Analysis of Asn-linked glycans from vegetable foodstuffs: widespread occurrence of Lewis a, core alpha1,3-linked fucose and xylose substitutions.

The N-glycans from 27 "plant" foodstuffs, including one from a gymnospermic plant and one from a fungus, were prepared by a new procedure and examined by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). For several samples, glycan structures were additionally investigated by size-fractionation and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography in conjunction with exoglycosidase digests and finally also (1)H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The glycans found ranged from the typical vacuolar "horseradish peroxidase" type and oligomannose to complex Le(a)-carrying structures.

Molecular cloning of cDNA encoding N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II from Arabidopsis thaliana.

N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II (GnTII, EC 2.4.1.

N-Glycan analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of electrophoretically separated nonmammalian proteins: application to peanut allergen Ara h 1 and olive pollen allergen Ole e 1.

A method has been developed which allows the analysis of glycoproteins separated by SDS-PAGE. The procedure, though applicable to N-glycosylated glycoproteins of any origin, is particularly devised for glycoproteins potentially containing fucose in alpha1,3-linkage to the reducing GlcNAc as may be found in plants and invertebrates, e.g.

Molecular cloning and functional expression of beta1, 2-xylosyltransferase cDNA from Arabidopsis thaliana.

The transfer of xylose from UDP-xylose to the core beta-linked mannose of N-linked oligosaccharides by beta1,2-xylosyltransferase (XylT) is a widespread feature of plant glycoproteins which renders them immunogenic and allergenic in man. Here, we report the isolation of the Arabidopsis thaliana XylT gene, which contains two introns and encodes a 60.2 kDa protein with a predicted type II transmembrane protein topology typical for Golgi glycosyltransferases.

Glycosylation of the capsid proteins of cowpea mosaic virus: a reinvestigation shows the absence of sugar residues.

The previously reported (Partridge et al., Nature 247, 391-392, 1974 ) glycosylation of the capsid proteins of cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) has been reinvestigated. In initial studies, a preparation of purified CPMV particles was hydrolysed with HCl and amino acids and sugars were derivatized with o-phthalaldehyde (OPA).

Insect cells as hosts for the expression of recombinant glycoproteins.

Baculovirus-mediated expression in insect cells has become well-established for the production of recombinant glycoproteins. Its frequent use arises from the relative ease and speed with which a heterologous protein can be expressed on the laboratory scale and the high chance of obtaining a biologically active protein. In addition to Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cells, which are probably the most widely used insect cell line, other mainly lepidopteran cell lines are exploited for protein expression.

Fucose in N-glycans: from plant to man.

Fucosylated oligosaccharides occur throughout nature and many of them play a variety of roles in biology, especially in a number of recognition processes. As reviewed here, much of the recent emphasis in the study of the oligosaccharides in mammals has been on their potential medical importance, particularly in inflammation and cancer. Indeed, changes in fucosylation patterns due to different levels of expression of various fucosyltransferases can be used for diagnoses of some diseases and monitoring the success of therapies.

Involvement of carbohydrate epitopes in the IgE response of celery-allergic patients.

Background: This study was performed to get further insights into antibody responses to cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCD), including initial experiments to prove the biological activity of anti-CCD IgE. Earlier studies have shown that IgE specific for CCD occurs in about 25% of celery-allergic patients. The clinical significance of these antibody specificities is doubtful.

Purification, cDNA cloning, and expression of GDP-L-Fuc:Asn-linked GlcNAc alpha1,3-fucosyltransferase from mung beans.

Substitution of the asparagine-linked GlcNAc by alpha1,3-linked fucose is a widespread feature of plant as well as of insect glycoproteins, which renders the N-glycan immunogenic. We have purified from mung bean seedlings the GDP-L-Fuc:Asn-linked GlcNAc alpha1,3-fucosyltransferase (core alpha1,3-fucosyltransferase) that is responsible for the synthesis of this linkage. The major isoform had an apparent mass of 54 kDa and isoelectric points ranging from 6.

Molecular cloning and characterization of cDNA coding for beta1, 2N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GlcNAc-TI) from Nicotiana tabacum.

In plants as well as in animals beta1, 2N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GlcNAc-TI) is a Golgi resident enzyme that catalyzes an essential step in the biosynthetic pathway leading from oligomannosidic N-glycans to complex or hybrid type N-linked oligosaccharides. Employing degenerated primers deduced from known GlcNAc-TI genes from animals, we were able to identify the cDNA coding for GlcNAc-TI from a Nicotiana tabacum cDNA library. The complete nucleotide sequence revealed a 1338 base pair open reading frame that codes for a polypeptide of 446 amino acids.

Structural analysis of N-glycans from allergenic grass, ragweed and tree pollens: core alpha1,3-linked fucose and xylose present in all pollens examined.

The N-glycans from soluble extracts of ten pollens were examined. The pyridylaminated oligosaccharides derived from these sources were subject to gel filtration and reverse-phase HPLC, in conjunction with exoglycosidase digests, and in some cases matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionisation mass spectrometry. In comparison to known structures, it was possible to determine the major structures of the N-glycans derived from Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis), rye (Secale cerale), ryegrass (Lolium perenne), short ragweed (Ambrosia elatior), giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), birch (Betula alba), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), olive (Olea europaea) and snake-skin pine (Pinus leucodermis) pollen extracts.

Structural characterization of the N-linked oligosaccharides from tomato fruit.

The primary structures of the N-linked oligosaccharides from tomato fruit (Lycopersicon esculentum) have been elucidated. For the isolation of the protein fraction, two procedures were employed alternatively: a low temperature acetone powder method and ammonium sulfate precipitation of the tomato extract. After peptic digestion, the glycopeptides were purified by cation-exchange chromatography; the oligosaccharides were released by N-glycosidase A and fluorescently labelled with 2-aminopyridine.

Implications of the grass group I allergens on the sensitization and provocation process.

Grass pollen allergens of group I are particularly important because of their high IgE prevalence and occurrence in all grass species. Four independent IgE-binding regions and one continous epitope were identified. The posttranslational modifications on the molecule increased allergenicity.

Purification and characterization of a hydroperoxidase from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803: identification of its gene by peptide mass mapping using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

A cytosolic catalase-peroxidase from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803 was purified to homogeneity by a six-step purification procedure. It is a homodimeric enzyme with a subunit molecular mass of 85 kDa. The isoelectric point of the protein is at pH 5.

IgE antibodies specific for carbohydrates in a patient allergic to gum arabic (Acacia senegal).

The present study deals with the detailed investigation of the IgE antibody response of a gum arabic-allergic patient. The patient showed multiple serologic and skin test sensitizations to a range of pollen, other inhalants and foods, and bee venom, and to the recombinant allergens Bet v 1 and Bet v 2. Moreover, the patient's serum reacted strongly to gum-arabic extract.

Core alpha1,3-fucose is a key part of the epitope recognized by antibodies reacting against plant N-linked oligosaccharides and is present in a wide variety of plant extracts.

Carbohydrates have been suggested to account for some IgE cross-reactions between various plant, insect, and mollusk extracts, while some IgG antibodies have been successfully raised against plant glycoproteins. A rat monoclonal antibody raised against elderberry abscission tissue (YZ1/2.23) and rabbit polyclonal antiserum against horseradish peroxidase were screened for reactivity in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay against a range of plant glycoproteins and extracts as well as neoglycoproteins, bee venom phospholipase, and several animal glycoproteins.

Concanavalin A binding and endoglycosidase D resistance of beta1,2-xylosylated and alpha1,3-fucosylated plant and insect oligosaccharides.

