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.     

The N-acetyl-binding pocket of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases also accommodates a sugar analog with a chemical handle at C2

In recent years, sugars with a unique chemical handle have been used to detect and elucidate the function of glycoconjugates. Such chemical handles have generally been part of an N-acetyl moiety of a sugar. We have previously developed several applications using the single mutant Y289L-β1,4-galactosyltransferase I (Y289L-β4Gal-T1) and the wild-type polypeptide-α-GalNAc-T enzymes with UDP-C2-keto-Gal. Here, we describe for the first time that the GlcNAc-transferring enzymes-R228K-Y289L-β4Gal-T1 mutant enzyme, the wild-type human β1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-2 and human Maniac Fringe-can also transfer the GlcNAc analog C2-keto-Glc molecule from UDP-C2-keto-Glc to their respective acceptor substrates. Although the R228K-Y289L-β4Gal-T1 mutant enzyme transfers the donor sugar substrate GlcNAc or its analog C2-keto-Glc only to its natural acceptor substrate, GlcNAc, it does not transfer to its analog C2-keto-Glc. Thus, these observations suggest that the GlcNAc-transferring glycosyltransferases can generally accommodate a chemical handle in the N-acetyl-binding cavity of the donor sugar substrate, but not in the N-acetyl-binding cavity of the acceptor sugar.     

Structure-based design of beta 1,4-galactosyltransferase I (beta 4Gal-T1) with equally efficient N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase activity: point mutation broadens beta 4Gal-T1 donor specificity

beta1,4-Galactosyltransferase I (Gal-T1) normally transfers Gal from UDP-Gal to GlcNAc in the presence of Mn(2+) ion. In the presence of alpha-lactalbumin (LA), the Gal acceptor specificity is altered from GlcNAc to Glc. Gal-T1 also transfers GalNAc from UDP-GalNAc to GlcNAc, but with only approximately 0.1% of Gal-T activity. To understand this low GalNAc-transferase activity, we have carried out the crystal structure analysis of the Gal-T1.LA complex with UDP-GalNAc at 2.1-A resolution. The crystal structure reveals that the UDP-GalNAc binding to Gal-T1 is similar to the binding of UDP-Gal to Gal-T1, except for an additional hydrogen bond formed between the N-acetyl group of GalNAc moiety with the Tyr-289 side chain hydroxyl group. Elimination of this additional hydrogen bond by mutating Tyr-289 residue to Leu, Ile, or Asn enhances the GalNAc-transferase activity. Although all three mutants exhibit enhanced GalNAc-transferase activity, the mutant Y289L exhibits GalNAc-transferase activity that is nearly 100% of its Gal-T activity, even while completely retaining its Gal-T activity. The steady state kinetic analyses on the Leu-289 mutant indicate that the K(m) for GlcNAc has increased compared to the wild type. On the other hand, the catalytic constant (k(cat)) in the Gal-T reaction is comparable with the wild type, whereas it is 3-5-fold higher in the GalNAc-T reaction. Interestingly, in the presence of LA, these mutants also transfer GalNAc to Glc instead of to GlcNAc. The present study demonstrates that, in the Gal-T family, the Tyr-289/Phe-289 residue largely determines the sugar donor specificity.     

Structures of N-linked oligosaccharides of glycoproteins from tobacco BY2 suspension cultured cells

The structures of N-linked sugar chains of glycoproteins expressed in tobacco BY2 cultured cells are reported. Five pyridylaminated (PA-) N-linked sugar chains were derived and purified from hydrazinolysates of the glycoproteins by reversed-phase HPLC and size-fractionation HPLC. The structures of the PA-sugar chains purified were identified by two-dimensional PA-sugar chain mapping, ion-spray MS/MS analysis, and exoglycosidase digestions. The five structures fell into two categories; the major class (92.5% as molar ratio) was a xylose containing-type (Man3Fuc1 Xyl1GlcNAc2 (41.0%), GlcNAc2Man3Fuc1Xyl1GlcNAc2 (26.5%), GlcNAc1Man3Fuc1Xyl1GlcNAc2 (21.7%), Man3 Xyl1GlcNAc2 (3.3%)), and the minor class was a high-mannose type (Man5GlcNAc2 (7.5%)). This is the first report to show that alpha(1-->3) fucosylation of N-glycans does occur but beta(1-->4) galactosylation of the sugar chains does not in the tobacco cultured cells.     

