Galactosyltransferase Activity Research Articles

Biochemical and in silico characterization of glycosyltransferases from red sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) reveals their broad specificity toward phenolic substrates

Polyphenolic compounds are a class of phytonutrients that play important roles in plants and contribute to human health when incorporated into our diet through fruit consumption. A large proportion occur as glycoconjugates but the enzymes responsible for their glycosylation are poorly characterized. Here, we report the biochemical and structural characterization of two glycosyltransferases from sweet cherry named PaUGT1 and PaUGT2. Both are promiscuous glucosyltransferases active on diverse anthocyanidins and flavonols, as well as phenolic acids in the case of PaUGT1. They also exhibit weaker galactosyltransferase activity. The expression of the gene encoding PaUGT1, the most active of the two proteins, follows anthocyanin accumulation during fruit ripening, suggesting that this enzyme is the primary glycosyltransferase involved in flavonoid glycosylation in sweet cherry. It can potentially be used to synthesize diverse glycoconjugates of flavonoids for integration into bioactive formulations, and for generating new fruit cultivars with enhanced health-promoting properties using breeding methods.

The biological role of core 1β1-3galactosyltransferase (T-synthase) in mucin-type O-glycosylation in Silkworm, Bombyx mori

O-glycosylation of secreted and membrane-bound proteins is an important post-translational modification that affects recognition of cell surface receptors, protein folding, and stability. However, despite the importance of O-linked glycans, their biological functions have not yet been fully elucidated and the synthetic pathway of O-glycosylation has not been investigated in detail, especially in the silkworm. In this study, we aimed to investigate O-glycosylation in silkworms by analyzing the overall structural profiles of mucin-type O-glycans using LC–MS. We found GalNAc or GlcNAc monosaccharide and core 1 disaccharide (Galβ1-3-GalNAcα1-Ser/Thr) were major components of the O-glycan attached to secreted proteins produced in silkworms. Furthermore, we characterized the 1 b1,3-galactosyltransferase (T-synthase) required for synthesis of the core 1 structure, common to many animals. Five transcriptional variants and four protein isoforms were identified in silkworms, and the biological functions of these isoforms were investigated. We found that BmT-synthase isoforms 1 and 2 were localized in the Golgi apparatus in cultured BmN4 cells and functioned both in cultured cells and silkworms. Additionally, a specific functional domain of T-synthase, called the stem domain, was found to be essential for activity and is presumed to be needed for dimer formation and galactosyltransferase activity. Altogether, our results elucidated the O-glycan profile and function of T-synthase in the silkworm. Our findings allow the practical comprehension of O-glycosylation required for employing silkworms as a productive expression system.

Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis Identifies Key Cellulose Synthase Genes (CESA) and Cellulose Synthase-like Genes (CSL) in Fast Growth Period of Flax Stem (Linum Usitatissimum L.)

ABSTRACT The cellulose synthase gene superfamily is vital for cell wall biogenesis during plant growth, particularly for flax fiber development. This study performed asequencing search of key CESA and CSL genes from several flax stem parts at different fiber development stages by comparing RNA-Seq. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to validate the expression of these genes. This study revealed that CESA4 genes (Lus10008225.g and Lus10008226.g), CESA6 genes (Lus10006161.g and Lus10041063.g), CESA8 genes (Lus10007296.g and Lus10029245.g), CSLD4 gene (Lus10026568.g), CSLE1 (Lus10016625.g) and CSLG genes (Lus10023056.g and Lus10023057.g) were specifically expressed in stem below the snap point where fibers is increased amounts of secondary cell wall deposition. LusCESA4 genes, LusCESA8, genes and LusCSLD4 gene were specifically expressed in fiber development stage during the fast growth period of flax plants. Based on GO and KEGG analyses, it was found that genes involved in pathways of cellulose microfibril organization, galactosyl transferase activity and galactose metabolism were specifically enriched in the stem tissue of the fiber development stage. Other genes involved in cellulose biosynthesis and cell wall development were also analyzed and discussed. The results will provide an important foundation for understanding fiber cell wall biogenesis, particularly the roles of LusCESAs and LusCSLs in the process of fiber development.

