In vivo expression of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine: Alpha-3-D-mannoside beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GnT-1) in Aspergillus oryzae and effects on the sugar chain of alpha-amylase

UDP-N-Acetylglucosamine: alpha-3-D-mannoside beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GnT-I) is an essential enzyme in the conversion of high mannose type oligosaccharide to the hybrid or complex type. The full length of the rat GnT-I gene was expressed in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae. A microsomal preparation from a recombinant fungus (strain NG) showed GnT-I activity that transferred N-acetylglucosamine residue to acceptor heptaose, Man(5)GlcNAc(2). The N-linked sugar chain of alpha-amylase secreted by the strain showed a peak of novel retention on high performance liquid chromatography that was same as a reaction product of in vitro GnT-1 assay. The peak of oligosaccharide disappeared on HPLC after beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase treatment. Mass analysis supported the presence of GlcNAcMan(5)GlcNAc(2) as a sugar chain of alpha-amylase from strain NG. Chimera of GnT-I with green fluorescent protein (GFP) showed a dotted pattern of fluorescence in the mycelia, suggesting localization at Golgi vesicles. We concluded that GnT-1 was functionally expressed in A. oryzae cells and that N-acetylglucosamine residue was transferred to N-glycan of alpha-amylase in vivo. A. oryzae is expected to be a potential host for the production of glycoprotein with a genetically altered sugar chain.     

N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase IX acts on the GlcNAc beta 1,2-Man alpha 1-Ser/Thr moiety, forming a 2,6-branched structure in brain O-mannosyl glycan

Mammals contain O-linked mannose residues with 2-mono- and 2,6-di-substitutions by GlcNAc in brain glycoproteins. It has been demonstrated that the transfer of GlcNAc to the 2-OH position of the mannose residue is catalyzed by the enzyme, protein O-mannose beta1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (POMGnT1), but the enzymatic basis of the transfer to the 6-OH position is unknown. We recently reported on a brain-specific beta1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase, GnT-IX, that catalyzes the transfer of GlcNAc to the 6-OH position of the mannose residue of GlcNAcbeta1,2-Manalpha on both the alpha1,3- and alpha1,6-linked mannose arms in the core structure of N-glycan (Inamori, K., Endo, T., Ide, Y., Fujii, S., Gu, J., Honke, K., and Taniguchi, N. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 43102-43109). Here we examined the issue of whether GnT-IX is able to act on the same sequence of the GlcNAcbeta1,2-Manalpha in O-mannosyl glycan. Using three synthetic Ser-linked mannose-containing saccharides, Manalpha1-Ser, GlcNAcbeta1,2-Manalpha1-Ser, and Galbeta1,4-GlcNAcbeta1,2-Manalpha1-Ser as acceptor substrates, the findings show that (14)C-labeled GlcNAc was incorporated only into GlcNAcbeta1,2-Manalpha1-Ser after separation by thin layer chromatography. To simplify the assay, high performance liquid chromatography was employed, using a fluorescence-labeled acceptor substrate GlcNAcbeta1,2-Manalpha1-Ser-pyridylaminoethylsuccinamyl (PAES). Consistent with the above data, GnT-IX generated a new product which was identified as GlcNAcbeta1,2-(GlcNAcbeta1,6-)Manalpha1-Ser-PAES by mass spectrometry and (1)H NMR. Furthermore, incorporation of an additional GlcNAc residue into a synthetic mannosyl peptide Ac-Ala-Ala-Pro-Thr(Man)-Pro-Val-Ala-Ala-Pro-NH(2) by GnT-IX was only observed in the presence of POMGnT1. Collectively, these results strongly suggest that GnT-IX may be a novel beta1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase that is responsible for the formation of the 2,6-branched structure in the brain O-mannosyl glycan.     

