophagostomum dentatum. As core modifications of N-glycans are known targets for fungal nematotoxic lectins, the sensitivity of the C. elegans double hexosaminidase mutant was assessed. Although this mutant displayed hypersensitivity to the GalFuc-binding lectin CGL2 and the N-acetylglucosamine-binding lectin XCL, the mutant was resistant to CCL2, which binds core α1,3-fucose. Thus, the use of C. elegans mutants aids the identification of novel N-glycan modifications and the definition of in vivo specificities of nematotoxic lectins with potential as anthelmintic agents.     

Branching mode in complex-type triantennary N-glycans as regulatory element of their ligand properties

We address the question whether the two natural types of branching in complex-type triantennary N-glycans differ in ligand properties. Toward this end, we prepared the set of pergalactosylated undecasaccharides and derivatives with alpha2,3/6-sialylation by chemoenzymatic synthesis. Conjugation resulted in neoglycoproteins which were tested in assays with lectins/antibodies, cultured cells and animals. Solid-phase assays with galactoside-specific proteins (a plant toxin, galectins and an antibody fraction) disclosed that the branching mode did not significantly affect affinity. However, compared to previous studies under identical conditions increase in antennae number and presence of substitutions in biantennary N-glycans altered KD-values with differences between receptors. Neoglycoprotein binding to cells of eight human tumor lines was sensitive to N-glycan branching. Staining intensity revealed pronounced branch-mode-dependent differences in four cases. Biodistribution profiles in mice uncovered dramatic changes in clearance rates with prolonged serum presence associated with type II branching of sialylated N-glycans and markedly increased uptake of neoglycoproteins with type I-branched N-glycans into liver, spleen, heart and lungs. This part of the study is relevant for rational glycoengineering of pharmaproteins. In general, our study supports the concept to view details of N-glycan structure, here branching, as a means to modulate ligand properties.     

The bisecting GlcNAc in cell growth control and tumor progression

The bisecting GlcNAc is transferred to the core mannose residue of complex or hybrid N-glycans on glycoproteins by the β1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GlcNAcT-III) or MGAT3. The addition of the bisecting GlcNAc confers unique lectin recognition properties to N-glycans. Thus, LEC10 gain-of-function Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells selected for the acquisition of ricin resistance, carry N-glycans with a bisecting GlcNAc, which enhances the binding of the erythroagglutinin E-PHA, but reduces the binding of ricin and galectins-1, -3 and -8. The altered interaction with galactose-binding lectins suggests that the bisecting GlcNAc affects N-glycan conformation. LEC10 mutants expressing polyoma middle T antigen (PyMT) exhibit reduced growth factor signaling. Furthermore, PyMT-induced mammary tumors lacking MGAT3, progress more rapidly than tumors with the bisecting GlcNAc on N-glycans of cell surface glycoproteins. In recent years, evidence for a new paradigm of cell growth control has emerged involving regulation of cell surface residency of growth factor and cytokine receptors via interactions and cross-linking of their branched N-glycans with a lattice of galectin(s). Specific cross-linking of glycoprotein receptors in the lattice regulates their endocytosis, leading to effects on growth factor-induced signaling. This review will describe evidence that the bisecting GlcNAc of N-glycans regulates cellular signaling and tumor progression, apparently through modulating N-glycan/galectin interactions.     

Identification of core alpha 1,3-fucosylated glycans and cloning of the requisite fucosyltransferase cDNA from Drosophila melanogaster. Potential basis of the neural anti-horseadish peroxidase epitope

For many years, polyclonal antibodies raised against the plant glycoprotein horseradish peroxidase have been used to specifically stain the neural and male reproductive tissue of Drosophila melanogaster. This epitope is considered to be of carbohydrate origin, but no glycan structure from Drosophila has yet been isolated that could account for this cross-reactivity. Here we report that N-glycan core alpha1,3-linked fucose is, as judged by preabsorption experiments, indispensable for recognition of Drosophila embryonic nervous system by anti-horseradish peroxidase antibody. Further, we describe the identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography of two Drosophila N-glycans that, as already detected in other insects, carry both alpha1,3- and alpha1,6-linked fucose residues on the proximal core GlcNAc. Moreover, we have isolated three cDNAs encoding alpha1,3-fucosyltransferase homologues from Drosophila. One of the cDNAs, when transformed into Pichia pastoris, was found to direct expression of core alpha1,3-fucosyltransferase activity. This recombinant enzyme preferred as substrate a biantennary core alpha1,6-fucosylated N-glycan carrying two non-reducing N-acetylglucosamine residues (GnGnF6; Km 11 microm) over the same structure lacking a core fucose residue (GnGn; Km 46 microm). The Drosophila core alpha1,3-fucosyltransferase enzyme was also shown to be able to fucosylate N-glycan structures of human transferrin in vitro, this modification correlating with the acquisition of binding to anti-horseradish peroxidase antibody.     