β1,4-Galactosyltransferase 1 Is a Key Regulator of Thrombopoiesis

Sialylated derivatives of N-Acetyl Lactosamine (LacNAc) regulate platelet lifespan, hepatic thrombopoietin (TPO) production, and thus thrombopoiesis. A major enzyme that synthesizes LacNAc is β1,4-galactosyltransferase 1 (β4GalT1), the gene of which is highly conserved through evolution. Long considered a housekeeping gene, the transcriptional regulation of B 4GALT1 remained widely understudied, and recent observations have shown that itspromoter region is rich in enhancer sequences.Both TPO and the chemokine CXCL12 regulate thrombopoiesis. Here we report that TPO and CXCL12 regulate megakaryocyte (MK) function by increasing β 4galt1 transcription . TPO and CXCL12 induced a two-wave expression of LacNAc in MKs. TPO was required for LacNAc production in wild type (WT) MKs, and β4GalT1 deletion in mice (β4GalT1-/-) resulted in severe thrombocytopenia due to increased integrin activity in MKs, and defective MK localization within the bone marrow (BM).Detailed analysis of β4GalT1-/- MKs and platelets showed that β4GalT1-/- MKs are almost completely devoid of LacNAc expression. Complete lack of galactosyltransferase activity in β4GalT1-/- MKs and platelets was demonstrated using in vitro enzymatic assays, showing that LacNAc synthesis in MKs and platelets depends primarily on β4GalT1. In WT MKs cultured in the presence of TPO alone, and in isolated circulating platelets, LacNAc expression was particularly evident in polypeptides with molecular weight ranging between 100-150 kDa, which were identified as αIIbβ3, GPIbα and β1 integrin. Addition of CXCL12 in vitro increased LacNAc expression specifically on a 130-kDa polypeptide, identified as the β1 integrin subunit. Further detailed investigation of receptor expression and function showed that WT MKs expressed two β1 integrin glycoforms of 130 and 100 kDa, and WT platelets expressed only the 130-kDa glycoform. β4GalT1-/- MKs and platelets expressed only the immature 100-kDa β1 integrin glycoform. While the subcellular distribution β1 integrin was indistinguishable between WT and β4GalT1-/- MKs and platelets, lack of LacNAc synthesis resulted in increased of β1 integrin surface expression, as determined by flow cytometry. β4GalT1-/- platelet adhesion to collagen and laminin was significantly increased and was unaffected by addition of RGDS. By contrast, GPIbα and αIIbβ3 expression and function were not affected by β4GalT1 loss.Together, the results suggest that TPO and CXCL12 upregulate β4GalT1-dependent LacNAc synthesis to promote thrombopoiesis, likely regulating MK β1 integrin expression, glycosylation and subsequent interaction with components of the extracellular matrix. Investigating the mechanisms regulating posttranslational modifications induced by various hematopoietic stimulating chemokines and cytokines will contribute to better understand thrombopoiesis. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

The Cytoplasmic Droplets of Rat Epididymal Spermatozoa Show Diminution of Glycosyl Transferases During Spermatozoa Epididymal Maturation


 
 