Control of glycoprotein synthesis. Purification and characterization of rabbit liver UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:alpha-3-D-mannoside beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I

UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:alpha-3-D-mannoside beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I catalyzes an essential first step in the conversion of high mannose to hybrid and complex N-glycans (Schachter, H. (1986) Biochem. Cell Biol. 64, 163-181; Oppenheimer, C.L., and Hill, R.L. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 799-804), i.e. the addition of GlcNAc to (Man alpha 1-6(Man alpha 1-3)Man alpha 1-6)(Man alpha 1-3)Man beta 1-4GlcNAc-OR to form (Man alpha 1-6(Man alpha 1-3)Man alpha 1-6)(GlcNAc beta 1-2Man alpha 1- 3)Man beta 1-4GlcNAc-OR. The enzyme has been purified from Triton X-100 extracts of rabbit liver by chromatography on CM-Sephadex, Affi-Gel blue, UDP-hexanolamine-Sepharose, and a novel adsorbent in which UDP-GlcNAc is linked to thiopropyl-Sepharose at the 5-position of uracil. The enzyme exists in crude liver extracts in two molecular weight forms separable on Sephadex G-200. The low molecular weight form was purified 64,000-fold with a specific activity of 19.8 mumol/min/mg. The pure enzyme was free of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II-V activities. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a single major band of Mr 45,000 and two minor bands of Mr 54,000 and 50,000. All three bands showed retarded elution from an affinity column in which the acceptor substrate for the transferase was covalently linked to Sepharose. Kinetic analysis indicated a largely ordered sequential mechanism with UDP-GlcNAc binding to the enzyme first and UDP leaving last. Studies with synthetic analogues of the substrate Man alpha 1-6(Man alpha 1-3)Man beta 1-4GlcNAc showed that an unsubstituted equatorial hydroxyl on carbon 4 of the beta-linked Man residue was essential for enzyme activity.     

UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:alpha-3-D-mannoside beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:alpha-6-D-mannoside beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II in Caenorhabditis elegans

UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:alpha-3-D-mannoside beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GnT I) and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:alpha-6-D-mannoside beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II (GnT II) are key enzymes in the synthesis of Asn-linked hybrid and complex glycans. We have cloned cDNAs from Caenorhabditis elegans for three genes homologous to mammalian GnT I (designated gly-12, gly-13 and gly-14) and one gene homologous to mammalian GnT II. All four cDNAs encode proteins which have the domain structure typical of previously cloned Golgi-type glycosyltransferases and show enzymatic activity (GnT I and GnT II, respectively) on expression in transgenic worms. We have isolated worm mutants lacking the three GnT I genes by the method of ultraviolet irradiation in the presence of trimethylpsoralen (TMP); null mutants for GnT II have not yet been obtained. The gly-12 and gly-14 mutants as well as the gly-14;gly-12 double mutant displayed wild-type phenotypes indicating that neither gly-12 nor gly-14 is necessary for worm development under standard laboratory conditions. This finding and other data indicate that the GLY-13 protein is the major functional GnT I in C. elegans. The mutation lacking the gly-13 gene is partially lethal and the few survivors display severe morphological and behavioral defects. We have shown that the observed phenotype co-segregates with the gly-13 deletion in genetic mapping experiments although a second mutation near the gly-13 gene cannot as yet be ruled out. Our data indicate that complex and hybrid N-glycans may play critical roles in the morphogenesis of C. elegans, as they have been shown to do in mice and men.     

MS screening strategies: investigating the glycomes of knockout and myodystrophic mice and leukodystrophic human brains

The implementation of highly sensitive and rapid mass spectrometric screening strategies for defining the glycosylation repertoires of organs in knockout mice is helping to reveal the roles that glycans play in health and disease. Thus novel glycosylation pathways have been uncovered in two such knockouts, namely alpha-mannosidase II null mice and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine: alpha 6-D-mannoside beta 1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II null mice. This chapter documents the glycosylation profiles of a wide range of organs from the normal mouse which should facilitate future glycomics studies of knockout mice. Furthermore, we report applications of our screening technology in studies of the myodystrophy mouse and a human leukodystrophy.     

