Human homolog of Caenorhabditis elegans sqv-3 gene is galactosyltransferase I involved in the biosynthesis of the glycosaminoglycan-protein linkage region of proteoglycans.

A cDNA encoding a novel galactosyltransferase was identified based on BLAST analysis of expressed sequence tags, and the cDNA clones were isolated from a human melanoma line library. The new cDNA sequence encoded a type II membrane protein with 327 amino acid sequence and showed 38% homology to the Caenorhabditis elegans sqv-3 gene involved in the vulval invagination and oocyte development. Extracts from L cells transfected with the galactosyltransferase cDNA in an expression vector and a fusion protein with protein A exhibited marked galactosyltransferase activity specific for p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-xylopyranoside. Moreover, transfection with the cloned cDNA restored glycosaminoglycan synthesis of galactosyltransferase I-deficient Chinese hamster ovary mutant pgsB-761 cells. Analysis of the enzyme product by beta-galactosidase digestion, mass spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy revealed that the reaction product was formed via beta-1,4 linkage, indicating that the enzyme is galactosyltransferase I (UDP-galactose:O-beta-D-xylosylprotein 4-beta-D-galactosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.133) involved in the synthesis of the glycosaminoglycan-protein linkage region of proteoglycans.     

Inhibition of chondroitin and heparan sulfate biosynthesis in Chinese hamster ovary cell mutants defective in galactosyltransferase I

We have isolated five Chinese hamster ovary cell mutants defective in galactosyltransferase I (UDP-D-galactose:xylose beta-1,4-D-galactosyltransferase) and studied the effect of p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-xyloside supplementation on glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis in the mutant cells. Assays of galactosyltransferase I showed that the mutants contained less than 2% of the enzyme activity present in wild-type cells, and enzyme activity was additive in mixtures of mutant and wild-type cell extracts, suggesting that the mutations most likely defined the structural gene encoding the enzyme. Cell hybridization studies showed that the mutations in all five strains were recessive and that the mutants belonged to the same complementation group. The mutants contained wild-type levels of xylosyltransferase (UDP-D-xylose:core protein (serine) beta-D-xylosyltransferase), lactose synthase (UDP-D-galactose:N-acetyl-glucosaminide beta-1,4-D-galactosyltransferase), and lactosylceramide synthase (UDP-D-galactose:glucosylceramide beta-1,4-D-galactosyltransferase). Their sensitivity to lectin-mediated cytotoxicity was virtually identical to that of the wild-type, indicating that there were no gross alterations in glycoprotein or glycolipid compositions. Anion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography of 35S-glycosaminoglycans from one of the galactosyltransferase I-deficient mutants showed a dramatic reduction in both heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate, demonstrating that galactosyltransferase I is responsible for the formation of both glycosaminoglycans in intact cells. Surprisingly, the addition of 1 mM-p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-xyloside, a substrate for galactosyltransferase I, restored glycosaminoglycan synthesis in mutant cells. This finding suggested that another galactosyltransferase, possibly lactose synthase, can transfer galactose to xylose in intact cells.     

Molecular characterization of β1,4-galactosyltransferase 7 genetic mutations linked to the progeroid form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)

β1,4-Galactosyltransferase 7 (β4GalT7) is a key enzyme initiating glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis. Based on in vitro and ex vivo kinetics studies and structure-based modelling, we molecularly characterized β4GalT7 mutants linked to the progeroid form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a severe connective tissue disorder. Our results revealed that loss of activity upon L206P substitution due to altered protein folding is the primary cause for the GAG synthesis defect in patients carrying the compound A186D and L206P mutations. We showed that R270C substitution strongly reduced β4GalT7 affinity towards xyloside acceptor, thus affecting GAG chains formation. This study establishes the molecular basis for β4GalT7 defects associated with altered GAG synthesis in EDS.     