 
 The cytoplasmic droplet of the epididymal spermatozoon is a small localized outpouching of cytoplasm of the tail and is of unknown significance. Electron microscopy revealed flattened saccular elements of almost exclusive membranous components. In this study, a simple, reproducible method for the isolation of saccular elements from the caput and the cauda of rat epididymal spermatozoa is presented. Using exogenous glycosylation assays and immunocytochemistry for light and electron microscopy, we confirm the presence of three Golgi markers in the saccular elements of rat cytoplasmic droplets, namely, a-2,6-sialyltransferase, b- 1,4-galactosyltransferase and TGN-38 (trans-Golgi network protein). The variation in galactosyltransferase activity of isolated saccular elements in response to in vitro trypsinization was similar to that observed in the rat liver Golgi apparatus. Electrophoresis and immunoblotting analyses revealed polypeptide modifications in the saccular elements during spermatozoa epididymal transit. In addition, a significant decline in the content of galactosyltransferase and sialyltransferase occurred in the saccular elements during spermatozoa transit from the caput to the cauda epididymides. The content of TGN-38, however, did not show any significant change, suggesting that the modification of the content of the saccular elements is selective. Considering the glycosylating ability of the saccular elements and that the diminution of glycosyltransferase activities in cytoplasmic droplets coincides with the maturation of spermatozoa during epididymal transit, we suggest a potential role for the saccular elements of cytoplasmic droplets in the maturation of spermatozoa during their transit through the epididymis.
 
 
 

Inhibition of bacterial growth and galactosyltransferase activity of WbwC by α, ω-bis(3-alkyl-1H-imidazolium)alkane salts: Effect of varying carbon content

A series of compounds was designed and synthesized having two imidazolium rings separated by a polymethylene spacer and having alkyl substituents on each of the imidazolium rings. The compounds were assayed for their effects on the activity of galactosyltransferase WbwC, and also on the growth of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, as well as human cells. The inhibition observed on enzyme activities and cell growth was dependent on the total number of carbons in the spacer and the alkyl substituents on the imidazolium rings. These readily synthesized, achiral compounds have potential as antimicrobial and antiseptic agents.

Size-Controlled Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Homogeneous Oligosaccharides of Neisseria meningitidis W Capsular Polysaccharide.

Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) serogroup W (NmW) is one of the six meningococcal serogroups that cause majority of invasive meningococcal diseases (IMD). Its capsular polysaccharide (CPS) is a virulence factor and is a key component in NmW CPS-protein conjugate vaccines. The current clinically used NmW CPS-protein conjugate vaccines are effective but the costs are high and the products are heterogeneous at both the CPS and the conjugate levels. Towards the development of potentially better NmW CPS vaccines, herein we report the synthesis of homogeneous oligosaccharides of NmW CPS in a size-controlled manner using polysaccharide synthase NmSiaDW in a sequential one-pot multienzyme (OPME) platform. Taking advantage of the obtained structurally defined synthetic oligosaccharides tagged with a hydrophobic chromophore, detailed biochemical characterization of NmSiaDW has been achieved. While the catalytic efficiency of the galactosyltransferase activity of NmSiaDW increases dramatically with the increase of the sialoside acceptor substrate size, the size difference of the galactoside acceptor substrate does not influence NmSiaDW sialyltransferase activity significantly. The ratio of donor and acceptor substrate concentrations, but not the size of the acceptor substrates, has been found to be the major determining factor for the sizes of the oligosaccharides produced. NmW CPS oligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization (DP) higher than 65 have been observed. The study provides a better understanding of NmSiaDW capsular polysaccharide synthase and showcases an efficient chemoenzymatic synthetic platform for obtaining structurally defined NmW CPS oligosaccharides in a size-controlled manner.

Rhamnogalacturonan I galactosyltransferase: Detection of enzyme activity and its hyperactivation

Rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I), one of the pectic components of the plant cell wall, is composed of a backbone of repeating disaccharide units of rhamnose and galacturonic acid, and side chains, such as galactans, arabinans, and arabinogalactans. The activity of RG-I galactosyltransferase, which transfers galactosyl residues to rhamnosyl residues in the RG-I backbone, has not been detected until now. Here, we detected galactosyltransferase activity in azuki bean epicotyls using fluorogenic RG-I oligosaccharide acceptors. This enzyme prefers oligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization more than 9. The enzyme activity was detected in the Golgi apparatus, which is the site of pectin synthesis. In vitro hyperactivation of this enzyme was also observed. Moreover, enzyme activity was increased up to 40-fold in the presence of cationic surfactants or polyelectrolytes.

