Genome-scale functional genomics screening highlights genes impacting protein fucosylation in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Abstract

N-linked glycosylation is a common post-translational modification that has various effects on multiple types of proteins. The extent to which an N-linked glycoprotein is modified and the identity of glycans species involved is of great interest to the biopharmaceutical industry, since glycosylation can impact the efficacy and safety of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). mAbs lacking core fucose, for example, display enhanced clinical efficacy through increased antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. We performed a genome-wide CRISPR knockout screen in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, the workhorse cell culture system for industrial production of mAbs, aimed at identifying novel regulators of protein fucosylation. Using a lectin binding assay, we identified 224 gene perturbations that significantly alter protein fucosylation, including well-known glycosylation genes. This functional genomics framework could readily be extended and applied to study the genetic pathways involved in regulation of other glycoforms. We hope this resource will provide useful guidance toward the development of next generation CHO cell lines and mAb therapeutics.