Sialylation of N-glycans on the recombinant proteins expressed by a baculovirus-insect cell system under beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase inhibition.

We investigated the ability of a baculovirus-insect cell system to produce sialylated glycoproteins. Despite the presence of enzymes for synthesizing complex-type N-glycans, the most frequent structure of insect N-glycan is the paucimannosidic type, Man(3)GlcNAc(2)(+/-Fuc). The reason for the overwhelming assembly of paucimannosidic N-glycans is not yet well understood. We hypothesized that this predominance might be due to insect-specific, Golgi-associated beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (GlcNAcase)-mediated removal of N-acetylglucosamine residues from the precursor N-glycan, thereby preventing its galactosylation and terminal sialylation. As we expected, the suppression of intrinsic GlcNAcase activity with a specific inhibitor, 2-acetamido-1,2-dideoxynojirimycin, allowed the accumulation of sialylated glycoproteins in the supernatants of insect cell cultures after baculoviral infection. Our observation indicates that GlcNAcase-dependent depletion of N-acetylglucosamine residues from intermediate N-glycans is critical for the assembly of paucimannosidic N-glycans in insect cells and, more importantly, that insect cells (under specific conditions) retain the ability to construct sialylated N-glycans like those in mammalian cells.     

Analysis of N-glycan in serum glycoproteins from db/db mice and humans with type 2 diabetes

Glycosylation has an important role in regulating properties of proteins and is associated with many diseases. To examine the alteration of serum N-glycans in type 2 diabetes, we used the db/db mouse model. Serum N-glycans were fluorescence labeled and applied to HPLC. There were reproducible differences in N-glycan profiles between the db/db mouse model and the db/+ control. The structures of the oligosaccharides, which had changed in their amounts, were analyzed by a two-dimensional mapping method, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and exoglycosidase digestion. Those analyses revealed an increase in the N-glycans possessing alpha1,6-fucose in the serum of db/db mice. The level of alpha1,6-fucosyltransferase mRNA was increased in the liver of the db/db mice. The ratio of a biantennary N-glycan with alpha1,6-fucose to that without alpha1,6-fucose in the liver tissue of the db/db mouse was increased relative to the db/+ control. Next, we analyzed the serum N-glycan profile in human subjects with type 2 diabetes and found an increased amount of a biantennary N-glycan that had an alpha1,6-fucose with a bisecting N-acetylglucosamine. In conclusion, the increase in alpha1,6-fucosylation is a striking change in the serum N-glycans of the db/db mice, whereas the change in the fucosylation in humans with type 2 diabetes was small, albeit statistically significant. It is likely that the change is caused, at least partially, by the increase in the alpha1,6-fucosyltransferase mRNA level in the liver. The increased alpha1,6-fucosylation may affect protein properties associated with the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes.     

Unique Asn-linked oligosaccharides of the human pathogen Entamoeba histolytica

N-Glycans of Entamoeba histolytica, the protist that causes amebic dysentery and liver abscess, are of great interest for multiple reasons. E. histolytica makes an unusual truncated N-glycan precursor (Man(5)GlcNAc(2)), has few nucleotide sugar transporters, and has a surface that is capped by the lectin concanavalin A. Here, biochemical and mass spectrometric methods were used to examine N-glycan biosynthesis and the final N-glycans of E. histolytica with the following conclusions. Unprocessed Man(5)GlcNAc(2), which is the most abundant E. histolytica N-glycan, is aggregated into caps on the surface of E. histolytica by the N-glycan-specific, anti-retroviral lectin cyanovirin-N. Glc(1)Man(5)GlcNAc(2), which is made by a UDP-Glc: glycoprotein glucosyltransferase that is part of a conserved N-glycan-dependent endoplasmic reticulum quality control system for protein folding, is also present in mature N-glycans. A swainsonine-sensitive alpha-mannosidase trims some N-glycans to biantennary Man(3)GlcNAc(2). Complex N-glycans of E. histolytica are made by the addition of alpha1,2-linked Gal to both arms of small oligomannose glycans, and Gal residues are capped by one or more Glc. In summary, E. histolytica N-glycans include unprocessed Man(5)GlcNAc(2), which is a target for cyanovirin-N, as well as unique, complex N-glycans containing Gal and Glc.     