Downregulation of Glt25d1 aggravates carbon tetrachloride‑induced acute hepatic injury through activation of the TGF‑β1/Smad2 signaling pathway.

Collagen β (1-O) galactosyltransferase 1 (GLT25D1) has been reported to transfer galactose to hydroxylysine residues via β (1-O) linkages in collagen. The present study investigated the function of the collagen galactosyltransferase activity of GLT25D1 against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury in vitro. Glt25d1+/− mice and wild-type (WT) mice were injected intraperitoneally with the same dose of CCl4. The grade of hepatic injury and the extent of hepatocyte necrosis in the acute phase were assessed 48 h following CCl4 injection. Hepatocyte necrosis was evaluated by histological examination and by serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, which were higher in the Glt25d1+/− mice compared with those in the WT mice. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed, and the results demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 were significantly increased in the Glt25d1+/− mice. Furthermore, western blot analyses were performed, and the results demonstrated that the protein levels of cleaved caspase-3 and −9 were also markedly increased in the Glt25d1+/− liver, indicating that hepatocyte apoptosis was induced. Additionally, the expression levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and phosphorylated small mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad)2 were markedly upregulated, indicating activation of the TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling pathway during CCl4-induced acute liver injury in Glt25d1+/− mice. CCl4 administration also resulted in severe damage to Glt25d1+/− primary hepatocytes in vitro. Taken together, the downregulation of Glt25d1 deteriorated CCl4-induced liver injury in mice, which may involve triggering inflammatory responses, apoptosis and TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling pathway activation.

The contributions of individual galactosyltransferases to protein specific N-glycan processing in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells

Galactosylation as part of N-glycan processing is conducted by a set of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferases (B4GALTs), with B4GALT1 as the dominant isoenzyme for this reaction. Nevertheless, the exact contributions of this key-player as well as of the other isoenzymes involved in N-glycosylation, B4GALT2, B4GALT3 and B4GALT4, have not been studied in-depth.To increase the understanding of the protein- and site-specific activities of individual galactosyltransferases in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells, a panel of triple deletion cell lines was generated that expressed only one isoform of B4GALT each. Two model proteins were selected for this study to cover a large spectrum of possible N-glycan structures: erythropoietin and deamine-oxidase. They were expressed as Fc-fusion constructs (EPO-Fc and Fc-DAO) and their N-glycan processing status was analyzed by site-specific mass spectrometry. The sole activity of B4GALT1 resulted in a decrease of 15–21 % of fully galactosylated structures for erythropoietin, emphasizing the involvement of other isoenzymes. Interestingly, the contributions of B4GALT2 and B4GALT3 differed for the two model proteins. Unexpectedly, removal of galactosyltransferases influenced the overall process of N-glycan maturation, with the result of a higher occurrence of poorly processed oligosaccharides.In the context of high productivity cell lines, which can push N-glycan maturation towards incomplete galactosylation, galactosyltransferases are potential targets to ensure stable product quality. In view of our results, specifically engineered “designer” cell lines may be required for different proteins.

Biallelic B3GALT6 mutations cause spondylodysplastic Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Proteoglycans are among the most abundant and structurally complex biomacromolecules and play critical roles in connective tissues. They are composed of a core protein onto which glycosaminoglycan (GAG) side chains are attached via a linker region. Biallelic mutations in B3GALT6, encoding one of the linker region glycosyltransferases, are known to cause either spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia (SEMD) or a severe pleiotropic form of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS). This study provides clinical, molecular and biochemical data on 12 patients with biallelic B3GALT6 mutations. Notably, all patients have features of both EDS and SEMD. In addition, some patients have severe and potential life-threatening complications such as aortic dilatation and aneurysm, cervical spine instability and respiratory insufficiency. Whole-exome sequencing, next generation panel sequencing and direct sequencing identified biallelic B3GALT6 mutations in all patients. We show that these mutations reduce the amount of β3GalT6 protein and lead to a complete loss of galactosyltransferase activity. In turn, this leads to deficient GAG synthesis, and ultrastructural abnormalities in collagen fibril organization. In conclusion, this study redefines the phenotype associated with B3GALT6 mutations on the basis of clinical, molecular and biochemical data in 12 patients, and provides an in-depth assessment of β3GalT6 activity and GAG synthesis to better understand this rare condition.

Zinc supplementation decreases galactosylation of recombinant IgG in CHO cells.

Trace element composition of culture medium can be altered to modulate glycoform of recombinant glycoproteins. In this study, we show that Zn2+ supplementation at or above 100μM decreases galactosylation of recombinant IgG expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells. This decrease in galactosylation is not due to reduced galactosyltransferase expression. This effect persists upon supplementation of galactose and uridine to the culture, indicating that it may not be due to reduced UDP-Gal availability. Measurements of galactosyltransferase activity in the cell lysate show that activity decreases with increasing Zn2+/Mn2+ ratio. This suggests that one possible explanation of the effect of Zn2+ may be reduced intracellular galactosyltransferase activity due to increase in Zn2+/Mn2+ ratio. Consistent with this, the decrease in galactosylation of IgG could be reversed by supplementation of Mn2+ (a cofactor of galactosyltransferase) which increases intracellular Mn2+ content. Measurement of total intracellular Zn2+ content, however, indicates no significant upregulation of total intracellular Zn2+ content and no significant downregulation of intracellular Mn2+ content with Zn2+ supplementation. One possible explanation could be that cellular detoxification response to higher extracellular Zn2+ concentration might lead to changes in intracellular distribution of Mn2+. In this case, Zn2+ supplementation would be expected to interfere with other known effects of Mn2+. Indeed, the previously reported increase in high mannose glycans upon Mn2+ supplementation in the absence of glucose is reversed by Zn2+ supplementation. This study also suggests the use of Mn2+ supplementation as a strategy to overcome the effect of lot-to-lot variability in trace element concentrations on galactosylation.

Hypogalactosylation of immunoglobulin G in rheumatoid arthritis: relationship to HLA-DRB1 shared epitope, anticitrullinated protein antibodies, rheumatoid factor, and correlation with inflammatory activity

BackgroundGalactosylation of immunoglobulin G (IgG) is reduced in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and assumed to correlate with inflammation and altered humoral immunity. IgG hypogalactosylation also increases with age. To investigate dependencies in more detail, we compared IgG hypogalactosylation between patients with RA, patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and healthy control subjects (HC), and we studied it in RA on the background of HLA-DRB1 shared epitope (SE), anticitrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), and/or rheumatoid factor (RF) status.MethodsPatients with RA (n = 178), patients with axSpA (n = 126), and HC (n = 119) were characterized clinically, and serum IgG galactosylation was determined by capillary electrophoresis. Markers of disease activity, genetic susceptibility, and serologic response included C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), DAS28, SE, HLA-B27, ACPA, and RF. Expression of glycosylation enzymes, including beta 1–4 galactosyltransferase (B4GALT3) activity, were estimated from transcriptome data for B-cell development (GSE19599) and differentiation to plasma cells (GSE12366).ResultsIgG hypogalactosylation was restricted to RA and associated with increasing CRP levels (p < 0.0001). In axSpA, IgG hypogalactosylation was comparable to HC and only marginally increased upon elevated CRP. Restriction to RA was maintained after correction for CRP and age. Treatment with sulfasalazine resulted in significantly reduced IgG hypogalactosylation (p = 0.003) even after adjusting for age, sex, and CRP (p = 0.009). SE-negative/ACPA-negative RA exhibited significantly less IgG hypogalactosylation than all other strata (vs SE-negative/ACPA-positive, p = 0.009; vs SE-positive/ACPA-negative, p = 0.04; vs SE-positive/ACPA-positive, p < 0.02); however, this indicated a trend only after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. In SE-positive/ACPA-negative RA IgG hypogalactosylation was comparable to ACPA-positive subsets. The relationship between IgG hypogalactosylation and disease activity was significantly different between strata defined by SE (CRP, p = 0.0003, pBonferroni = 0.0036) and RF (CRP, p < 0.0001, pBonferroni < 0.0012), whereas ACPA strata revealed only a nonsignificant trend (p = 0.15). Gene expression data indicated that the key enzyme for galactosylation of immunoglobulins, B4GALT3, is expressed at lower levels in B cells than in plasma cells.ConclusionsIncreased IgG hypogalactosylation in RA but not in axSpA points to humoral immune response as a precondition. Reduced B4GALT3 expression in B cells compared with plasma cells supports relatedness to early B-cell triggering. The differential influence of RA treatment on IgG hypogalactosylation renders it a potential diagnostic target for further studies.

