Deconvoluting the functions of polypeptide N-alpha-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase family members by glycopeptide substrate profiling

Chem Biol. 2004 Jul;11(7):1009-16. doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2004.05.009.

Abstract

The polypeptide N-alpha-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases (ppGalNAcTs) play a key role in mucin-type O-linked glycan biosynthesis by installing the initial GalNAc residue on the protein scaffold. The preferred substrates and functions of the >20 isoforms in mammals are not well understood. However, current data suggest that glycosylated mucin domains are created by the successive, often hierarchical, action of several specific ppGalNAcTs. Herein we analyzed the glycopeptide substrate preferences of several ppGalNAcT family members using a library screening approach. A 56-member glycopeptide library designed to reflect a diversity of glycan clustering was assayed for substrate activity with ppGalNAcT isoforms using an azido-ELISA. The data suggest that the ppGalNAcTs can be classified into at least four types, which working together, are able to produce densely glycosylated mucin glycoproteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Glycopeptides / chemistry
  • Glycopeptides / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Glycopeptides
  • N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferases