Deletion Of O-GlcNAc Transferase Research Articles

Inhibition of O -GlcNAc transferase activates type I interferon-dependent antitumor immunity by bridging cGAS-STING pathway.

The O -GlcNAc transferase (OGT) is an essential enzyme that mediates protein O -GlcNAcylation, a unique form of posttranslational modification of many nuclear and cytosolic proteins. Recent studies observed increased OGT and O -GlcNAcylation levels in a broad range of human cancer tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues, indicating a universal effect of OGT in promoting tumorigenesis. Here, we show that OGT is essential for tumor growth in immunocompetent hosts by repressing the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-dependent DNA sensing pathway. We found that deletion of OGT ( Ogt -/- ) caused a marked reduction in tumor growth in both syngeneic tumor models and a genetic colorectal cancer (CRC) model induced by mutation of the Apc gene ( Apc min ). Pharmacological inhibition or genetic deletion of OGT induced a robust genomic instability (GIN), leading to cGAS-dependent production of the type I interferon (IFN-I) and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). As a result, deletion of Cgas or Sting from Ogt -/- cancer cells restored tumor growth, and this correlated with impaired CD8 + T cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Mechanistically, we found that OGT-dependent cleavage of host cell factor C1 (HCF-1) is required for the avoidance of GIN and IFN-I production in tumors. In summary, our results identify OGT-mediated genomic stability and activate cGAS-STING pathway as an important tumor cell-intrinsic mechanism to repress antitumor immunity.

Loss of OGT enhances type I interferon-dependent antitumor immunity

Abstract The O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) is an essential enzyme that mediates protein O-GlcNAcylation, a unique form of posttranslational modification of many nuclear and cytosolic proteins. Recent studies observed increased OGT and O-GlcNAcylation level in a broad range of human cancer tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues, indicating a universal effect of OGT in promoting tumorigenesis. Here, we show that OGT is essential for tumor growth in immunocompetent hosts via repressing cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-dependent DNA sensing pathway. We found that deletion of OGT (Ogt−/−) caused a markedly reduction in tumor growth in both syngeneic tumor models and genetic colorectal cancer (CRC) model induced by mutation of the Apcgene (Apcmin). Pharmacological inhibition or genetic deletion of OGT induced a robust genomic instability (GIN), leading to cGAS-dependent production of type I interferon (IFN-I) and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). As a result, deletion of Cgasfrom Ogt−/−MC38 CRC cells restored tumor growth, which correlated with impaired CD8+ T cell antitumor immunity. Mechanistically, we found that OGT-dependent cleavage of host cell factor C1 (HCF-1) is required for the avoidance of GIN and IFN-I production. In sum, our results identify OGT-mediated genomic stability as an important tumor cell-intrinsic mechanism to repress antitumor immunity. Supported by the National Institutes of Health R01GM120496 (H.W.)

HBP/O-GlcNAcylation Metabolic Axis Regulates Bone Resorption Outcome

Osteoclasts play a key role in the regulation of bone mass and are highly active metabolically. Here we show that a metabolic reprogramming toward the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) is required not only for osteoclast differentiation but also to determine the bone resorption mode during physiological and pathological bone remodeling. We found that pharmacological inhibition of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) significantly reduced protein O-GlcNAcylation and osteoclast differentiation. Accordingly, genetic deletion of OGT also inhibited osteoclast formation and downregulated critical markers related to osteoclasts differentiation and function (NFATc1, αvintegrin, cathepsin K). Indeed, cells treated with OSMI-1, an OGT inhibitor, also reduced nuclear translocation of NFATc1. Furthermore, the addition of exogenous N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) strongly increased osteoclast formation and demineralization ability. Strikingly, our data show for the first time that O-GlcNAcylation facilitates an aggressive trench resorption mode in human cells. The incubation of osteoclasts with exogenous GlcNAc increases the percentage of erosion by trench while having no effect on pit resorption mode. Through time-lapse recording, we documented that osteoclasts making trenches moving across the bone surface are sensitive to GlcNAcylation. Finally, osteoclast-specific Ogt-deficient mice show increased bone density and reduced inflammation-induced bone loss during apical periodontitis model. We show that osteoclast-specific Ogt-deficient mice are less susceptible to develop bacterial-induced periapical lesion. Consistent with this, Ogt-deleted mice showed a decreased number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cells lining the apical periodontitis site. In summary, here we describe a hitherto undiscovered role of the HBP/O-GlcNAcylation axis tuning resorption mode and dictating bone resorption outcome.

