Direct in-gel fluorescence detection and cellular imaging of O-GlcNAc-modified proteins

J Am Chem Soc. 2008 Sep 3;130(35):11576-7. doi: 10.1021/ja8030467. Epub 2008 Aug 7.

Abstract

We report an advanced chemoenzymatic strategy for the direct fluorescence detection, proteomic analysis, and cellular imaging of O-GlcNAc-modified proteins. O-GlcNAc residues are selectively labeled with fluorescent or biotin tags using an engineered galactosyltransferase enzyme and [3 + 2] azide-alkyne cycloaddition chemistry. We demonstrate that this approach can be used for direct in-gel detection and mass spectrometric identification of O-GlcNAc proteins, identifying 146 novel glycoproteins from the mammalian brain. Furthermore, we show that the method can be exploited to quantify dynamic changes in cellular O-GlcNAc levels and to image O-GlcNAc-glycosylated proteins within cells. As such, this strategy enables studies of O-GlcNAc glycosylation that were previously inaccessible and provides a new tool for uncovering the physiological functions of O-GlcNAc.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylglucosamine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Acetylglucosamine / analysis
  • Acetylglucosamine / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Biotin / analogs & derivatives
  • Biotin / chemistry
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Fluorescence
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Galactosyltransferases / chemistry
  • Galactosyltransferases / metabolism
  • Glycosylation
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Neurons / chemistry
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Proteins / analysis*
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Proteomics / methods
  • Rats

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Proteins
  • Biotin
  • Galactosyltransferases
  • Acetylglucosamine