Transcriptome dynamics of Camellia sinensis in response to continuous salinity and drought stress

Camellia sinensis is an important economic crop worldwide since this plant is used to make one of the most popular non-alcoholic beverages, tea. Salinity together with drought pose a serious threat to the production and qualities of C. sinensis. However, the transcriptome dynamics occurring in response to drought stress and salt stress in tea plants are poorly understood at the molecular level. We reported the first large-coverage transcriptome datasets for C. sinensis under drought and salt stress using next-generation sequencing technology. Using a high-throughput Illumina sequencing platform, approximately 398.95 million high-quality paired-end reads were generated from young leaves of C. sinensis subjected to drought stress and salt stress, and these reads were used for de novo assembly. The transcripts with further processing and filtering yielded a set of 64,905 coding DNA sequences (CDSs) with an average length of 710 bp and an N50 of 933 bp. In total, 3936 and 3715 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from all analyzed time points of drought stress and salt stress, respectively. Identified in drought and salt stress were 2131 overlapping DEGs, and these are involved in galactosyltransferase activity, tetrapyrrole binding, and hydrolase activity, indicating that C. sinensis has a similar molecular response to these two stresses. We clustered the above DEGs from both sets into four clusters according to their expression dynamics, with the genes in each cluster showing enrichment for particular functional categories. We also found that under salt stress, most DEGs showed down-regulation at early time points and their expression levels were elevated after 48 h, whereas under drought stress most DEGs were down-regulated in all time points. The DEGs relative to pathways of osmotic product such as proline, sugar, and GABA were identified in C. sinensis. Noteworthy, among the identified DEGs are genes involved in the biosynthetic pathways of polyphenol and caffeine, providing evidence at the molecular level that salt and drought affect tea qualities. In addition, we analyzed the differential expression of transcription factors and revealed a large amount of crosstalk between the metabolic pathways of drought and salt stress. All findings suggest that gene expression exhibits rapid and coordinated changes during C. sinensis adaptations to drought stress and salt stress, and common themes in the response to both stresses were identified.

Expression and Characterization of Human β-1, 4-Galactosyltransferase 1 (β4GalT1) Using Silkworm-Baculovirus Expression System.

Baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) is widely known as a mass-production tool to produce functional recombinant glycoproteins except that it may not be always suitable for medical practice due to the differences in the structure of N-linked glycans between insects and mammalian. Currently, various approaches have been reported to alter N-linked glycan structures of glycoproteins derived from insects into terminally sialylated complex-type N-glycans. In the light of those studies, we also proposed in vitro maturation of N-glycan with mass-produced and purified glycosyltransferases by silkworm-BEVS. β-1,4-Galactosyltransferase 1 (β4GalT1) is known as one of type II transmembrane enzymes that transfer galactose in a β-1, 4 linkage to accepter sugars, and a key enzyme for further sialylation of N-glycans. In this study, we developed a large-scale production of recombinant human β4GalT1 (rhβ4GalT1) with N- or C-terminal tags in silkworm-BEVS. We demonstrated that rhβ4GalT1 is N-glycosylated and without mucin-type glycosylation. Interestingly, we found that purified rhβ4GalT1 from silkworm serum presented higher galactosyltransferase activity than that expressed from cultured mammalian cells. We also validated the UDP-galactose transferase activity of produced rhβ4GalT1 proteins by using protein subtracts from silkworm silk gland. Taken together, rhβ4GalT1 from silkworms can become a valuable tool for producing high-quality recombinant glycoproteins with mammalian-like N-glycans.