Identification of a novel UDP-Glc:GlcNAc beta1-->4-glucosyltransferase in Lymnaea stagnalis that may be involved in the synthesis of complex-type oligosaccharide chains

Several studies suggest, that the snail Lymnaea stagnalis contains glycoproteins whose oligosaccharide side chains have structural features not commonly found in mammalian glycoproteins. In this study, prostate glands of L. stagnalis were incubated in media containing either [(3)H]-mannose, [(3)H]-glucosamine, or [(3)H]-galactose, and the metabolically radiolabeled protein-bound oligosaccharides were analyzed. The newly synthesized diantennary-like complex-type asparagine-linked chains contained a considerable amount of glucose, next to mannose, GlcNAc, fucose, galactose, and traces of GalNAc. Since glucose has not been found before as a constituent of diantennary N-linked glycans as far as we know, we assayed the prostate gland of L. stagnalis for a potential glucosyltransferase activity involved in the biosynthesis of such structures. We report here, that the prostate gland of L. stagnalis contains a beta1-->4-glucosyltransferase activity that transfers glucose from UDP-glucose to acceptor substrates carrying a terminal N-acetylglucosamine. The enzyme prefers substrates carrying a terminal GlcNAc that is beta6 linked to a Gal or a GalNAc, structures occurring in O-linked glycans, or a GlcNAc that is beta2 linked to mannose, as is present in N-linked glycans. Based on combined structural and enzymatic data, we propose that the novel beta1-->4-gluco-syltransferase present in the prostate gland may be involved in the biosynthesis of Glcbeta1-->4GlcNAc units in complex-type glycans, in particular in N-linked diantennary glycans.     

beta1-4Galactosyltransferase activity of mouse brain as revealed by analysis of brain-specific complex-type N-linked sugar chains

We previously reported two brain-specific agalactobiantennary N-linked sugar chains with bisecting GlcNAc and alpha1-6Fuc residues, (GlcNAcbeta1-2)(0)(or)(1)Manalpha1-3(GlcNAcbeta1-2M analpha1-6)(GlcNA cbeta1-4)Manbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-6)Glc NAc [Shimizu, H., Ochiai, K., Ikenaka, K., Mikoshiba, K., and Hase, S. (1993) J. Biochem. 114, 334-338]. Here, the reason for the absence of Gal on the sugar chains was analyzed through the detection of other complex type sugar chains. Analysis of N-linked sugar chains revealed the absence of Sia-Gal and Gal on the GlcNAc residues of brain-specific agalactobiantennary N-linked sugar chains. We therefore investigated the substrate specificity of galactosyltransferase activities in brain using pyridylamino derivatives of agalactobiantennary sugar chains with structural variations in the bisecting GlcNAc and alpha1-6Fuc residues as acceptor substrates. While the beta1-4galactosyltransferases in liver and kidney could utilize all four oligosaccharides as substrates, the beta1-4galactosyltransferase(s) in brain could not utilize the agalactobiantennary sugar chain with both bisecting GlcNAc and Fuc residues, but could utilize the other three acceptors. Similar results were obtained using glycopeptides with agalactobiantennary sugar chains and bisecting GlcNAc and alpha1-6Fuc residues as substrates. The beta1-4galactosyltransferase activity of adult mouse brain thus appears to be responsible for producing the brain-specific sugar chains and to be different from beta1-4galactosyltransferase-I. The agalactobiantennary sugar chain with bisecting GlcNAc and alpha1-6Fuc residues acts as an inhibitor against "brain type" beta1-4galactosyltransferase with a K(i) value of 0.29 mM.     