Engineering the protein N-glycosylation pathway in insect cells for production of biantennary,complex N-glycans

Insect cells, like other eucaryotic cells, modify many of their proteins by N-glycosylation. However, the endogenous insect cell N-glycan processing machinery generally does not produce complex, terminally sialylated N-glycans such as those found in mammalian systems. This difference in the N-glycan processing pathways of insect cells and higher eucaryotes imposes a significant limitation on their use as hosts for baculovirus-mediated recombinant glycoprotein production. To address this problem, we previously isolated two transgenic insect cell lines that have mammalian beta1,4-galactosyltransferase or beta1,4-galactosyltransferase and alpha2,6-sialyltransferase genes. Unlike the parental insect cell line, both transgenic cell lines expressed the mammalian glycosyltransferases and were able to produce terminally galactosylated or sialylated N-glycans. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the structures of the N-glycans produced by these transgenic insect cell lines in further detail. Direct structural analyses revealed that the most extensively processed N-glycans produced by the transgenic insect cell lines were novel, monoantennary structures with elongation of only the alpha1,3 branch. This led to the hypothesis that the transgenic insect cell lines lacked adequate endogenous N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II activity for biantennary N-glycan production. To test this hypothesis and further extend the N-glycan processing pathway in Sf9 cells, we produced a new transgenic line designed to constitutively express a more complete array of mammalian glycosyltransferases, including N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II. This new transgenic insect cell line, designated SfSWT-1, has higher levels of five glycosyltransferase activities than the parental cells and supports baculovirus replication at normal levels. In addition, direct structural analyses showed that SfSWT-1 cells could produce biantennary, terminally sialylated N-glycans. Thus, this study provides new insight on the glycobiology of insect cells and describes a new transgenic insect cell line that will be widely useful for the production of more authentic recombinant glycoproteins by baculovirus expression vectors.     

Unraveling unique structure and biosynthesis pathway of N-linked glycans in human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans by glycomics analysis

The encapsulated fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans causes cryptococcosis in immunocompromised individuals. Although cell surface mannoproteins have been implicated in C. neoformans pathogenicity, the structure of N-linked glycans assembled on mannoproteins has not yet been elucidated. By analyzing oligosaccharide profiles combined with exoglycosidase treatment, we report here that C. neoformans has serotype-specific high mannose-type N-glycans with or without a β1,2-xylose residue, which is attached to the trimannosyl core of N-glycans. Interestingly, the neutral N-glycans of serotypes A and D were shown to contain a xylose residue, whereas those of serotype B appeared to be much shorter and devoid of a xylose residue. Moreover, analysis of the C. neoformans uxs1Δ mutant demonstrated that UDP-xylose is utilized as a donor sugar in N-glycan biosynthesis. We also constructed and analyzed a set of C. neoformans mutant strains lacking genes putatively assigned to the reconstructed N-glycan biosynthesis pathway. It was shown that the outer chain of N-glycan is initiated by CnOch1p with addition of an α1,6-mannose residue and then subsequently extended by CnMnn2p with multiple additions of α1,2-mannose residues. Finally, comparative analysis of acidic N-glycans from wild-type, Cnoch1Δ, Cnmnn2Δ, and Cnuxs1Δ strains strongly indicated the presence of xylose phosphate attached to mannose residues in the core and outer region of N-glycans. Our data present the first report on the unique structure and biosynthesis pathway of N-glycans in C. neoformans.     

Metabolic control of recombinant monoclonal antibody N-glycosylation in GS-NS0 cells

Variable N-glycosylation at Asn(297) in the Fc region of recombinant therapeutic immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecules, specifically terminal galactosylation and sialylation, may affect both pharmacokinetic behavior and effector functions of recombinant therapeutic antibodies. We investigated the hypothesis that IgG Fc glycosylation can be controlled by manipulation of cellular nucleotide-sugar metabolism. In control cultures, N-glycans associated with the Fc domain of a recombinant humanized IgG1 produced by GS-NS0 cells in culture were predominantly biantennary, variably beta-galactosylated (average 0.3 mol galactose complex N-glycan(-1)) structures with no bisecting N-acetylglucosamine residues, sialylation, or alpha1,3-linked galactosylation evident. However, a variable proportion (5% to 15%) of high-mannose (Man5 to Man9) oligosaccharides were present. To manipulate the cellular content of the nucleotide sugar precursor required for galactosylation, UDP-Gal, we included either 10 mM glucosamine or 10 mM galactose in the culture medium. In the case of the former, a 17-fold increase in cellular UDP-N-acetylhexosamine content was observed, with a concomitant reduction (33%) in total UDP-hexose, although the ratio of UDP-Glc:UDP-Gal (4:1) was unchanged. Associated with these alterations in cellular UDP-sugar content was a significant reduction (57%) in the galactosylation of Fc-derived oligosaccharides. The proportion of high-mannose-type N-glycans (specifically Man5, the substrate for N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I) at Asn(297) was unaffected. In contrast, inclusion of 10 mM galactose in culture specifically stimulated UDP-Gal content almost five-fold. However, this resulted in only a minimal, insignificant increase (6%) in beta1,4-galactosylation of Fc N-glycans. Sialylation was not improved upon the addition of the CMP-sialic acid (CMP-SA) precursor N-acetylmannosamine (20 mM), even with an associated 44-fold increase in cellular CMP-SA content. Analysis of recombinant IgG1 Fc glycosylation during batch culture showed that beta1,4-linked galactosylation declined slightly during culture, although, in the latter stages of culture, the release of proteases and glycosidases by lysed cells were likely to have contributed to the more dramatic drop in galactosylation. These data demonstrate: (i) the effect of steric hindrance on Fc N-glycan processing; (ii) the extent to which alterations in cellular nucleotide-sugar content may affect Fc N-glycan processing; and (iii) the potential for direct metabolic control of Fc N-glycosylation.     

佛波酯能改变细胞表面糖蛋白N－糖链的结构

利用标记Ｎ－糖链的凝集素亲和层析法研究了佛波醇肉桂酸乙酸酯（ＰＭＡ）对人肝癌细胞ＳＭＭＣ－７７２１表面糖蛋白上Ｎ－糖链结构的影响,发现１００ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ的ＰＭＡ处理５天后,可使细胞表面Ｎ－糖链中高甘露糖型和杂合型以及四天线、Ｃ２Ｃ２,６三天线复杂型的比例增高,而二天线复杂型降低。此结果与我们曾报道的视黄酸（ＲＡ）和双丁配环磷酸腺苷（ｄｂ－ｃＡＭＰ）对该细胞表面Ｎ－糖链的影响相反。因ＲＡ和ｄｂ－ｃＡＭＰ是ＳＭＭＣ－７７２１细胞的分化诱导剂,可抑制细胞生长;而ＰＭＡ是该细胞的增殖促进剂,故细胞表面Ｎ－糖链的变化与细胞的分化和增殖密切相关。     

A dominant mutation to ricin resistance in Chinese hamster ovary cells induces UDP-GlcNAc:glycopeptide beta-4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III activity

A biochemical basis for the LEC10 mutant phenotype of Chinese hamster ovary cells has been identified. Independent LEC10 mutants, originally selected for resistance to the toxicity of ricin, have been shown to exhibit reduced binding of 125I-ricin at the cell surface. Although this is indicative of structural changes in cell-surface carbohydrates, labeling of plasma membranes with galactose oxidase/[3H]borohydride revealed no significant differences between mutant and parental cells. Alterations in the carbohydrates synthesized by LEC10 cells were, however, resolved by lectin-affinity chromatography of glycopeptides from the G glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) grown in LEC10. LEC10/VSV glycopeptides contain a fraction which is not bound to concanavalin A-Sepharose but is strongly retarded on E-PHA (erythroagglutinin from Proteus vulgaris)-agarose. In contrast, CHO/VSV glycopeptides or those from a LEC 10 revertant (R.LEC 10/VSV) do not contain carbohydrates with these properties. High-field 1H NMR spectroscopy of the novel LEC10/VSV carbohydrates showed that they are complex, biantennary structures containing N-acetylglucosamine in beta(1,4)-linkage to the beta-linked core mannose residue. The presence of these structures correlates with the expression of the enzyme responsible for the addition of this "bisecting" GlcNAc residue, UDP-GlcNAc:glycopeptide beta-4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GlcNAc-TIII). Parental Chinese hamster ovary cells and the LEC10 revertant possess no detectable GlcNAc-TIII activity. The combined evidence suggests that the LEC10 mutation induces the expression of the GlcNAc-TIII enzyme in Chinese hamster ovary cells.     