Chemoselective ligation reaction of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) with hydrazide functional probes to determine galactosyltransferase activity by MALDI mass spectrometry.

Quantification of β-1,4-galactosyltransferase (β-1,4-GT) activity is of considerable significance in the diagnosis of various cancers including lung and ovarian cancer. We report here the use of synthetic β-N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) ligands that contain hydrazide functional groups to determine galactosyltransferase activity by mass spectrometry. With hydrazide-linked β-d-NAG as the acceptor, the activity of β-1,4-GT is quantified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) with high efficiency. Using the disulfide moiety in a 3,3'-dithiodipropionic acid dihydrazide (DTP)-linked β-d-NAG probe, Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) are employed for enriching DTP-linked β-d-NAG after enzymatic reaction, and the ligand-bound AuNPs are subsequently deposited on a MALDI plate for analysis. In addition, we have demonstrated that a perfluorocarbon (PF) labeled β-NAG-ligand can be useful for surface-based enzymatic reaction with a perfluorooctadecanethiol (PFDT)-covered gold surface. Using the ratiometric method, the conversion rate of β-1,4-GT is determined to be 0.83 ± 0.03, which shows a high level of activity. This is the first work that uses hydrazide-linked β-d-NAG for activity analysis, providing a new surface-based MS approach to determine enzyme activity in a potentially high-throughput manner.

KNS4/UPEX1: A Type II Arabinogalactan β-(1,3)-Galactosyltransferase Required for Pollen Exine Development.

Pollen exine is essential for protection from the environment of the male gametes of seed-producing plants, but its assembly and composition remain poorly understood. We previously characterized Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutants with abnormal pollen exine structure and morphology that we named kaonashi (kns). Here we describe the identification of the causal gene of kns4 that was found to be a member of the CAZy glycosyltransferase 31 gene family, identical to UNEVEN PATTERN OF EXINE1, and the biochemical characterization of the encoded protein. The characteristic exine phenotype in the kns4 mutant is related to an abnormality of the primexine matrix laid on the surface of developing microspores. Using light microscopy with a combination of type II arabinogalactan (AG) antibodies and staining with the arabinogalactan-protein (AGP)-specific β-Glc Yariv reagent, we show that the levels of AGPs in the kns4 microspore primexine are considerably diminished, and their location differs from that of wild type, as does the distribution of pectin labeling. Furthermore, kns4 mutants exhibit reduced fertility as indicated by shorter fruit lengths and lower seed set compared to the wild type, confirming that KNS4 is critical for pollen viability and development. KNS4 was heterologously expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana, and was shown to possess β-(1,3)-galactosyltransferase activity responsible for the synthesis of AG glycans that are present on both AGPs and/or the pectic polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan I. These data demonstrate that defects in AGP/pectic glycans, caused by disruption of KNS4 function, impact pollen development and viability in Arabidopsis.

Comparative Decellularization and Recellularization of Wild-Type and Alpha 1,3 Galactosyltransferase Knockout Pig Lungs: A Model for Ex Vivo Xenogeneic Lung Bioengineering and Transplantation.