Independent Lec1A CHO glycosylation mutants arise from point mutations in N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I that reduce affinity for both substrates. Molecular consequences based on the crystal structure of GlcNAc-TI

A key enzyme in regulating the maturation of N-linked glycans is UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:alpha-3-D-mannoside beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GlcNAc-TI, EC 2.4.1.101). Lec1 CHO cells lack GlcNAc-TI activity and synthesize only the oligomannosyl class of N-glycans. By contrast, Lec1A CHO mutants have weak GlcNAc-TI activity due to the reduced affinity of GlcNAc-TI for both the UDP-GlcNAc and Man(5)GlcNAc(2)Asn substrates. Lec1A CHO mutants synthesize hybrid and complex N-glycans, albeit in reduced amounts compared to parental CHO cells. In this paper, we identify two point mutations that gave rise to the Lec1A phenotype in three independent Lec1A CHO mutants. The G634A mutation in Lec1A.2C converts an aspartic acid to an asparagine at amino acid 212, disrupting a conserved DXD motif (E(211)DD(213) in all GlcNAc-TIs) that makes critical interactions with bound UDP-GlcNAc and Mn(2+) ion in rabbit GlcNAc-TI. The C907T mutation in Lec1A.3E and Lec1A.5J converts an arginine conserved in all GlcNAc-TIs to a tryptophan at amino acid 303, altering interactions that are important in stabilizing a critical structural element in rabbit GlcNAc-TI. Correction of each mutation by site-directed mutagenesis restored their GlcNAc-TI activity and lectin binding properties to parental levels. The effect of the two amino acid changes on GlcNAc-TI catalysis is discussed in relation to the crystal structure of rabbit GlcNAc-TI complexed with manganese and UDP-GlcNAc.     

Remodeling of the major mouse xenoantigen, Galalpha1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc-R, by N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-III

beta-D-Mannoside beta-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III) catalyses the attachment of an N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residue to mannose in the beta(1-4) configuration in N-glycans, and forms a bisecting GlcNAc. We have generated transgenic mice that contain the human GnT-III gene under the control of the mouse albumin enhancer/promoter [Lee et al., (2003)]. Overexpression of this gene in mice reduced the antigenicity of N-glycans to human natural antibodies, especially in the case of the alpha-Gal epitope, Galalpha1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc-R. Study of endothelial cells from the GnT-III transgenic mice revealed a significant reduction in antigenicity, and a dramatic decrease in both complement- and natural killer cell-mediated mouse cell lysis. Changes in the enzymatic activities of other glycosyltransferases, such as alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase, and alpha-6-D-mannoside beta-1,6 N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V, did not point to any interaction between GnT-III and these enzymes in the transgenic mice, suggesting that this approach may be useful in clinical xenotransplantation.     

Control of glycoprotein synthesis. Detection and characterization of a novel branching enzyme from hen oviduct, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:GlcNAc beta 1-6 (GlcNAc beta 1-2)Man alpha-R (GlcNAc to Man) beta-4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase VI

Hen oviduct membranes were shown to contain high activity of a novel enzyme, UDP-GlcNac:GlcNAc beta 1-6(GlcNAc beta 1-2) Man alpha-R (GlcNAc to Man) beta 4-GlcNAc-transferase VI. The enzyme was shown to transfer GlcNAc in beta 1-4 linkage to the D-mannose residue of GlcNAc beta 1-6 (GlcNAc beta 1-2) Man alpha-R where R is either 1-6Man beta-(CH2)8COOCH3 or methyl. Radioactive enzyme products were purified by several chromatographic steps, including high performance liquid chromatography, and structures were determined by proton nmr, fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry, and methylation analysis to be GlcNAc beta 1-6 ([14C]GlcNAc beta 1-4) (GlcNAc beta 1-2) Man alpha-R. The enzyme is stimulated by Triton X-100 and has optimum activity at a relatively high MnCl2 concentration of about 100 mM; Co2+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ could partially substitute for Mn2+. A tissue survey demonstrated high GlcNAc-transferase VI activity in hen oviduct and lower activity in chicken liver and colon, duck colon, and turkey intestine. No activity was found in mammalian tissues. Hen oviduct membranes cannot act on GlcNAc beta 1-6Man alpha-R but have a beta 4-GlcNAc-transferase activity that converts GlcNAc beta 1-2Man alpha-R to GlcNAc beta 1-4(GlcNAc beta 1-2) Man alpha-R where R is either 1-6Man beta-(CH2)8COOCH3 or 1-6Man beta methyl. The latter activity is probably due to GlcNAc-transferase IV which preferentially adds GlcNAc in beta 1-4 linkage to the Man alpha 1-3 arm of the GlcNAc beta 1-2Man alpha 1-6(GlcNAc beta 1-2Man alpha 1-3)Man beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-4GlcNAc-Asn core structure of asparagine-linked glycans. The minimum structural requirement for a substrate of beta 4-GlcNAc-transferase VI is therefore the trisaccharide GlcNAc beta 1-6(GlcNAc beta 1-2) Man alpha-; this trisaccharide is found on the Man alpha 6 arm of many branched complex asparagine-linked oligosaccharides. The data suggest that GlcNAc-transferase VI acts after the synthesis of the GlcNAc beta 1-2Man alpha 1-3-, GlcNAc beta 1-2Man alpha 1-6-, and GlcNAc beta 1-6 Man alpha 1-6-branches by GlcNAc-transferases I, II, and V, respectively, and is responsible for the synthesis of branched oligosaccharides containing the GlcNAc beta 1-6(GlcNAc beta 1-4)(GlcNAc beta 1-2)Man alpha 1-6Man beta moiety.     

Loss-of-function of an N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase,POMGnT1, in muscle-eye-brain disease

Muscle-eye-brain disease (MEB), an autosomal recessive disorder, is characterized by congenital muscular dystrophy, brain malformation, and ocular abnormalities. Previously, we found that MEB is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the protein O-linked mannose beta1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1 (POMGnT1), which is responsible for the formation of the GlcNAcbeta1-2Man linkage of O-mannosyl glycan. Although 13 mutations have been identified in patients with MEB, only the protein with the most frequently observed splicing site mutation has been studied. This protein was found to have no activity. Here, we expressed the remaining mutant POMGnT1s and found that none of them had any activity. These results clearly demonstrate that MEB is inherited as a loss-of-function of POMGnT1.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of the mouse UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:alpha-3-D-mannoside beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I gene.

The biosynthesis of protein-bound complex N-glycans in mammals requires a series of covalent modifications governed by a large number of specific glycosyltransferases and glycosidases. The addition of oligosaccharide to an asparagine residue on a nascent polypeptide chain begins in the endoplasmic reticulum. Oligosaccharide processing continues in the Golgi apparatus to produce a diversity of glycan structures. UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:alpha-3-D-mannoside beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (EC 2.4.1.101; GlcNAc-TI) is a key enzyme in the process because it is essential for the conversion of high-mannose N-glycans to complex and hybrid N-glycans. We have isolated the mouse gene encoding GlcNAc-TI (Mgat-1) from a genomic DNA library. The mouse sequence is highly conserved with respect to the human and rabbit homologs and exists as a single protein-encoding exon. Mgat-1 was mapped to mouse Chromosome 11, closely linked to the gene encoding interleukin-3 by the analysis of multilocus interspecies backcrosses. RNA analyses of Mgat-1 expression levels revealed significant variation among normal tissues and cells.     

Life is sweet! A novel role for N-glycans in Drosophila lifespan

N-glycans are post-translational modifications in which the sugar chain is covalently linked to protein by a GlcNAcβ1-N-asparagine linkage. Drosophila melanogaster and other invertebrates, but not vertebrates, synthesize large amounts of "paucimannose" N-glycans that contain only three or four mannose residues. The enzyme UDP-GlcNAc:α3-D-mannoside β1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GnTI, encoded by the Mgat1 gene) controls the synthesis of paucimannose N-glycans. Either deletion or neuron-specific knockdown of Mgat1 in wild type flies results in pronounced defects in locomotion, structural defects in the adult central nervous system and a severely reduced lifespan. We have recently shown that neuronal expression of a wild-type Mgat1 transgene in Mgat1-null flies rescues the structural defects in the brain (fused β-lobes) and the shortened lifespan and, surprisingly, results in a dramatic 135% increase in mean lifespan relative to genetically identical controls that do not express the transgene. In this review, we discuss various approaches that can be used to determine the roles of paucimannose N-glycans in Drosophila longevity and in the adult CNS.     

Null mutations in Drosophila N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I produce defects in locomotion and a reduced life span

UDP-GlcNAc:alpha3-D-mannoside beta1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (encoded by Mgat1) controls the synthesis of hybrid, complex, and paucimannose N-glycans. Mice make hybrid and complex N-glycans but little or no paucimannose N-glycans. In contrast, Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans make paucimannose N-glycans but little or no hybrid or complex N-glycans. To determine the functional requirement for beta1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I in Drosophila, we generated null mutations by imprecise excision of a nearby transposable element. Extracts from Mgat1(1)/Mgat1(1) null mutants showed no beta1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I enzyme activity. Moreover, mass spectrometric analysis of these extracts showed dramatic changes in N-glycans compatible with lack of beta1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I activity. Interestingly, Mgat1(1)/Mgat1(1) null mutants are viable but exhibit pronounced defects in adult locomotory activity when compared with Mgat1(1)/CyO-GFP heterozygotes or wild type flies. In addition, in null mutants males are sterile and have a severely reduced mean and maximum life span. Microscopic examination of mutant adult fly brains showed the presence of fused beta lobes. The removal of both maternal and zygotic Mgat1 also gave rise to embryos that no longer express the horseradish peroxidase antigen within the central nervous system. Taken together, the data indicate that beta1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I-dependent N-glycans are required for locomotory activity, life span, and brain development in Drosophila.     

Biosynthesis in vitro of Ii core glycosphingolipids from neolactotetraosylceramide by beta 1-3- and beta 1-6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases from mouse T-lymphoma

The N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases probably involved in the biosynthesis in vitro of Ii core glycosphingolipids have been solubilized from a membrane preparation of mouse lymphoma P-1798 and partially characterized. The detergent-extracted membrane supernatant contains both beta 1-3- and beta 1-6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase activities that transfer [3H]GlcNAc from UDP-[3H]GlcNAc to the terminal galactose of neolactotetraosylceramide (Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc-ceramide; nLcOse4ceramide), to form the Ii core structures. The linkage of [3H]N-acetylglucosamine incorporated into the terminal galactose of nLcOse4Cer was determined from identification of 2,4,6-tri-O-methyl[3H]galactose and 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl[3H]galactose after hydrolysis of the permethylated enzymatic products, GlcNAc beta-[3H]Gal-GlcNAc-Gal-Glc-ceramide. In addition to the presence of beta-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases, we have detected a galactosyltransferase activity in this soluble supernatant fraction that catalyzes the transfer of [14C]galactose from UDP-[14C]galactose to lactotriaosylceramide (GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc-ceramide; LcOse3ceramide) to form nLcOse4ceramide, the acceptor in the N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-catalyzed reaction.     

Mucin synthesis. Conversion of R1-beta 1-3Gal-R2 to R1-beta 1-3(GlcNAc beta 1-6)Gal-R2 and of R1-beta 1-3GalNAc-R2 to R1-beta 1-3(GlcNAc beta 1-6)GalNAc-R2 by a beta 6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase in pig gastric mucosa

A UDP-GlcNAc:R1-beta 1-3Gal(NAc)-R2 [GlcNAc to Gal(NAc)] beta 6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase activity from pig gastric mucosa microsomes catalyzes the formation of GlcNAc beta 1-3(GlcNAc beta 1-6)Gal-R from GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal-R where -R is -beta 1-3GalNAc-alpha-benzyl or -beta 1-3(GlcNAc beta 1-6)GalNAc-alpha-benzyl. This enzyme is therefore involved in the synthesis of the I antigenic determinant in mucin-type oligosaccharides. The enzyme also converts Gal beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc to Gal beta 1-3(GlcNAc beta 1-6)Gal beta 1-4Glc. The enzyme was stimulated by Triton X-100 at concentrations between 0 and 0.2% and was inhibited by Triton X-100 at 0.5%. There is no requirement for Mn2+ and the enzyme activity is reduced to 65% in the presence of 10 mM EDTA. Enzyme products were purified and identified by proton NMR, methylation analysis and beta-galactosidase digestion. Competition studies suggest that this pig gastric mucosal beta 6-GlcNAc-transferase activity is due to the same enzyme that converts Gal beta 1-3GalNAc-R to mucin core 2, Gal beta 1-3(GlcNAc beta 1-6)GalNAc-R, and GlcNAc beta 1-3GalNAc-R to mucin core 4, GlcNAc beta 1-3(GlcNAc beta 1-6)GalNAc-R. Substrate specificity studies indicate that the enzyme attaches GlcNAc to either Gal or GalNAc in beta (1-6) linkage, provided these residues are substituted in beta (1-3) linkage by either GlcNAc or Gal. The insertion of a GlcNAc beta 1-3 residue into Gal beta 1-3GalNAc-R to form GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-3GalNAc-R prevents insertion of GlcNAc into GalNAc. These studies establish several novel pathways in mucin-type oligosaccharide biosynthesis.     

Purification and properties of the glycoprotein processing N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II from plants

The presence of an N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (GlcNAc-transferase) capable of adding a GlcNAc residue to GlcNAcMan3GlcNAc was demonstrated in mung bean seedlings. This enzyme was purified about 3400-fold by using (diethylaminoethyl)cellulose and phosphocellulose chromatographies and chromatography on Concanavalin A-Sepharose. The transferase was assayed by following the change in the migration of the [3H]mannose-labeled GlcNAc beta 1,2Man alpha 1,3(Man alpha 1,6)Man beta 1,4GlcNAc on Bio-Gel P-4, or by incorporation of [3H]GlcNAc from UDP-[3H]GlcNAc into a neutral product, (GlcNAc)2Man3GlcNAc. Thus, the purified enzyme catalyzed the addition of a GlcNAc to that mannose linked in alpha 1,6 linkage to the beta-linked mannose. GlcNAc beta 1,2Man alpha 1,3(Man alpha 1,6)Man beta 1,4GlcNAc was an excellent acceptor while Man alpha 1,6(Man alpha 1,3)Man beta 1,4GlcNAc, Man alpha 1,6(Man alpha 1,3)Man alpha 1,6(Man alpha 1,3)Man beta 1,4GlcNAc, and Man alpha 1,6(Man apha 1,3)Man alpha 1,6[GlcNAcMan alpha 1,3]Man beta 1,4GlcNAc were not acceptors. Methylation analysis and enzymatic digestions showed that both terminal GlcNAc residues on (GlcNAc)2Man3GlcNAc were attached to the mannoses in beta 1,2 linkages. The GlcNAc transferase had an almost absolute requirement for divalent cation, with Mn2+ being best at 2-3 mM. Mn2+ could not be replaced by Mg2+ or Ca2+, but Cd2+ showed some activity. The enzyme was also markedly stimulated by the presence of detergent and showed optimum activity at 0.15% Triton X-100. The Km for UDP-GlcNAc was found to be 18 microM and that for GlcNAcMan3GlcNAc about 16 microM.     

Remodeling of sugar chain structures of human interferon-gamma

Natural human interferon (IFN)-gamma has mainly biantennary complex-type sugar chains and scarcely has multiantennary structures. We attempted to remodel the sugar chain structures using IFN-gamma as a model glycoprotein. To obtain the branching glycoforms of IFN-gamma, we introduced the genes for GnT-IV (UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:alpha-1,3-D-mannoside beta-1, 4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase) and/or GnT-V (UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:alpha-1,6-D-mannoside beta-1, 6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase) into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells producing human IFN-gamma. The parental CHO cells produced IFN-gamma with biantennary sugar chains mainly. When the GnT-IV activity was increased, triantennary sugar chains with a branch produced by GnT-IV increased up to 66.9% of the total sugar chains. When the GnT-V activity was increased, triantennary sugar chains with a corresponding branch increased up to 55.7% of the total sugar chains. When the GnT-IV and -V activities were increased at a time, tetraantennary sugar chains increased up to 56.2% of the total sugar chains. The proportion of these multiantennary sugar chains corresponded to the intracellular activities of GnT-IV and -V. What is more, lectin blot and flow cytometric analysis indicated that the multi-branch structure of the sugar chains was increased not only on IFN-gamma, one of the secretory glycoproteins, but also on almost CHO cellular proteins by introducing either or both of the GnT genes. The results suggest that the branching structure of sugar chains of glycoproteins could be controlled by cellular GnT-IV and GnT-V activities. This technology can produce glycoforms out of natural occurrence, which should enlarge the potency of glycoprotein therapeutics.     

Control of bisecting GlcNAc addition to N-linked sugar chains

In the present study, experimental control of the formation of bisecting GlcNAc was investigated, and the competition between beta-1,4-GalT (UDP-galactose:N-acetylglucosamine beta-1, 4-galactosyltransferase) and GnT-III (UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:beta-d-mannoside beta-1, 4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase) was examined. We isolated a beta-1,4-GalT-I single knockout human B cell clone producing monoclonal IgM and several transfectant clones that overexpressed beta-1,4-GalT-I or GnT-III. In the beta-1,4-GalT-I-single knockout cells, the extent of bisecting GlcNAc addition to the sugar chains of IgM was increased, where beta-1,4-GalT activity was reduced to about half that in the parental cells, and GnT-III activity was unaltered. In the beta-1,4-GalT-I transfectants, the extent of bisecting GlcNAc addition was reduced although GnT-III activity was not altered significantly. In the GnT-III transfectants, the extent of bisecting GlcNAc addition increased along with the increase in levels of GnT-III activity. The extent of bisecting GlcNAc addition to the sugar chains of IgM was significantly correlated with the level of intracellular beta-1,4-GalT activity relative to that of GnT-III. These results were interpreted as indicating that beta-1, 4-GalT competes with GnT-III for substrate in the cells.     

Control of glycoprotein synthesis. UDP-GlcNAc:glycopeptide beta 4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III, an enzyme in hen oviduct which adds GlcNAc in beta 1-4 linkage to the beta-linked mannose of the trimannosyl core of N-glycosyl oligosaccharides

Hen oviduct membranes are shown to catalyze the following enzyme reaction: GlcNAc beta 1-2Man alpha 1-6(GlcNAc beta 1-2Man alpha 1-3)Man beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-4(Fuc alpha 1-6)GlcNAc-Asn + UDP-GlcNAc leads to GlcNAc beta 1-2Man alpha 1-6(GlcNAc beta 1-2Man alpha 1-3)GlcNAc beta 1-4)Man beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-4(Fuc alpha 1-6)GlcNAc-Asn + UDP. The enzyme catalyzing this reaction has been named UDP-GlcNAc:glycopeptide beta 4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GlcNAc-transferase III) to distinguish it from two other GlcNAc-transferases (I and II) present in hen oviduct and previously described in several mammalian tissues. GlcNAc-transferases I and II, respectively, attach GlcNAc in beta 1-2 linkage to the Man alpha 1-3 and Man alpha 1-6 arms of Asn-linked oligosaccharide cores. A specific assay for GlcNAc-transferase III was devised by using concanavalin A/Sepharose columns to separate the product of transferase III from other interfering radioactive glycopeptides formed in the reaction. The specific activity of GlcNAc-transferase III in hen oviduct membranes is about 5 nmol/mg of protein/h. Substrate specificity studies have shown that GlcNAc-transferase III requires both terminal beta 1-2-linked GlcNAc residues in its substrate for maximal activity. Removal of the GlcNAc residue on the Man alpha 1-6 arm reduces activity by at least 85% and removal of both GlcNAc residues reduces activity by at least 93%. Two large scale preparations of product were subjected to high resolution proton NMR spectroscopy to establish the incorporation by the enzyme of a GlcNAc in beta 1-4 linkage to the beta-linked Man. This GlcNAc residue is called a "bisecting" GlcNAc and appears to play important control functions in the synthesis of complex N-glycosyl oligosaccharides. Several enzymes in the biosynthetic scheme are unable to act on glycopeptide substrates containing a bisecting GlcNAc residue.