Schistosoma mansoni {alpha}1,3-fucosyltransferase-F generates the Lewis X antigen

Genetic evidence suggests that the Schistosoma mansoni genome contains six genes that encode α1,3-fucosyltransferases (smFuTs). To date, the activities and specificities of these putative fucosyltransferases are unknown. As Schistosoma express a variety of fucosylated glycans, including the Lewis X antigen Galβ1–4(Fucα1–3)GlcNAcβ-R, it is likely that this family of genes encode enzymes that are partly responsible for the generation of those structures. Here, we report the molecular cloning of fucosyltransferase-F (smFuT-F) from S. mansoni, as a soluble, green fluorescent protein fusion protein and its acceptor specificity. The gene smFuT-F was expressed in HEK freestyle cells, purified by affinity chromatography, and analyzed toward a broad panel of glycan acceptors. The enzyme product of smFuT-F effectively utilizes a type II chain acceptor Galβ1–4GlcNAc-R, but notably not the LDN sequence GalNAcβ1–4GlcNAc-R, to generate Lewis X type-glycans, and smFuT-F transcripts are present in all intramammalian life stages.

Source: Glycobiology - February 2, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Mickum, M. L., Rojsajjakul, T., Yu, Y., Cummings, R. D. Tags: Glycan Synthesis Source Type: research