Two different glycosyltransferase defects that result in GalNAc{alpha}-O-peptide (Tn) expression

This study shows for the first time that different glycosyltransferasedefects in the biosynthesis of O-linked oligosaccharides giverise to the same GalNAc-O-Ser/Thr determinant on Tn erythrocytesand colorectal carcinoma cells. The O-linked oligosaccharidesisolated from the glycophorins of Tn erythrocytes containedpredominantly -Nacetylgalactosamine-O-Ser/Thr (Tn antigen) andsialyl-Tn. A marked reduction in normal sialylated oligosaccharideswas also observed. Monoclonal antibody BRIC 111 raised againstTn erythrocytes reacted with both Tn erythrocytes and colorectalcarcinoma tissues. Weak staining was detected in the supranucleararea and at the surface membranes in normal colorectal cells,but was absent from goblet cell vesicles. An increase in supranuclearstaining over controls was found in tumour tissue and in themajority of resection margin specimens. The highest levels ofstaining were present in transitional mucosa, adjacent to thetumours where goblet vesicles were also positive. Glycosylationdefects in the same patients were further studied by determinationof the activity of glycosyltransferases in mucosal tissue fromcontrol and cancer patients. The reduction in or loss of ß1-3 N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase activity to GalNAc-peptidein asialo-ovine submaxillary gland glycoprotein was detectedby direct assay and by isolation of the oligosaccharides fromthe incubation products. No differences in N-acetylglucosaminyl-,galactosyl- or sialyl-transfer to Galß1-3GaINAc inantifreeze glycoprotein or in sialyl transferase to asialo-ovinesubmaxillary gland glycoprotein were detected. Our study showsthat the GalNAc-O-Ser/Thr determinant on Tn erythrocytes andin colorectal carcinoma results from different glycosyltransferasedefects in separate biosynthetic pathways for haematopoieticand epithelial tissues. -N-Acetylgalactosamine-O-Ser Thr colon cancer erythrocyte O-glycosylation glycosyltransfer Tn