Knockdown of Mgat5 inhibits breast cancer cell growth with activation of CD4+ T cells and macrophages

N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (Mgat5 or GnT-V) is an enzyme that catalyzes beta1-6 branching of N-acetylglucosamine on asparagine (N)-linked oligosaccharides (N-glycan) of cell proteins. The levels of Mgat5 glycan products commonly are increased in malignancies. Although Mgat5 is known to be important in tumor metastases, the effects of Mgat5 on host immune responses are not fully defined. In this study, a Mgat5 specific-short hairpin RNA (shRNA) vector was transfected into murine mammary adenocarcinoma MA782 cells to assess the effects of Mgat5 on tumor cell growth, T cells, and macrophages following inoculation of mice with shRNA-transfected cancer cells. The results showed that blocking expression of Mgat5-modified glycans in MA782 cells significantly suppressed tumor progression both in vivo and in vitro, strongly stimulated Th1 cytokine production, and enhanced opsonophagocytic capability of macrophages in vivo. Importantly, reduction of complex N-glycans on MA782 tumor cells by Mgat5-shRNA resulted in significantly increased proliferation and CD45 surface expression of CD4+ T cells. Our data suggest Mgat5-shRNA could serve as a useful tool to treat breast cancer as well as a powerful tool for the functional investigation of N-glycans and glycoprotein synthesis. Our data suggest that knockdown of Mgat5 inhibits breast cancer cells' growth with activation of CD4+ T cells and macrophages.     

Purification and characterization of a beta-xylosidase from potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)

Potatoes are a cheap and easily available source for the preparation of beta 1,2-xylosidase. The soluble enzyme was purified from potato tubers by ammonium sulfate precipitation, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, affinity gel blue chromatography, ion exchange and size exclusion chromatography yielding a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 39-40 kDa, an isoelectric point of 5.1 and a typical plant N-glycosylation pattern. The enzyme releases xylose residues beta1,2-linked to the beta-mannose of an N-glycan core, if the 3-position of this mannose is not occupied. It showed an optimal enzymatic activity at pH 4.0-4.5 and at a temperature of 50 degrees C. The activity was reduced in the presence of Ni(2+) and Cu (2+) and slightly increased by the addition of Mn(2+) or Ca(2+). At 37 degrees C the cleavage of xylose from p-nitrophenyl-beta-xylopyranoside or appropriate pyridylaminated N-glycans was proportional to the time of incubation over a period of 8 h and increased with time for at least 24 h. N-Methoxycarbonylpentyl-1,5-dideoxy-1,5-iminoxylitol inhibits the enzyme effectively. Sequencing of the N-terminus showed a high homology to a number of isoforms of patatin, the main protein of potato tubers. This enzyme will be an important tool for the analysis of N-glycans and in the modification of N-glycans for immunological studies.     

Glycosylation profiling of immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses from human serum

All four subclasses of human serum IgG contain a single N-glycosylation site in the constant region of their heavy chain, which is occupied by biantennary, largely core-fucosylated and partially truncated oligosaccharides, that may carry a bisecting N-acetylglucosamine and sialic acid residues. IgG glycosylation has been shown to be altered under various physiological and pathological circumstances. IgG N-glycan profiles vary with age, and galactosylation for example is enhanced during pregnancy. Several diseases including rheumatoid arthritis are associated with a reduction in galactosylation of the IgG N-glycans. Here, we describe a robust method for the isolation of IgG subclasses using protein A (binds IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4) and protein G (binds additionally IgG3) at the 96-well plate level, which is suitable for automation. Isolated IgGs were digested with trypsin, and obtained glycopeptides were analyzed by nano-LC-MS. Glycopeptides were characterized by CID as well as electron transfer dissociation (ETD). The method provided glycosylation profiles for IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 and revealed distinct differences in N-glycosylation between the four IgG subclasses. The changes in galactosylation associated with rheumatoid arthritis could readily be monitored. This method is suitable for the subclass-specific analysis of IgG glycosylation from clinical samples.