Crystal structure of beta1,4-galactosyltransferase complex with UDP-Gal reveals an oligosaccharide acceptor binding site

The crystal structure of the catalytic domain of bovine beta1,4-galactosyltransferase (Gal-T1) co-crystallized with UDP-Gal and MnCl(2) has been solved at 2.8 A resolution. The structure not only identifies galactose, the donor sugar binding site in Gal-T1, but also reveals an oligosaccharide acceptor binding site. The galactose moiety of UDP-Gal is found deep inside the catalytic pocket, interacting with Asp252, Gly292, Gly315, Glu317 and Asp318 residues. Compared to the native crystal structure reported earlier, the present UDP-Gal bound structure exhibits a large conformational change in residues 345-365 and a change in the side-chain orientation of Trp314. Thus, the binding of UDP-Gal induces a conformational change in Gal-T1, which not only creates the acceptor binding pocket for N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) but also establishes the binding site for an extended sugar acceptor. The presence of a binding site that accommodates an extended sugar offers an explanation for the observation that an oligosaccharide with GlcNAc at the non-reducing end serves as a better acceptor than the monosaccharide, GlcNAc. Modeling studies using oligosaccharide acceptors indicate that a pentasaccharide, such as N-glycans with GlcNAc at their non-reducing ends, fits the site best. A sequence comparison of the human Gal-T family members indicates that although the binding site for the GlcNAc residue is highly conserved, the site that binds the extended sugar exhibits large variations. This is an indication that different Gal-T family members prefer different types of glycan acceptors with GlcNAc at their non-reducing ends.     

Crystal structures of the bovine beta4galactosyltransferase catalytic domain and its complex with uridine diphosphogalactose.

beta1,4-galactosyltransferase T1 (beta4Gal-T1, EC 2.4.1.90/38), a Golgi resident membrane-bound enzyme, transfers galactose from uridine diphosphogalactose to the terminal beta-N-acetylglucosamine residues forming the poly-N-acetyllactosamine core structures present in glycoproteins and glycosphingolipids. In mammals, beta4Gal-T1 binds to alpha-lactalbumin, a protein that is structurally homologous to lyzozyme, to produce lactose. beta4Gal-T1 is a member of a large family of homologous beta4galactosyltransferases that use different types of glycoproteins and glycolipids as substrates. Here we solved and refined the crystal structures of recombinant bovine beta4Gal-T1 to 2.4 A resolution in the presence and absence of the substrate uridine diphosphogalactose. The crystal structure of the bovine substrate-free beta4Gal-T1 catalytic domain showed a new fold consisting of a single conical domain with a large open pocket at its base. In the substrate-bound complex, the pocket encompassed residues interacting with uridine diphosphogalactose. The structure of the complex contained clear regions of electron density for the uridine diphosphate portion of the substrate, where its beta-phosphate group was stabilized by hydrogen-bonding contacts with conserved residues including the Asp252ValAsp254 motif. These results help the interpretation of engineered beta4Gal-T1 point mutations. They suggest a mechanism possibly involved in galactose transfer and enable identification of the critical amino acids involved in alpha-lactalbumin interactions.     

Synthesis of beta-mannosides using the transglycosylation activity of endo-beta-mannosidase from Lilium longiflorum

Endo-beta-mannosidase is an endoglycosidase that hydrolyzes only the Man beta 1-4GlcNAc linkage of the core region of N-linked sugar chains. Recently, endo-beta-mannosidase was purified to homogeneity from Lilium longiflorum (Lily) flowers, its corresponding gene was cloned and important catalytic amino acid residues were identified [Ishimizu T., Sasaki A., Okutani S., Maeda M., Yamagishi M. & Hase S. (2004) J. Biol. Chem.279, 38555-38562]. In the presence of Man beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-4GlcNAc-peptides as a donor substrate and p-nitrophenyl beta-N-acetylglucosaminide as an acceptor substrate, the enzyme transferred mannose to the acceptor substrate by a beta1-4-linkage regio-specifically and stereo-specifically to give Man beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-pNP as a transfer product. Further studies indicated that not only p-nitrophenyl beta-N-acetylglucosaminide but also p-nitrophenyl beta-glucoside and p-nitrophenyl beta-mannoside worked as acceptor substrates, however, p-nitrophenyl beta-N-acetylgalactosaminide did not work, indicating that the configuration of the hydroxyl group at the C4 position of an acceptor is important. Besides mannose, oligomannoses were also transferred. In the presence of (Man)(n)Man alpha 1-6Man beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-4GlcNAc-peptides (n = 0-2) and pyridylamino GlcNAc beta 1-4GlcNAc, the enzyme transferred (Man)(n)Man alpha 1-6Man en bloc to the acceptor substrate to produce pyridylamino (Man)(n)Man alpha 1-6Man beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-4GlcNAc (n =0-2). Thus, the lily endo-beta-mannosidase is useful for the enzymatic preparation of oligosaccharides containing the mannosyl beta 1,4-structure, chemical preparations of which have been frequently reported to be difficult.     