A mutagenic study of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferases from Neisseria meningitidis

N-terminal His-tagged recombinant beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase from Neisseria meningitidis was expressed and purified to homogeneity by column chromatography using Ni-NTA resin. Mutations were introduced to investigate the roles of, Ser68, His69, Glu88, Asp90, and Tyr156, which are components of a highly conserved region in recombinant beta-1,4 galactosyltransferase. Also, the functions of three other cysteine residues, Cys65, Cys139, and Cys205, were investigated using site-directed mutagenesis to determine the location of the disulfide bond and the role of the sulfhydryl groups. Purified mutant galactosyltransferases, His69Phe, Glu88Gln and Asp90Asn completely shut down wild-type galactosyltransferase activity (1-3 %). Also, Ser68Ala showed much lower activity than wild-type galactosyltransferase (19 %). However, only the substitution of Tyr156Phe resulted in a slight reduction in galactosyltransferase activity (90 %). The enzyme was found to remain active when the cysteine residues at positions 139 and 205 were replaced separately with serine. However, enzyme reactivity was found to be markedly reduced when Cys65 was replaced with serine (27 %). These results indicate that conserved amino acids such as Cys65, Ser68, His69, Glu88, and Asp90 may be involved in the binding of substrates or in the catalysis of the galactosyltransferase reaction.     

Defective Glycosaminoglycan Substitution of Decorin in a Patient With Progeroid Syndrome Is a Direct Consequence of Two Point Mutations in the Galactosyltransferase I (ß4galT-7) Gene

The small dermatan sulfate proteoglycan decorin is involved in the regulation of collagen fibrillogenesis, cell adhesion and migration, and growth factor signaling. In a progeroid patient carrying two point mutations in ß4galactosyltransferase I (ß4galT-7) only 50% of the decorin core protein molecules are substituted with glycosaminoglycan chains. We expressed decorin, as well as wild-type and mutant alleles of ß4galT-7 in galactosyltransferase-deficient CHO618 cells. Decorin was less efficiently substituted with glycosaminoglycan chains upon expression of ß4galT-7^186D compared to ß4galT-7-expressing cells. Decorin from ß4galT-7-expressing cells displayed increased molecular heterogeneity. Decorin glycosaminoglycan chains were completely susceptible to chondroitinase ABC treatment. Cells expressing ß4galT-7^206P did not synthesize the proteoglycan form of decorin. Thus, the ß4galT-7 mutations directly affect the molecular phenotype of decorin observed in a patient with the progeroid form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which may be a major mechanistic cause for the skin and wound healing defects observed in this patient.     

Identification of the full-length coding sequence for human galactosyltransferase (beta-N-acetylglucosaminide: beta 1,4-galactosyltransferase)

A lambda gt11 human placenta cDNA library was screened using a cDNA probe encoding the COOH-terminal region of human beta 1,4-galactosyltransferase and with a synthetic oligonucleotide having a sequence corresponding to that of the 5' end of the cDNA probe. The newly isolated cDNA was found to code for the NH2-terminal and the 5'-untranslated region, primed at an (A)8 region in the coding sequence. A complete amino acid sequence has been deduced which shows only one membrane anchoring domain near the NH2-terminus. Comparison of the sequence to the soluble enzyme suggests proteolytic cleavage at Arg 77. Presently obtained information of human beta 1,4-galactosyltransferase makes it possible to study DNA mutations responsible for genetic defects such as the altered expression of galactosyltransferase found in a variant of congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type II (HEMPAS).     

Transient expression of a p58 protein kinase cDNA enhances mammalian glycosyltransferase activity

The effect of expression of a p58 protein kinase on mammalian beta-1,4 galactosyltransferase enzyme activity was examined in vitro and in vivo. We found that p58 protein kinase expression enhanced galactosyltransferase enzyme activity approximately three-fold in vivo when compared to reporter gene activity. Galactosyltransferase enzyme activity was also substantially reduced in vitro when dephosphorylated, or when p58 specific antibodies were used to inhibit kinase activity. These results suggest that galactosyltransferase activity is influenced by phosphorylation, and that the p58 protein kinase may mediate this effect.     

Comparison of two independent cDNA clones reported to encode beta 1,4 galactosyltransferase

The identity of cDNA encoding beta 1,4 galactosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.38) has been controversial, since two independent and unrelated cDNAs have been cloned (GTcDNA-1 and -2), both of which are thought to encode beta 1,4 galactosyltransferase. We have resolved this issue by examining the expression of the corresponding mRNAs in tissues possessing varying levels of galactosyltransferase activity. The expression of GTcDNA-1 parallels the level of galactosyltransferase activity assayed enzymatically, while the expression of GTcDNA-2 is unrelated to the level of enzyme activity, being virtually undetectable in tissues with abundant galactosyltransferase activity. GTcDNA-2, therefore, does not likely encode beta 1,4 galactosyltransferase, but rather, encodes a product that indirectly influences enzyme activity following cellular transfection.     

Human dermatosparaxis: a form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome that results from failure to remove the amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen.

Dermatosparaxis is a recessively inherited connective-tissue disorder that results from lack of the activity of type I procollagen N-proteinase, the enzyme that removes the amino-terminal propeptides from type I procollagen. Initially identified in cattle more than 20 years ago, the disorder was subsequently characterized in sheep, cats, and dogs. Affected animals have fragile skin, lax joints, and often die prematurely because of sepsis following avulsion of portions of skin. We recently identified two children with soft, lax, and fragile skin, which, when examined by transmission electron microscopy, contained the twisted, ribbon-like collagen fibrils characteristic of dermatosparaxis. Skin extracts from one child contained collagen precursors with amino-terminal extensions. Cultured fibroblasts from both children failed to cleave the amino-terminal propeptides from the pro alpha 1(I) and pro alpha 2(I) chains in type I procollagen molecules. Extracts of normal cells cleaved to collagen, the type I procollagen synthesized by cells from both children, demonstrating that the enzyme, not the substrate, was defective. These findings distinguish dermatosparaxis from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VII, which results from substrate mutations that prevent proteolytic processing of type I procollagen molecules.     

Expression and characterization of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase from Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The lgtB genes that encode beta-1,4-galactosyltransferases from Neisseria meningitidis ATCC 13102 and gonorrhoeae ATCC 31151 were isolated by a polymerase chain reaction using the pfu DNA polymerase. They were expressed under the control of lac and T7 promoters in Escherichia coli M15 and BL21 (DE3). Although the genes were efficiently expressed in E. coli M15 at 37 degrees C (33 kDa), most of the beta-1,4-galactosyltransferases that were produced were insoluble and proteolysed into enzymatically inactive polypeptides that lacked C-terminal residues (29.5 kDa and 28 kDa) during the purification steps. When the temperature of the cell growth was lowered to 25 degrees C, however, the solubility of the beta-1,4-galactosyltransferases increased substantially. A stable N-terminal his-tagged recombinant enzyme preparation could be achieved with E. coli BL21 (DE3) that expressed lgtB. Therefore, the cloned beta-1,4-galactosyltransferases were expressed under the control of the T7 promoter in E. coli BL21 (DE3), mostly to the soluble form at 25 degrees C. The proteins were easily purified to homogeneity by column chromatography using Ni-NTA resin, and were found to be active. The galactosyltransferases exhibited pH optimum at 6.5-7.0, and had an essential requirement for the Mn(+2) ions for its action. The Mg(+2) and Ca(+2) ions showed about half of the galactosyltransferase activities with the Mn(+2) ion. In the presence of the Fe(+2) ion, partial activation was observed with the beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase from N. meningitidis (64% of the enzyme activity with the Mn(+2) ion), but not from N. gonorrhoeae. On the other hand, the N(+2), Zn(+2), and Cu(+2) ions could not activate the beta-1,4- galactosyltransferase activity. The inhibited enzyme activity with the Ni(+2) ion was partially recovered with the Mn(+2) ion, but in the presence of the Fe(+2), Zn(+2), and Cu(+2) ions, the Mn(+2) ion could not activate the enzyme activities. Also, the beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase activity was 1.5-fold stimulated with the non-ionic detergent Triton X-100 (0.1-5 percent).     