A novel potential approach for lung transplantation could be to utilize xenogeneic decellularized pig lung scaffolds that are recellularized with human lung cells. However, pig tissues express several immunogenic proteins, notably galactosylated cell surface glycoproteins resulting from alpha 1,3 galactosyltransferase (α-gal) activity, that could conceivably prevent effective use. Use of lungs from α-gal knock out (α-gal KO) pigs presents a potential alternative and thus comparative de- and recellularization of wild-type and α-gal KO pig lungs was assessed. Decellularized lungs were compared by histologic, immunohistochemical, and mass spectrometric techniques. Recellularization was assessed following compartmental inoculation of human lung bronchial epithelial cells, human lung fibroblasts, human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (all via airway inoculation), and human pulmonary vascular endothelial cells (CBF) (vascular inoculation). No obvious differences in histologic structure was observed but an approximate 25% difference in retention of residual proteins was determined between decellularized wild-type and α-gal KO pig lungs, including retention of α-galactosylated epitopes in acellular wild-type pig lungs. However, robust initial recellularization and subsequent growth and proliferation was observed for all cell types with no obvious differences between cells seeded into wild-type versus α-gal KO lungs. These proof of concept studies demonstrate that decellularized wild-type and α-gal KO pig lungs can be comparably decellularized and comparably support initial growth of human lung cells, despite some differences in retained proteins. α-Gal KO pig lungs are a suitable platform for further studies of xenogeneic lung regeneration.

The impact of aminopyrene trisulfonate (APTS) label in acceptor glycan substrates for profiling plant pectin β-galactosyltransferase activities

Aminopyrene trisulfonate (APTS)-labelled disaccharides are demonstrated to serve as readily accessible acceptor substrates for galactosyltransferase activities present in Arabidopsis microsome preparations. The reductive amination procedure used to install the fluorophore results in loss of the ring structure of the reducing terminal sugar unit, such that a single intact sugar ring is present, attached via an alditol tether to the aminopyrene fluorophore. The configuration of the alditol portion of the labelled acceptor, as well as the position of alditol galactosylation, substantially influence the ability of compounds to serve as Arabidopsis galactosyltransferase acceptor substrates. The APTS label exhibits an unexpected reaction-promoting effect that is not evident for structurally similar sulfonated aromatic fluorophores ANDS and ANTS. When APTS-labelled β-(1 → 4)-Gal3 was employed as an acceptor substrate with Arabidopsis microsomes, glycan extension generated β-(1 → 4)-galactan chains running to beyond 60 galactose residues. These studies demonstrate the potential of even very short glycan-APTS probes for assessing plant galactosyltransferase activities and the suitability CE-LIF for CAZyme profiling.

Identification of disease-associated pathways in pancreatic cancer by integrating genome-wide association study and gene expression data.

In order to additionally understand the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer (PC), the present study conducted pathway analysis based on genome-wide association study (GWAS) and gene expression data to predict genes that are associated with PC. GWAS data (accession no., pha002874.1) were downloaded from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database of Genotypes and Phenotypes, which included data concerning 1,896 patients with PC and 1,939 control individuals. Gene expression data [accession no., GSE23952; human pancreatic carcinoma Panc-1 transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) treatment assay] were downloaded from NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus. Gene set enrichment analysis was used to identify significant pathways in the GWAS or gene expression profiles. Meta-analysis was performed based on pathway analysis of the two data sources. In total, 58 and 280 pathways were identified to be significant in the GWAS and gene expression data, respectively, with 7 pathways significant in both the data profiles. Hsa 04350 TGF-β signaling pathway had the smallest meta P-value. Other significant pathways in the two data sources were negative regulation of DNA-dependent transcription, the nucleolus, negative regulation of RNA metabolic process, the cellular defense response, exocytosis and galactosyltransferase activity. By constructing the gene-pathway network, 5 pathways were closely associated, apart from exocytosis and galactosyltransferase activity pathways. Among the 7 pathways, 11 key genes (2.9% out of a total of 380 genes) from the GWAS data and 43 genes (10.5% out of a total of 409 genes) from the gene expression data were differentially expressed. Only Abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1 from the nucleolus pathway was significantly expressed in by both data sources. Overall, the results of the present analysis provide possible factors for the occurrence of PC, and the identification of the pathways and genes associated with PC provides valuable data for investigating the pathogenesis of PC in future studies.