The binding to concanavalin A (Con A) by pyridylaminated oligosaccharides derived from bromelain (Manalpha1,6(Xylbeta1,2) Manbeta1, 4GlcNAcbeta1,4(Fucalpha1,3)GlcNAc), horseradish peroxidase (Manalpha1,6(Manalpha1,3) (Xylbeta1,2)Manbeta1, 4GlcNAcbeta1,4(Fucalpha1,3) GlcNAc), bee venom phospholipase A2 (Manalpha1,6Manbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta1,4GlcNAc and Manalpha1,6(Manalpha1,3)Manbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta1,4 (Fucalpha1,3)GlcNAc) and zucchini ascorbate oxidase (Manalpha1,6(Manalpha1,3) (Xylbeta1,2)Manbeta1,4 GlcNAcbeta1,4GlcNAc) was compared to the binding by Man3GlcNAc2, Man5GlcNAc2 and the asialo-triantennary complex oligosaccharide from bovine fetuin. While the fetuin oligosaccharide did not bind, bromelain, zucchini, Man2GlcNAc2 and horseradish peroxidase were retarded (in that order). The alpha1,3-fucosylated phospholipase, Man3GlcNAc2 and Man5GlcNAc2 structures were eluted with 15 mM alpha-methylmannoside.

HPLC method for the determination of Fuc to Asn-linked GlcNAc fucosyltransferases.

Mammalian cells often contain an enzyme which transfers fucose onto the reducing terminal GlcNAc (GlcNAc-1) of N-glycans with an alpha1,6-linkage. In plants, on the other hand, the fucose is transferred to GlcNAc-1 with an alpha1,3-inkage. Insect cells can exhibit both enzymatic activities.

Structures of the N-linked carbohydrate of ascorbic acid oxidase from zucchini.

The N-glycan moiety of ascorbic acid oxidase from zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) has been described to be a core-pentasaccharide with a xylose [D'Andrea et al. (1988) Glycoconjugate J 5:151-7]. Ascorbic acid oxidase is sometimes used to characterize antibodies directed against carbohydrate determinants on plant glycoproteins.

Characterisation of peptide-N4-(N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminyl)asparagine amidase A and its N-glycans.

Peptide-N4-(N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminyl)asparagine amidase A (PNGase A) was purified from almonds (Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis). Contrary to previous results in the literature, the enzyme appeared to be a heterodimer with subunits of 55 and 27 kDa when analysed by SDS/PAGE and two-dimensional electrophoresis.

A capillary electrophoretic study on the specificity of beta-galactosidases from Aspergillus oryzae, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Canavalia ensiformis (jack bean).

The specificities of the beta-galactosidases from Aspergillus oryzae, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Canavalia ensiformis (jack bean) have been studied by capillary zone electrophoresis. Various di- and oligosaccharides as well as a biantennary asialo N-glycan were used as substrates. Following enzymatic hydrolysis, the mixtures of substrates and products were derivatized with ethyl 4-aminobenzoate and separated by high-performance capillary electrophoresis in a borate buffer system using uv detection.

Functional purification and characterization of a GDP-fucose: beta-N-acetylglucosamine (Fuc to Asn linked GlcNAc) alpha 1,3-fucosyltransferase from mung beans.

An alpha 1,3-fucosyltransferase was purified 3000-fold from mung bean seedlings by chromatography on DE 52 cellulose and Affigel Blue, by chromatofocusing, gelfiltration and affinity chromatography resulting in an apparently homogenous protein of about 65 kDa on SDS-PAGE. The enzyme transferred fucose from GDP-fucose to the Asn-linked N-acetylglucosaminyl residue of an N-glycan, forming an alpha 1,3-linkage. The enzyme acted upon N-glycopeptides and related oligosaccharides with the glycan structure GlcNAc2Man3 GlcNAc2.

The alpha-D-mannan core of a complex cell-wall heteroglycan of Trichoderma reesei is responsible for beta-glucosidase activation.

A heteroglycan responsible for the binding of the enzyme beta-1,4-D-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.

Insect cells contain an unusual, membrane-bound beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase probably involved in the processing of protein N-glycans.

The beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity in the lepidopteran insect cell line Sf21 has been studied using pyridylaminated oligosaccharides and chromogenic synthetic glycosides as substrates. Ultracentrifugation experiments indicated that the insect cell beta-N-acetylglucosminidase exists in a soluble and a membrane-bound form. This latter form accounted for two-thirds of the total activity and was associated with vesicles of the same density as those containing GlcNAc-transferase I.