Tissue-specific expression of sialyltransferases

Three sialyltransferases which attach terminal sialic acids to glycoprotein sugar chains are shown to exhibit striking differential expression in seven tissues of the rat. Using cDNA probes for the Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc alpha-2,6-sialytransferase which forms a NeuAc alpha 2-6Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc sequence on N-linked sugar chains, three different sized mRNAs are detected, two of which (4.7 and 4.3 kilobases (kb] have high homology along the full length, and a third (3.6 kb, in kidney) which is missing the 5' region corresponding to 45% of the NH2-terminal coding sequence. The 4.7- and 4.3-kb mRNAs exhibit differential expression of over 50-fold with the highest levels in liver and lowest in brain and heart. Assays for enzyme activity in tissue homogenates show high correspondence to the levels of mRNA. Evidence of tissue-specific expression was also obtained for two other sialyltransferases which form the NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4/3GlcNAc and NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-3GalNAc sequences on N-linked and O-linked sugar chains, respectively. Comparison of the ratios of the three enzymes in several tissues suggests that they are expressed independently. The results are discussed for their relevance to cellular control of terminal glycosylation sequences on glycoproteins and glycolipids.     

Structures of the sugar chains of mouse immunoglobulin G

The asparagine-linked sugar chains of mouse immunoglobulin G (IgG) were quantitatively liberated as radioactive oligosaccharides from the polypeptide portions by hydrazinolysis followed by N-acetylation, and NaB3H4 reduction. After fractionation by paper electrophoresis, lectin (RCA120) affinity high-performance liquid chromatography, and gel filtration, their structures were studied by sequential exoglycosidase digestion in combination with methylation analysis. Mouse IgG was shown to contain the biantennary complex type sugar chains. Eight neutral oligosaccharide structures, viz, +/- Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----2Man alpha 1----6(+/- Gal beta 1---- 4GlcNAc beta 1----2Man alpha 1----3)Man beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----4(+/- Fuc alpha 1----6)GlcNAc, were found after the sialidase treatment. The molar ratio of the sugar chains with 2,1, and 0 galactose residues was 2:5:3. The galactose residue in the monogalactosylated sugar chains was distributed on Man alpha 1----3 and Man alpha 1----6 sides in the ratio of 1:3. The oligosaccharides were almost wholly fucosylated and contained no bisecting N-acetylglucosamine which is present in human, rabbit, and bovine IgGs.     

Structure of the carbohydrate moieties of bovine rhodopsin.

The sugar chains of bovine rhodopsin were released from the polypeptide moiety by hydrazinolysis and reduced with NaB[3H]4 after N-acetylation. The radioactive oligosaccharides thus obtained were fractionated into three components by paper chromatography. The structures of these components were elucidated as GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3 (Man alpha 1 leads to 6)Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc, GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3(Man alpha 1 leads to 3 and 6 Man alpha 1 leads to 6)Man beta leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc, and GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3(Man alpha 1 leads to 3 (Man alpha 1 leads to 6)Man alpha 1 leads to 6)Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc, by sequential exoglycosidase digestion, methylation analysis, and endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase D digestion. The unusual features of the sugar chains of rhodopsin molecule seem to support the proposed processing pathway for the biosynthesis of asparagine-linked sugar chains of glycoproteins.     

Novel oligomannose-type sugar chains derived from glucose oxidase of Aspergillus niger.

The primary structure of the N-linked sugar chains of glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger was investigated. These sugar chains were released from the polypeptide backbone by hydrazinolysis, and the reducing ends of the sugar chains were pyridylaminated. HPLC of the pyridylamino sugar chains with an amide-silica column showed at least seven sugar chain peaks. Chemical and exoglycosidase digestion and 400 lMHz H-NMR studies of the sugar chains of lower molecular weight showed that these were novel oligomannose-type sugar chains, (Man)5-7 (GlcNAc)2, with the structure: +/- Man alpha 1----3Man alpha 1----3(Man alpha 1----6)Man alpha 1----6(+/- Man alpha 1----3Man alpha 1---3)Man )Man beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----4GlcNAc.     

Structural study of the carbohydrate moieties of two human immunoglobulin subclasses (IgG2 and IgG4)

Asparagine-linked sugar chains were quantitatively released as oligosaccharides from human IgG2 and IgG4 myeloma proteins by hydrazinolysis followed by N-acetylation and NaB3H4 reduction. Each oligosaccharide was isolated by serial lectin column chromatography. Study of their structures by sequential exoglycosidase digestion and methylation analysis, revealed that all of them were of the bi-antennary complex-type containing Man alpha 1-6(+/- GlcNAc beta 1-4)(Man alpha 1-3)Man beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-4(+/- Fuc alpha 1-6)GlcNAc as core structures, and GlcNAc beta 1-, Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1- and Sia alpha 2-6Gal beta 1- in their outer chain moieties. However, the molar ratio of each oligosaccharide was different in each IgG sample, indicating that clonal variation is included in the sugar chain moieties of IgG molecules. One of the IgG2 contained four asparagine-linked sugar chains in one molecule, two on the Fc fragment and the remainder on the Fab fragment. The sugar chains in the Fc fragment contained much less galactose as compared with the Fab fragment.     

Purification and characterization of UDP-GlcNAc: GlcNAcbeta 1-6(GlcNAcbeta 1-2)Manalpha 1-R [GlcNAc to Man]-beta 1, 4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase VI from hen oviduct

A new beta1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (GnT) responsible for the formation of branched N-linked complex-type sugar chains has been purified 64,000-fold in 16% yield from a homogenate of hen oviduct by column chromatography procedures using Q-Sepharose FF, Ni(2+)-chelating Sepharose FF, and UDP-hexanolamine-agarose. This enzyme catalyzes the transfer of GlcNAc from UDP-GlcNAc to tetraantennary oligosaccharide and produces pentaantennary oligosaccharide with the beta1-4-linked GlcNAc residue on the Manalpha1-6 arm. It requires a divalent cation such as Mn(2+) and has an apparent molecular weight of 72,000 under nonreducing conditions. The enzyme does not act on biantennary oligosaccharide (GnT I and II product), and beta1,6-N-acetylglucosaminylation of the Manalpha1-6 arm (GnT V product) is essential for its activity. This clearly distinguishes it from GnT IV, which is known to generate a beta1-4-linked GlcNAc residue only on the Manalpha1-3 arm. Based on these findings, we conclude that this enzyme is UDP-GlcNAc:GlcNAcbeta1-6(GlcNAcbeta1-2)Manalpha1-R [GlcNAc to Man]-beta1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase VI. This is the only known enzyme that has not been previously purified among GnTs responsible for antenna formation on the cores of N-linked complex-type sugar chains.     

The N-glycan acceptor specificity of a glucuronyltransferase, GlcAT-P, associated with biosynthesis of the HNK-1 epitope

The acceptor specificity of a rat brain glucuronyltransferase, GlcAT-P, associated with biosynthesis of the HNK-1 epitope on glycoproteins, was investigated using asialoorosomucoid as a model acceptor substrate. Structural analysis of N-linked oligosaccharides, to which glucuronic acid was transferred by GlcAT-P, by means of two-dimensional mapping of pyridylamino-oligosaccharides and MS spectrometry, demonstrated that the enzyme transferred glucuronic acid to bi-, tri-, and tetra-antennary complex type sugar chains, with almost equal efficiency, indicating that the enzyme has no preference as to the number of acceptor sugar branches. Next, we studied the branch specificity of this enzyme by means of the selective branch scission method involving two step exoglycosidase digestion using authentic pyridylamino-oligosaccharides. The GlcAT-P is highly specific for the terminal N-acetyllactosamine structure and no glucuronic acid was incorporated into a Gal1-3GlcNAc moiety. The GlcAT-P transferred glucuronic acid to the galactose residues in the N-acetyllactosamine branches of bi-, tri-, and tetra-antennary oligosaccharide chains, with different efficiencies and most preferentially to those in the Gal1-4GlcNAc1-4Man1-3 branch.     