Structure and Expression of the Human Lysyl Hydroxylase Gene (PLOD): Introns 9 and 16 Contain Alu Sequences at the Sites of Recombination in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type VI Patients

Lysyl hydroxylase (EC 1.14.11.4) catalyzes the formation of hydroxylysine in collagens by the hydroxylation of lysine residues in peptide linkages. This enzyme activity is known to be reduced in patients with the type VI variant of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and the first mutations in the lysyl hydroxylase gene (PLOD) have recently been identified. We have now isolated genomic clones for human lysyl hydroxylase and determined the complete structure of the gene, which contains 19 exons and a 5′ flanking region with characteristics shared by housekeeping genes. The constitutive expression of the gene in different tissues further suggests that lysyl hydroxylase has an essential function. We have sequenced the introns of the gene in the region where many mutations and rearrangements analyzed to date are concentrated. Intron 9 and intron 16 show extensive homology resulting from the many Alu sequences found in these introns. Intron 9 contains five and intron 16 eight Alu sequences. The high homology and many short identical or complementary sequences in these introns generate many potential recombination sites with the gene. The delineation of the structure of the lysyl hydroxylase gene contributes significantly to our understanding of the rearrangements in the genome of Ehlers-Danlos type VI patients.     

Human Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VII C and bovine dermatosparaxis are caused by mutations in the procollagen I N-proteinase gene.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) type VIIC is a recessively inherited connective-tissue disorder, characterized by extreme skin fragility, characteristic facies, joint laxity, droopy skin, umbilical hernia, and blue sclera. Like the animal model dermatosparaxis, EDS type VIIC results from the absence of activity of procollagen I N-proteinase (pNPI), the enzyme that excises the N-propeptide of type I and type II procollagens. The pNPI enzyme is a metalloproteinase containing properdin repeats and a cysteine-rich domain with similarities to the disintegrin domain of reprolysins. We used bovine cDNA to isolate human pNPI. The human enzyme exists in two forms: a long version similar to the bovine enzyme and a short version that contains the Zn++-binding catalytic site but lacks the entire C-terminal domain in which the properdin repeats are located. We have identified the mutations that cause EDS type VIIC in the six known affected human individuals and also in one strain of dermatosparactic calf. Five of the individuals with EDS type VIIC were homozygous for a C-->T transition that results in a premature termination codon, Q225X. Four of these five patients were homozygous at three downstream polymorphic sites. The sixth patient was homozygous for a different transition that results in a premature termination codon, W795X. In the dermatosparactic calf, the mutation is a 17-bp deletion that changes the reading frame of the message. These data provide direct evidence that EDS type VIIC and dermatosparaxis result from mutations in the pNPI gene.     

Cloning of the Bacillus subtilis DLG beta-1,4-glucanase gene and its expression in Escherichia coli and B. subtilis.

The gene encoding beta-1,4-glucanase in Bacillus subtilis DLG was cloned into both Escherichia coli C600SF8 and B. subtilis PSL1, which does not naturally produce beta-1,4-glucanase, with the shuttle vector pPL1202. This enzyme is capable of degrading both carboxymethyl cellulose and trinitrophenyl carboxymethyl cellulose, but not more crystalline cellulosic substrates (L. M. Robson and G. H. Chambliss, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 47:1039-1046, 1984). The beta-1,4-glucanase gene was localized to a 2-kilobase (kb) EcoRI-HindIII fragment contained within a 3-kb EcoRI chromosomal DNA fragment of B. subtilis DLG. Recombinant plasmids pLG4000, pLG4001a, pLG4001b, and pLG4002, carrying this 2-kb DNA fragment, were stably maintained in both hosts, and the beta-1,4-glucanase gene was expressed in both. The 3-kb EcoRI fragment apparently contained the beta-1,4-glucanase gene promoter, since transformed strains of B. subtilis PSL1 produced the enzyme in the same temporal fashion as the natural host B. subtilis DLG. B. subtilis DLG produced a 35,200-dalton exocellular beta-1,4-glucanase; intracellular beta-1,4-glucanase was undetectable. E. coli C600SF8 transformants carrying any of the four recombinant plasmids produced two active forms of beta-1,4-glucanase, an intracellular form (51,000 +/- 900 daltons) and a cell-associated form (39,000 +/- 400 daltons). Free exocellular enzyme was negligible. In contrast, B. subtilis PSL1 transformed with recombinant plasmid pLG4001b produced three distinct sizes of active exocellular beta-1,4-glucanase: approximately 36,000, approximately 35,200, and approximately 33,500 daltons. Additionally, B. subtilis PSL1(pLG4001b) transformants contained a small amount (5% or less) of active intracellular beta-1,4-glucanase of three distinct sizes: approximately 50,500, approximately 38,500 and approximately 36,000 daltons. The largest form of beta-1,4-glucanase seen in both transformants may be the primary, unprocessed translation product of the gene.     

