Oligosaccharide Side Chains Of Glycoproteins Research Articles

UPLC-MS/MS Analysis of Urinary Free Oligosaccharides for Lysosomal Storage Diseases: Diagnosis and Potential Treatment Monitoring.

The glycoproteinoses are a subgroup of lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) resulting from impaired degradation of N-linked oligosaccharide side chains of glycoproteins, which are commonly screened by detecting the accumulated free oligosaccharides (FOSs) in urine via thin layer chromatography (TLC). The traditional TLC method suffers from limited analytical sensitivity and specificity and lacks quantification capability. Therefore, we developed an analytically sensitive and relatively specific assay using ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) for urinary FOS analysis and validated its use for urine screening of glycoproteinoses and other LSDs. Urine volumes equivalent to 30 μg of creatinine were derivatized with butyl-4-aminobenzoate and then purified through a solid-phase extraction cartridge. A 7-min UPLC-MS/MS analysis was performed on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer using an amide column for separation of derivatized FOS. Urine samples from >100 unaffected controls and 37 patients with various LSDs were studied. Relative quantification was conducted on 7 selected FOSs using a single internal standard, which allowed the identification of patients with 1 of 8 different LSDs: aspartylglucosaminuria, α-fucosidosis, α-mannosidosis, β-mannosidosis, β-galactosidase deficiency, Sandhoff disease, sialidosis, and galactosialidosis. Patients treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplant show decreased FOS responses compared with untreated patients. This UPLC-MS/MS assay offers a valuable tool for screening of glycoproteinoses and other LSDs, with potential use for future treatment monitoring.

Lectin histochemical detection of sulfoglycans in the zona pellucida of mammalian antral oocytes

Sulphated esters are important to increase effectiveness of specific biological activities of carbohydrates. Biochemical studies revealed the presence of distinct sulphated glycoproteins in mammal zona pellucida (ZP) that bind proacrosin and thus participate in the sperm-egg fusion processes. In the present study, 6 lectin-horseradish peroxidase conjugates (SBA, PNA, RCA-I, GSA-IB4, GSA-II and DBA) were used in combination with desulphation and sialidase digestion to identify sulphocarbohydrates in the terminal and/or subterminal position of oligosaccharide side chains of glycoproteins in the ZP of bovine, ovine, caprine and porcine antral oocytes. In particular, we identified the following terminal sulphoglycans located in the outer layer of the ZP only: SO4-GalNAc in bovine ZP; SO4-Galbeta1,3GalNAc in bovine and ovine ZP; SO4-Galbeta1,4GlcNAc in bovine, ovine and caprine ZP; SO4-alpha-Gal in bovine, caprine and porcine ZP. Subterminal sulphoglycans linked to sialic acid residues were evenly distributed throughout the entire thickness of the ZP: Neu5Ac-SO4-Galbeta1,3GalNAc in bovine and porcine ZP; Neu5Ac-SO4-Galbeta1,4GlcNAc in caprine ZP; Neu5Ac-SO4-alpha-Gal in porcine ZP; Neu5AcSO4-GlcNAc in bovine ZP. The results demonstrate that the chemical composition of the ZP differs among species determining the species-specificity of gamete interactions.

The Role of N-Glycosylation in Cell Fusion Induced by a Vaccinia Recombinant Virus Expressing Both Measles Virus Glycoproteins

We have evaluated the effect of inhibitors of N-glycosylation on syncytia formation in HeLa cell infected by a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the measles virus hemagglutinin (HA) and fusion (F) glycoproteins (VV-HA/F). Inhibitors which block glucose trimming of oligosaccharide side chains of glycoproteins (glucosidase inhibitors) prevented syncytium formation. On the other hand, inhibitors which block trimming of mannose residues (mannosidase inhibitors) did not prevent syncytium formation. The HA and F synthesized in the presence of either glucosidase or mannosidase inhibitors oligomerized and were transported to the cell surface. Concanavalin A, a mannose-specific lectin, inhibited syncytium formation. The inhibitors did not block the cleavage of the F protein, but in fact enhanced it. These studies demonstrate the importance of protein N-glycosylation in the process of membrane fusion and suggest that trimming of glucose residues and the presence of terminal mannose residues are required for VV-HA/F syncytium induction.

Subcellular characterization of glycoproteins in the principal cells of human gallbladder. A lectin cytochemical study.

Gallbladder mucus is mainly composed of glycoproteins, which seem to play a critical role in cholesterol nucleation during gallstone formation. The biosynthetic pathway and sequential processing as well as the characterization of the oligosaccharide side-chains of human gallbladder secretory glycoproteins have not been completely defined. The aim of the present study is the subcellular characterization of the glycoproteins in the principal cells of human gallbladder. Principal cells of normal human gallbladder were studied by means of a variety of cytochemical techniques, including lectin histochemistry, enzyme and chemical treatments, immunocytochemistry and lectin-gold technology. Fucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine and N-acetylneuraminic acid residues were detected in mucous granules, Golgi apparatus and apical membrane of principal cells. Mannose residues were only observed in dense bodies. Oligosaccharide side-chains of the glycoproteins contained in the biliary mucus are synthesized in the Golgi apparatus of the principal cells of the gallbladder epithelium and are also contained in the mucous granules of these cells. Terminal N-acetylneuraminic acid(alpha 2-3)galactose(beta 1-3)N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylneuraminic acid(alpha 2-3)galactose(beta 1-4)N-acetylglucosamine and galactose(beta 1-4)N-acetylglucosamine sequences are contained in the oligosaccharide chains of gallbladder mucus glycoproteins. The dense bodies detected in the cytoplasm of the principal cells contained N-linked glycoproteins. Mucin-type O-linked glycoproteins were the main components of the mucous granules although some N-linked chains were also detected.

The plant Golgi apparatus: a factory for complex polysaccharides and glycoproteins

The Golgi apparatus of plant cells serves two major functions: it assembles and processes the oligosaccharide side chains of glycoproteins, and it synthesizes the complex polysaccharides of the cell wall matrix, the hemicelluloses and pectins. The first function is common to plant and animal cells while the second is unique to plants. The recent introduction of novel biochemical and electron microscopical techniques, as well as the production and the application of highly specific anti-glycan antibody probes have led to major advances in understanding the structural and functional organization of plant Golgi stacks.

Gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of glycoprotein oligosaccharides.

The composition of the oligosaccharide side chains of glycoproteins is often very complex. This demands analytical techniques with a high resolution. We have adapted the development of high-temperature capillary GC and GC-MS using thin-film thermostable bonded stationary phases for the analysis of large permethylated oligosaccharides up to about decasaccharides (,). The technique is suitable for the analysis of most of the O-linked type of oligosaccharides, but the N-linked type of oligosaccharides are usually too large.

Effect of covalent modification on the binding of cholera toxin B subunit to ileal brush border surfaces

A competitive binding assay has been developed to determine how modifications to the B subunit of cholera toxin affect the binding affinity of the subunit for an ileal brush border membrane surface. The Ricinus communis 120 agglutinin (RCA 120) specifically binds to terminal β- d-galactosyl residues such as those found in oligosaccharide side chains of glycoproteins and ganglioside G m1 . Conditions were designed to produce binding competition between the B subunit of cholera toxin and the RCA 120 agglutinin. Displacement of RCA 120 from brush border surfaces was proportional to the concentration of B subunit added. This assay was used to study the effect of modification of B subunit on competitive binding affinity for the ileal brush border surface. The B subunit of cholera toxin was modified by coupling an average of five sulfhydryl groups to each B subunit molecule and by reaction of the SH-modified B subunit with liposomes containing a surface maleimide group attached to phosphatidylethanolamine. SH-modified B subunit was approximately 200-fold more effective than native B subunit in displacing lectin from brush border surfaces in the competitive binding assay. The enhanced binding activity was retained on covalent attachment of the modified B subunit to the liposome surface. We conclude that the B subunit of cholera toxin may be a useful targeting agent for directing liposomes to cell surfaces that contain a ganglioside G m1 ligand.

Cell-specific envelope glycosylation distinguishes FIV glycoproteins produced in cytopathically and noncytopathically infected cells

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection induces syncytium formation and cell death in primary feline astrocyte cultures but persistently and noncytopathically infects Crandall feline kidney cells (CrFK). Because viral envelope glycoproteins are implicated in cell fusion events we evaluated the astrocyte-produced FIV surface glycoprotein for properties that might distinguish it from that produced in CrFK cells. The surface glycoprotein from astrocytes migrated faster on SDS-PAGE and contained more Endo H-sensitive oligosaccharides than that from CrFK, although the precursor and deglycosylated envelope glycoproteins from both cells were the same size. Castanospermine treatment of infected astrocytes, which blocks glucose trimming from oligosaccharide side chains of glycoproteins, both obliterated the mobility difference between astrocyte- and CrFK-produced FIV surface glycoproteins and prevented syncytium in infected astrocyte cultures. These results demonstrate the importance of the infected cell type in viral envelope protein glycosylation and implicate cell type-specific carbohydrate structures on retroviral glycoproteins as mediators of cell fusion.

HMG CoA reductase inhibitors affect Na(+)-H+ antiport activity in human lymphoblasts.

The Na(+)-H+ antiport is a membrane-bound glycoprotein that extrudes intracellular acid loads and regulates cellular volume. Cellular synthesis of the oligosaccharide side chains of glycoproteins is dependent on a supply of mevalonate, itself a product of the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol synthesis 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase. The effect of two HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (simvastatin and 25-hydroxycholesterol) on intracellular pH and Na(+)-H+ exchange was therefore studied. Inhibition of the Na(+)-H+ antiport by these agents led to a fall in intracellular pH but did not impair the regulatory volume increase response to a hypertonic stimulus. The inhibitory effect of simvastatin was prevented by mevalonate but not dolichol or squalene. The effect of 25-hydroxycholesterol was more complex and not easily reversed. Thus HMG CoA reductase inhibitors reduced the ability of human lymphoblasts to expel an intracellular acid load via the Na(+)-H+ antiport, although the response of the antiport to an osmotic stimulus was preserved.

Substrate Specificities of N-Acetylglucosaminyl-, Fucosyl-, and Xylosyltransferases that Modify Glycoproteins in the Golgi Apparatus of Bean Cotyledons

As part of their posttranslational maturation process, newly synthesized glycoproteins that contain N-linked oligosaccharide side chains pass through the Golgi apparatus, where some of their oligosaccharides become modified by carbohydrate processing reactions. In this paper, we report the presence of Golgi-localized enzymes in plant cells (Phaseolus vulgaris cotyledons) that transfer GlcNAc, fucosyl, and xylosyl residues to the oligosaccharide side chains of glycoproteins. All three enzyme activities are involved in the transformation of high mannose side chains into complex glycans. As judged by acceptor specificity studies, at least two GlcNAc residues can be added to the nonreducing side of high mannose oligosaccharides, which have been trimmed by alpha-mannosidase(s). A Man(5)(GlcNAc)(2)-peptide serves as the acceptor for the first GlcNAc added. The second GlcNAc can be added only after the prior removal of two additional mannose residues, ultimately yielding (GlcNAc)(2)Man(3)(GlcNAc)(2)-peptide. Fucosyltransferase can transfer fucose to GlcNAcMan(5)(GlcNAc)(2)Asn, GlcNAcMan(3)(GlcNAc)(2)Asn, and (GlcNAc)(2)Man(3)(GlcNAc)(2)Asn; xylosyltransferase exhibits significant activity toward the latter two substrates only. These results suggest an overlapping sequence of oligosaccharide modification in the Golgi apparatus that, in regard to GlcNAc and fucose additions, is analogous to pathways of oligosaccharide processing reported for animal cells. To our knowledge, this is the first report characterizing a xylosyltransferase involved in N-linked oligosaccharide modification, an activity that is apparently absent in most animal cells.

Oligosaccharide Side Chains of Glycoproteins that Remain in the High-Mannose Form Are Not Accessible to Glycosidases

Glycoproteins present in the soluble and organelle fractions of developing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) cotyledons were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, affinoblotting, fractionation on immobilized concanavalin A (ConA), and digestion of the oligosaccharide side chains with specific glycosidases before and after protein denaturation. These studies led to the following observations. (a) Bean cotyledons contain a large variety of glycoproteins that bind to ConA. Binding to ConA can be eliminated by prior digestion of denatured proteins with alpha-mannosidase or endoglycosidase H, indicating that binding to ConA is mediated by high-mannose oligosaccharide side chains. (b) Bean cotyledons contain a large variety of fucosylated glycoproteins which bind to ConA. Because fucose-containing oligosaccharide side chains do not bind to ConA, such proteins must have both high-mannose and modified oligosaccharides. (c) For all the glycoproteins examined except one, the high-mannose oligosaccharides on the undenatured proteins are accessible to ConA and partially accessible to jack bean alpha-mannosidase. (d) Treatment of the native proteins with alpha-mannosidase removes only 1 or 2 mannose residues from the high-mannose oligosaccharides. Similar treatments of sodium dodecyl sulfate-denatured or pronase-digested glycoproteins removes all alpha-mannose residues. The results support the following conclusions: certain side chains remain unmodified as high-mannose oligosaccharides even though the proteins to which they are attached pass through the Golgi apparatus, where other oligosaccharide chains are modified. The chains remain unmodified because they are not accessible to processing enzymes such as the Golgilocalized alpha-mannosidase.

Characterization and analysis of branched-chain N-acetylglucosaminyl oligosaccharides accumulating in Sandhoff disease tissue. Evidence that biantennary bisected oligosaccharide side chains of glycoproteins are abundant substrates for lysosomes.

Branched chain N-acetylglucosaminyl oligosaccharides accumulating in visceral and neural tissues of two patients with Sandhoff disease were isolated and quantified using high performance liquid chromatography. Detailed structural analysis of the three most abundant fractions, oligosaccharides 4, 5, and 6, was carried out using 360 MHz proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The biantennary bisected heptasaccharide, oligosaccharide 6, was ubiquitously distributed and a major component of the stored oligosaccharides in all tissues analyzed including, liver, spleen, kidney, lung, pancreas, and brain. This analysis indicates that glycoproteins containing biantennary bisected oligosaccharide side chains are abundant substrates for lysosomes in human tissues. Moreover, oligosaccharide 6 was the predominant storage product in brain comprising 70% of the total accumulating water-soluble glycoconjugates. Oligosaccharide 5, a triantennary heptasaccharide, had a similar distribution in visceral tissues and it was the major storage product in pancreas but was at very low levels in brain. These results suggest that the biosynthetic enzymes, GlcNAc transferase III (Narasimham, S. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 10235-10242) and IV (Gleeson, P.A., and Schachter, H. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 6162-6173), which are responsible for synthesis of these structures, have a generalized distribution with varying levels of expression in human viscera, moreover, transferase IV may have limited expression in neural tissue. The proposed structures for the branched-chain compounds are as follows. (formula; see text)