The structures of the carbohydrate moieties of mouse kidney gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase: occurrence of X-antigenic determinants and bisecting N-acetylglucosamine residues

Paper electrophoresis and Bio-Gel P-4 column chromatography of the oligosaccharides released from mouse kidney gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase by hydrazinolysis gave fractionation patterns quite distinct from those of the bovine and rat kidney enzymes. Structural studies of the fractionated oligosaccharides by sequential exoglycosidase digestion in combination with methylation analysis showed that mouse kidney gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase contains a series of bisected complex-type asparagine-linked sugar chains with the following oligosaccharides as their outer chain moieties: GlcNAc beta 1----, Sia alpha 2----Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----, Gal beta 1----4(Fuc alpha 1----3)GlcNAc beta 1----, and sialylated N-acetyllactosamine repeating sugar chains. Some of these sugar chains were found for the first time in glycoproteins.     

Glycan residues of N- and O-linked oligosaccharides in the premeiotic spermatogenetic cells of the urodele amphibian Pleurodeles waltl characterize by means of lectin histochemistry

The aim of this work was the characterization of the glycoconjugates of the premeiotic spermatogenetic cells of the testis of an urodele amphibian, Pleurodeles waltl, by means of lectins in combination with several chemical and enzymatic procedures, in order to establish the distribution of N- and O-linked oligosaccharides in these cells. In the cytoplasm of the primordial germ cells, primary and secondary spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes, a granular structure can be observed close to the nucleus. These granules contain four types of sugar chains according to their appearance during the differentiation process: 1. some oligosaccharides that are identified in all the four cell types above mentioned, which include N-linked oligosaccharides with Fuc, Gal beta1,4GlcNAc and Neu5Ac alpha2,3Gal beta1,4GlcNAc and O-linked oligosaccharides with Gal beta1,4GlcNAc and Neu5Ac alpha2,3Gal beta1,4GlcNAc; 2. other glycan chains that are not present in the primary spermatocytes (N-linked oligosaccharides with DBA-positive GalNAc, GlcNAc, and a slight amount of Neu5Ac alpha2,6Gal/GalNAc and O-linked oligosaccharides with WGA-positive GlcNAc); 3. the sugar chains that are not in the earliest step of spermatogenesis (formed by both N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides with Glc); and 4. other that appear at the earliest and latest stages, but not in the intermediate ones, (N-linked oligosaccharides with Man and O-linked oligosaccharides with SBA- and HPA-positive GalNAc and PNA-positive Gal beta1,3GalNAc). This structure could be related with the Drosophila spectrosome and fusome, unusual cytoplasmic organelles implicated in cystic germ cell development. Data from the present work, as compared with those from mammals and other vertebrates, suggest that, although no dramatic changes in the glycosylation pattern are observed, some cell glycoconjugates are modified in a predetermined way during the early steps of the spermatogenetic differentiation process.     

Structural study of N-linked sugar chains of sheep erythrocyte membrane glycoproteins

Our previous study showed that non-reducing terminal galactose residues of N-linked sugar chains present in sheep erythrocyte membrane glycoproteins are important for rosette formation with T lymphoblastic cells [Ogasawara et al. (1995) Immunol Lett 48: 35–38]. As a first step to elucidate the significant structures of sugar chains involved in rosette formation, we analysed N-linked sugar chains released from the membrane glycoproteins by hydrazinolysis. The oligosaccharides were labeled with NaB3H4 and fractionated using columns of Aleuria aurantia lectin-Sepharose, MonoQ and Bio-Gel P-4. Structural analyses of oligosaccharides by sequential exoglycosidase digestion in combination with methylation analysis revealed that the membrane glycoproteins contain bi- (19%), tri- (33%), and tetraantennary (44%) complex-type oligosaccharides and that the oligosaccharides having exposed galactose residues amount to 40% of the total.