Alu-Alu recombination results in a duplication of seven exons in the lysyl hydroxylase gene in a patient with the type VI variant of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

The type VI variant of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a recessively inherited connective-tissue disorder. The characteristic features of the variant are muscular hypotonia, kyphoscoliosis, ocular manifestations, joint hypermobility, skin fragility and hyperextensibility, and other signs of connective-tissue involvement. The biochemical defect in most but not all patients is a deficiency in lysyl hydroxylase activity. Lysyl hydroxylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of hydroxylysine in collagens and other proteins with collagen-like amino acid sequences. We have recently reported an apparently homozygous large-duplication rearrangement in the gene for lysyl hydroxylase, leading to the type VI variant of EDS in two siblings. We now report an identical, apparently homozygous large duplication in an unrelated 49-year-old female originally analyzed by Sussman et al. Our simple-sequence-repeat-polymorphism analysis does not support uniparental isodisomy inheritance for either of the two duplications. Furthermore, we indicate in this study that the duplication in the lysyl hydroxylase gene is caused by an Alu-Alu recombination in both families. Cloning of the junction fragment of the duplication has allowed synthesis of appropriate primers for rapid screening for this rearrangement in other families with the type VI variant of EDS.     

Differential behaviour of four plant polysaccharide synthases in the presence of organic solvents.

The behaviour of four membrane-bound glycosyl transferases involved in cell wall polysaccharide synthesis has been studied in relation to the effects of a graded series of organic solvents on their activity and type of product formed. Relative enzyme inhibition observed for some solvents was in direct relationship to the hydrophilicity of the product. This was in the order of arabinan synthase > callose synthase> xylan synthase > beta-1,4-glucan synthase. The former two were always inhibited, the xylan synthase rather less so. However, the beta-1,4-glucan synthase showed significant increases in substrate incorporation in the presence of solvents. A graded series of primary alcohols were much more effective in enhancing activity than acetone, ethyl acetate and dimethyl formamide. In the presence of the most effective solvent, methanol, there was considerable activation of beta-1,4-glucan production. This reciprocal nature of the behaviour of the beta-1,4- and beta-1,3-glucan synthases in organic solvent is supportive of recent molecular data that the two types of glucans are catalysed by separate enzyme systems. However, the results reported here do not totally negate the proposition that either enzyme is capable of synthesising the other linkage in minor amounts in vitro.     

Correlated gene expression between beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase V and N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V in human cancer cell lines

Since our previous study showed that the gene expression level of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase (beta-1,4-GalT) V is only increased in mouse NIH3T3 transformant and that beta-1,4-GalT V preferentially galactosylates the GlcNAcbeta1 --> 6Man branch of oligosaccharides [Shirane et al. (1999) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 265, 434-438], whether its gene expression is correlated with malignant transformation was investigated. Northern blot analysis of beta-1, 4-GalTs I, II, III, IV, V, and VI and N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (GlcNAcT)V in human cancer cell lines showed that the gene expression levels of beta-1,4-GalT V but not other beta-1,4-GalTs are strongly correlated with those of GlcNAcT V whose activity was shown to increase by malignant transformation. These results indicate that beta-1,4-GalT V is involved in the galactosylation of highly branched oligosaccharides characteristic of malignantly transformed cells.