Glycosyltransferases involved in type 1 chain and Lewis antigen biosynthesis exhibit glycan and core chain specificity

ISSN： 1460-2423

Source： Glycobiology, Vol.16, Iss.7, 2006-07, pp. : 584-593

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Abstract

Sialyl Lewis A (SLe^a), Lewis A (Le^a), and Lewis B (Le^b) have been studied in many different biological contexts, for example in microbial adhesion and cancer. Their biosynthesis is complex and involves 1,3-galactosyltransferases (3Gal-Ts) and a combined action of α2- and/or α4-fucosyltransferases (Fuc-Ts). Further, O-glycans with different core structures have been identified, and the ability of 3Gal-Ts and Fuc-Ts to use these as substrates has not been resolved. Therefore, to examine the in vivo specificity of enzymes involved in SLe^a, Le^a, and Le^b synthesis, we have transiently transfected CHO-K1 cells with relevant human glycosyltransferases and, on secreted reporter proteins, detected the resulting Lewis antigens on N- and O-linked glycans using western blotting and Le-specific antibodies. 3Gal-T1, -T2, and -T5 could synthesize type 1 chains on N-linked glycans, but only 3Gal-T5 worked on O-linked glycans. The latter enzyme could use both core 2 and core 3 precursor structures. Furthermore, the specificity of FUT5 and FUT3 in Le^a and Le^b synthesis was different, with FUT5 fucosylating H type 1 only on core 2, but FUT3 fucosylating H type 1 much more efficient on core 3 than on core 2. Finally, FUT1 and FUT2 were both found to direct α2-fucosylation on type 1 chains on both N- and O-linked structures. This knowledge enables us to engineer recombinant glycoproteins with glycan- and core chain-specific Lewis antigen substitution. Such tools will be important for investigations on the fine carbohydrate specificity of Le^b-binding lectins, such as Helicobacter pylori adhesins and DC-SIGN, and may also prove useful as therapeutics.