Overexpression of Pdx1, reduction of p53, or deletion of CHOP attenuates pancreas hypoplasia in mice with pancreas-specific O-GlcNAc transferase deletion

Deletion of O-GlcNAc transferase (Ogt) in pancreatic epithelial progenitor cells results in pancreatic hypoplasia at birth, partly due to increased apoptosis during embryonic development. Constitutive loss of Ogt in β-cells results in increased ER stress and apoptosis, and in the Ogt-deficient pancreas, transcriptomic data previously revealed both tumor suppressor protein p53 and pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 (Pdx1), key cell survival proteins in the developing pancreas, as upstream regulators of differentially expressed genes. However, the specific roles of these genes in pancreatic hypoplasia are unclear. In this study, we explored the independent roles of p53, ER stress protein CHOP, and Pdx1 in pancreas development and their use in the functional rescue of pancreatic hypoplasia in the context of Ogt loss. Using invivo genetic manipulation and morphometric analysis, we show that Ogt plays a key regulatory role in pancreas development. Heterozygous, but not homozygous, loss of pancreatic p53 afforded a partial rescue of β-cell, α-cell, and exocrine cell masses, while whole body loss of CHOP afforded a partial rescue in pancreas weight and a full rescue in exocrine cell mass. However, neitherwas sufficient to fully mitigate pancreatic hypoplasia at birth in the Ogt-deficient pancreas. Furthermore, overexpression of Pdx1 in the pancreatic epithelium resulted in partial rescues in pancreas weight and β-cell mass in the Ogt loss background. These findings highlight the requirement of Ogt in pancreas development by targeting multiple proteins such as transcription factor Pdx1 and p53 in the developing pancreas.

Regulation of the urea cycle by CPS1 O-GlcNAcylation in response to dietary restriction and aging.

O-linked N-acetyl-glucosamine glycosylation (O-GlcNAcylation) of intracellular proteins is a dynamic process broadly implicated in age-related disease, yet it remains uncharacterized whether and how O-GlcNAcylation contributes to the natural aging process. O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and the opposing enzyme O-GlcNAcase (OGA) control this nutrient-sensing protein modification in cells. Here, we show that global O-GlcNAc levels are increased in multiple tissues of aged mice. In aged liver, carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) is among the most heavily O-GlcNAcylated proteins. CPS1 O-GlcNAcylation is reversed by calorie restriction and is sensitive to genetic and pharmacological manipulations of the O-GlcNAc pathway. High glucose stimulates CPS1 O-GlcNAcylation and inhibits CPS1 activity. Liver-specific deletion of OGT potentiates CPS1 activity and renders CPS1 irresponsive to further stimulation by a prolonged fasting. Our results identify CPS1 O-GlcNAcylation as a key nutrient-sensing regulatory step in the urea cycle during aging and dietary restriction, implying a role for mitochondrial O-GlcNAcylation in nutritional regulation of longevity.

OGT Regulates Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Function via Diabetes Susceptibility Gene Pdx1.

O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), a nutrient sensor sensitive to glucose flux, is highly expressed in the pancreas. However, the role of OGT in the mitochondria of β-cells is unexplored. In this study, we identified the role of OGT in mitochondrial function in β-cells. Constitutive deletion of OGT (βOGTKO) or inducible ablation in mature β-cells (iβOGTKO) causes distinct effects on mitochondrial morphology and function. Islets from βOGTKO, but not iβOGTKO, mice display swollen mitochondria, reduced glucose-stimulated oxygen consumption rate, ATP production, and glycolysis. Alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress by genetic deletion of Chop did not rescue the mitochondrial dysfunction in βOGTKO mice. We identified altered islet proteome between βOGTKO and iβOGTKO mice. Pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (Pdx1) was reduced in in βOGTKO islets. Pdx1 overexpression increased insulin content and improved mitochondrial morphology and function in βOGTKO islets. These data underscore the essential role of OGT in regulating β-cell mitochondrial morphology and bioenergetics. In conclusion, OGT couples nutrient signal and mitochondrial function to promote normal β-cell physiology.

OGT Is Crucial for Hepatocyte Survival and Liver Homeostasis Through the Control of Oxidative Stress

To address the role of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) in hepatocytes, the key enzyme of O-GlcNAcylation, we generated mice with a hepatocyte-specific deletion of OGT (OGT∆). Four weeks after birth, OGT∆ mice presented liver inflammation, oxidative stress, increased expression of ER stress and DNA damage markers, together with a decrease in O-GlcNAcylation of NRF1 and FoxO1, two key modulators of oxidative stress. In addition, OGT∆ hepatocytes were more sensitive to apoptosis when treated with staurosporine, an inducer of oxidative stress. The OGT∆ phenotype worsened with the presence of liver fibrosis septa surrounding regeneration nodules, associated with a significant increase in proliferation and inflammation markers. Interestingly, OGT expression was recovered in liver of 8 week-old OGT∆ mice suggesting counter-selection against OGT deficient cells. OGT recovery correlated with improvement of the hepatic oxidative phenotype, suggesting that OGT plays an essential role in hepatocyte survival and liver homeostasis through the control of oxidative stress.

1919-P: Regulation and Function of Bone Marrow Adipocytes in Osteogenesis and Hematopoiesis

In the bone marrow stroma, skeletal stem cells (SSCs) and their derived stromal cells, osteoblasts and bone marrow adipocytes (BMAs) provide the niche microenvironment to support the self-renewal and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). However, it’s still largely mysterious how the bone-fat balance is disrupted and whether marrow adiposity contributes to the skewed differentiation of HSCs toward myeloid over lymphoid cells. Here we showed that the O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification on intracellular proteins determined the adipogenic vs. osteogenic differentiation of SSCs. Conditional deletion of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) in Osx1+ cells promoted BMA formation while impaired osteoblast development and bone ossification, which resulted in defective B cell development. To determine the role of BM adipokines in hematopoiesis, we selectively ablated Kit ligand (Kitl) in Osx1+ and Adipoq+ lineages. Both Osx1-Kitl KO and Adipoq-Kitl KO mice lost myeloid progenitors in BM and developed macrocytic anemia. Collectively, our data identified protein O-GlcNAcylation as a novel regulator of SSCs differentiation and demonstrated that BMAs are functionally essential for unperturbed hematopoiesis. Disclosure Z. Zhang: None. Z. Huang: None. H. Ruan: None. Funding National Institutes of Health

O-GlcNAc Transferase Suppresses Inflammation and Necroptosis by Targeting Receptor-Interacting Serine/Threonine-Protein Kinase 3

Elevated glucose metabolism in immune cells represents a hallmark feature of many inflammatory diseases, such as sepsis. However, the role of individual glucose metabolic pathways during immune cell activation and inflammation remains incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate a previously unrecognized anti-inflammatory function of the O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) signaling associated with the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP). Despite elevated activities of glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway, activation of macrophages with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) resulted in attenuated HBP activity and protein O-GlcNAcylation. Deletion of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), a key enzyme for protein O-GlcNAcylation, led to enhanced innate immune activation and exacerbated septic inflammation. Mechanistically, OGT-mediated O-GlcNAcylation of the serine-threonine kinase RIPK3 on threonine 467 (T467) prevented RIPK3-RIPK1 hetero- and RIPK3-RIPK3 homo-interaction and inhibited downstream innate immunity and necroptosis signaling. Thus, our study identifies an immuno-metabolic crosstalk essential for fine-tuning innate immune cell activation and highlights the importance of glucose metabolism in septic inflammation.

Deficiency in intestinal epithelial O-GlcNAcylation predisposes to gut inflammation.

Post‐translational modifications in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) allow for precise control in intestinal homeostasis, the breakdown of which may precipitate the pathological damage and inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease. The O‐linked β‐N‐acetylglucosamine (O‐GlcNAc) modification on intracellular proteins controls diverse biological processes; however, its roles in intestinal homeostasis are still largely unexplored. Here, we found that levels of protein O‐GlcNAcylation and the expression of O‐GlcNAc transferase (OGT), the enzyme adding the O‐GlcNAc moiety, were reduced in IECs in human IBD patients. Deletion of OGT specifically in IECs resulted in disrupted epithelial barrier, microbial dysbiosis, Paneth cell dysfunction, and intestinal inflammation in mice. Using fecal microbiota transplantation in mice, we demonstrated that microbial dysbiosis although was insufficient to induce spontaneous inflammation but exacerbated chemical‐induced colitis. Paneth cell‐specific deletion of OGT led to Paneth cell dysfunction, which might predispose mice to chemical‐induced colitis. On the other hand, the augmentation of O‐GlcNAc signaling by inhibiting O‐GlcNAcase, the enzyme removing O‐GlcNAcylation, alleviated chemical‐induced colitis. Our data reveal that protein O‐GlcNAcylation in IECs controls key regulatory mechanisms to maintain mucosal homeostasis.

Deletion of OGlcNAc Transferase in Pancreatic Progenitors Causes Partial Pancreas Agenesis and Diabetes Independent of p53 in Mice

Deletion of the only nutrient-sensor enzyme, O-GlcNAc Transferase (OGT), catalyzing O-GlcNAc addition onto target proteins in pancreatic β-cells induces diabetes through β-cell failure. We hypothesized that OGT, expressed at a very high level in β-cells, has key developmental regulatory properties. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that OGT is required for pancreas and β-cell development by deleting OGT in pancreatic (Pdx1Cre, OGTKOPanc) or endocrine (Ngn3Cre, OGTKOEndo) progenitors. We show that mice lacking OGT in pancreatic progenitors (Pdx1+, OGTKOPanc) show near pancreas agenesis and loss of β-cell mass at birth. Few mice that grow into adulthood develop overt diabetes due to functional β-cell mass failure. OGT ablation in endocrine progenitors (Ngn3+, OGTKOEndo) resulted in normal pancreas mass but reduced β-cell mass and diabetes early in life, strongly revealing the temporal and importance of OGT for β-cell development. We observed loss of Pdx1 staining at birth and on embryonic (e) day 14.5 in OGTKOPanc. Transcriptome analysis of e14.5 progenitor single cells show distinct cell clustering populations in OGTKOPanc compared to littermate controls. Upstream regulator analysis of altered genes show enhanced activation of p53, also known as TP53 or tumor protein. Next we identified p53 to be O-GlcNAc-modified in β-cells. Concomitant deletion of p53 in the OGTKOPanc background (p53,OGTKOPanc) does not rescue pancreas agenesis in OGTKOPanc newborn, and adult p53,OGTKOPanc mice develop severe hyperglycemia and diabetes. These data highlight the novel role O-GlcNAc-modifications in pancreas and β-cell development and provide a new model to characterize the developmental defects associated with pancreatic agenesis. Disclosure E. Alejandro: None. D. Baumann: None. S. Jo: None. B. Akhaphong: None. A.D. Lockridge: None. R. Mohan: None.

Pancreatic Beta Cell O-GlcNAc Transferase Overexpression Increases Susceptibility to Streptozotocin- and High-Fat Diet–Induced Diabetes in Female Mice

The nutrient-sensor O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), the sole enzyme that adds an O-GlcNAc-modification onto proteins, was shown to regulate β-cell survival and function as β-cell deletion of OGT induces diabetes and islet failure in mice. We hypothesized that β-cell OGT overexpression (Rip-cre;OgtOE) would confer protection from streptozotocin (STZ)-induced β-cell failure and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetes. Female mice are typically resistant from HFD- or STZ-induced diabetes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this sexual dimorphism are unclear. Here, we uncovered that Rip-cre;OgtOE mice show normal peripheral insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in normal chow but when challenged female transgenic mice alone develop glucose intolerance post 8-weeks of HFD and severe hyperglycemia 1-week post STZ treatment. Surprisingly, male transgenic mice are neither protected nor impaired when compared to controls in both treatments. Molecular interrogation of islets validated efficient overexpression of OGT in both sexes by confirming protein expression of the reporter transgene (GFP). However, significant increase in OGT protein was observed only in islets of female Rip-cre;OgtOE mice, suggesting sex difference in OGT protein regulation. Transcriptome analysis by RNA sequencing shows increased expression levels of genes involved in acute inflammation (Ggt5, Ncf1, Ptgs1, Alox5ap) and immune response via agranulocyte adhesion and diapedesis (Glycam1) in islets of female Rip-cre;OgtOE mice, providing a mechanism of susceptibility to STZ and HFD-induced islet failure. Indeed, pancreas analysis shows increased islet infiltrating lymphocytes in female Rip-cre;OgtOE compared to control post 22 weeks of HFD treatment. Together, these data highlight the novel role of OGT in inflammation induced by STZ and HFD in islets and emphasize the importance of OGT dosage and O-GlcNAc cycling in β-cell survival. Disclosure R. Mohan: None. H. Ruan: None. X. Yang: None. E. Alejandro: None.

O‐GlcNAc Transferase Regulates Phenotypic Transformation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Response to Hyperglycemia

Risks of vascular complications are enhanced two‐to‐four fold in diabetes, accounting for increased morbidity and mortality in these patients. Hyperglycemia is an important risk factor for macrovascular complications associated with diabetes. Diabetic patients exhibit an increased incidence of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration and proliferation, a hallmark of VSMC phenotypic switching from the quiescent contractile state to a synthetic proliferative phenotype. Hyperglycemia increases glucose flux through the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway triggering an enhanced signaling via O‐linked N‐acetylglucosamine (O‐GlcNAc) transferase (OGT), the key enzyme catalyzing addition of O‐GlcNAc moieties to proteins. Protein O‐GlcNAcylation is a unique post‐translational protein modification implicated in diabetes and related cardiovascular complications. Previous studies have suggested both cardio‐protective and cardio‐detrimental effects of protein O‐GlcNAcylation in diabetes. However, the precise role of OGT in the etiology of diabetic atherogenesis remains incompletely understood. The goal of the current study was to investigate whether OGT modulates VSMC transition to a de‐differentiated phenotype under hyperglycemic conditions. Immunoblotting experiments revealed that in primary cultures of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) in vitro, benzyl 2‐deoxy α‐D‐galactopyranoside (BG), a pharmacological inhibitor of OGT, decreased high glucose‐induced OGT and O‐GlcNAc protein expression, and this was accompanied with attenuated PCNA (proliferation marker), reduced vimentin (SM synthetic marker) and increased SM‐MHC (SM contractile marker) expression. Consistent with these findings, deletion of OGT using siRNA gene silencing significantly lowered protein O‐GlcNAc and PCNA expression in glucose‐stimulated HASMC compared with glucose‐treated cells transfected with control siRNA. Notably, under glucose‐stimulated conditions, OGT knockdown enhanced calponin (SM contractile marker) expression in HASMC transfected with OGT siRNA vs cells transfected with control siRNA. Finally, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) revealed that specific OGT inhibitors (BG and ST045849) attenuated high glucose‐induced DNA‐binding activity of YY1 and Elk1 (transcriptional repressors of SM contractile phenotype) in HASMC compared to cells treated with glucose alone. Taken together, these data clearly demonstrate that loss of OGT inhibits VSMC phenotypic de‐differentiation in response to hyperglycemia, suggesting OGT as a potential therapeutic target in diabetic atherosclerosis.Support or Funding InformationAmerican Heart Association ‐ Grant‐in‐Aid 16GRNT31200034This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Schwann Cell O-GlcNAc Glycosylation Is Required for Myelin Maintenance and Axon Integrity.

Schwann cells (SCs), ensheathing glia of the peripheral nervous system, support axonal survival and function. Abnormalities in SC metabolism affect their ability to provide this support and maintain axon integrity. To further interrogate this metabolic influence on axon-glial interactions, we generated OGT-SCKO mice with SC-specific deletion of the metabolic/nutrient sensing protein O-GlcNAc transferase that mediates the O-linked addition of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) moieties to Ser and Thr residues. The OGT-SCKO mice develop tomaculous demyelinating neuropathy characterized by focal thickenings of the myelin sheath (tomacula), progressive demyelination, axonal loss, and motor and sensory nerve dysfunction. Proteomic analysis identified more than 100 O-GlcNAcylated proteins in rat sciatic nerve, including Periaxin (PRX), a myelin protein whose mutation causes inherited neuropathy in humans. PRX lacking O-GlcNAcylation is mislocalized within the myelin sheath of these mutant animals. Furthermore, phenotypes of OGT-SCKO and Prx-deficient mice are very similar, suggesting that metabolic control of PRX O-GlcNAcylation is crucial for myelin maintenance and axonal integrity. The nutrient sensing protein O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) mediates post-translational O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) modification. Here we find that OGT functions in Schwann cells (SCs) to maintain normal myelin and prevent axonal loss. SC-specific deletion of OGT (OGT-SCKO mice) causes a tomaculous demyelinating neuropathy accompanied with progressive axon degeneration and motor and sensory nerve dysfunction. We also found Periaxin (PRX), a myelin protein whose mutation causes inherited neuropathy in humans, is O-GlcNAcylated. Importantly, phenotypes of OGT-SCKO and Prx mutant mice are very similar, implying that compromised PRX function contributes to the neuropathy of OGT-SCKO mice. This study will be useful in understanding how SC metabolism contributes to PNS function and in developing new strategies for treating peripheral neuropathy by targeting SC function.

Quantitative phosphoproteomics reveals crosstalk between phosphorylation and O-GlcNAc in the DNA damage response pathway.

The modification of intracellular proteins by monosaccharides of O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is an essential and dynamic PTM of metazoans. The addition and removal of O-GlcNAc is catalyzed by the O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcase, respectively. One mechanism by which O-GlcNAc is thought to mediate proteins is by regulating phosphorylation. To provide insight into the pathways regulated by O-GlcNAc, we have utilized SILAC-based quantitative proteomics to carry out comparisons of site-specific phosphorylation in OGT wild-type and Null cells. Quantitation of the phosphoproteome demonstrated that of 5529 phosphoserine, phosphothreonine, and phosphotyrosine sites, 232 phosphosites were upregulated and 133 downregulated in the absence of O-GlcNAc. Collectively, these data suggest that deletion of OGT has a profound effect on the phosphorylation of cell cycle and DNA damage response proteins. Key events were confirmed by biochemical analyses and demonstrate an increase in the activating autophosphorylation event on ATM (Ser1987) and on ATM's downstream targets p53, H2AX, and Chk2. Together, these data support widespread changes in the phosphoproteome upon removal of O-GlcNAc, suggesting that O-GlcNAc regulates processes such as the cell cycle, genomic stability, and lysosomal biogenesis. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD001153 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD001153).

Conserved nutrient sensor O-GlcNAc transferase is integral to C. elegans pathogen-specific immunity.

Discriminating pathogenic bacteria from bacteria used as a food source is key to Caenorhabidits elegans immunity. Using mutants defective in the enzymes of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) cycling, we examined the role of this nutrient-sensing pathway in the C. elegans innate immune response. Genetic analysis showed that deletion of O-GlcNAc transferase (ogt-1) yielded animals hypersensitive to the human pathogen S. aureus but not to P. aeruginosa. Genetic interaction studies revealed that nutrient-responsive OGT-1 acts through the conserved β-catenin (BAR-1) pathway and in concert with p38 MAPK (PMK-1) to modulate the immune response to S. aureus. Moreover, whole genome transcriptional profiling revealed that O-GlcNAc cycling mutants exhibited deregulation of unique stress- and immune-responsive genes. The participation of nutrient sensor OGT-1 in an immunity module evolutionarily conserved from C. elegans to humans reveals an unexplored nexus between nutrient availability and a pathogen-specific immune response.

The role of O-GlcNAc transferase in regulating the gene transcription of developing and failing hearts.

Heart failure treatment currently centers on symptom management, primarily through reductions in systemic blood pressure and fluid retention. The O-linked attachment of β-N-acetylglucosamine to cardiac proteins is increased in cardiovascular disease and heart failure, and O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) is the enzyme that catalyzes this addition. Deletion of OGT is embryonically lethal, and cardiomyocyte-specific OGT knockdown causes the exacerbation of heart failure. Stem cell therapy is currently a major focus of heart failure research, and it was recently discovered that OGT is intricately involved with stem cell differentiation. This article focuses on the relationship of OGT with epigenetics and pluripotency, and integrates OGT with several emerging areas of heart failure research, including calcium signaling.

Non-canonical glycosyltransferase modulates post-hypoxic cardiac myocyte death and mitochondrial permeability transition

O-linked β- N-acetylglucosamine ( O-GlcNAc) is a dynamic, inducible, and reversible post-translational modification of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins on Ser/Thr amino acid residues. In addition to its putative role as a nutrient sensor, we have recently shown pharmacologic elevation of O-GlcNAc levels positively affected myocyte survival during oxidant stress. However, no rigorous assessment of the contribution of O-GlcNAc transferase has been performed, particularly in the post-hypoxic setting. Therefore, we hypothesized that pharmacological or genetic manipulation of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), the enzyme that adds O-GlcNAc to proteins, would affect cardiac myocyte survival following hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). Adenoviral overexpression of OGT (AdOGT) in cardiac myocytes augmented O-GlcNAc levels and reduced post-hypoxic damage. Conversely, pharmacologic inhibition of OGT significantly attenuated O-GlcNAc levels, exacerbated post-hypoxic cardiac myocyte death, and sensitized myocytes to mitochondrial membrane potential collapse. Both genetic deletion of OGT using a cre-lox approach and translational silencing via RNAi also resulted in significant reductions in OGT protein and O-GlcNAc levels, and, exacerbated post-hypoxic cardiac myocyte death. Inhibition of OGT reduced O-GlcNAc levels on voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC) in isolated mitochondria and sensitized to calcium-induced mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) formation, indicating that mPTP may be an important target of O-GlcNAc signaling and confirming the aforementioned mitochondrial membrane potential results. These data demonstrate that OGT exerts pro-survival actions during hypoxia-reoxygenation in cardiac myocytes, particularly at the level of mitochondria.