GalNAc-Tyrosine Is a Ligand of Plant Lectins, Antibodies, and Human and Murine Macrophage Galactose-Type Lectins

ACS Chem Biol. 2017 Aug 18;12(8):2172-2182. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.7b00471. Epub 2017 Jul 14.

Abstract

In 2011, a new type of protein O-glycosylation was discovered in which N-acetylgalactosamine is attached to the side chain of tyrosine (GalNAc-Tyr). While present on dozens of proteins, the biological roles of GalNAc-Tyr are unknown. To gain insight into this new type of modification, we synthesized a group of GalNAc-Tyr glycopeptides, constructed microarrays, and evaluated potential recognition of GalNAc-Tyr by a series of glycan-binding proteins. Through a series of >150 microarray experiments, we assessed binding properties of a variety of plant lectins, monoclonal antibodies, and endogenous lectins. VVL, HPA, and SBA were all found to bind tightly to GalNAc-Tyr, and several Tn binding antibodies and blood group A antibodies were found to cross-react with GalNAc-Tyr. Thus, detection of GalNAc-Tyr modified proteins is an important consideration when analyzing results from these reagents. Additionally, we evaluated potential recognition by two mammalian lectins, human (hMGL) and murine (mMGL-2) macrophage galactose type C-type lectins. Both hMGL and mMGL-2 bound tightly to GalNAc-Tyr determinants. The apparent Kd values (∼1-40 nM) were on par with some of the best known ligands for MGL, such as the Tn antigen. hMGL also bound the natural beta-amyloid peptide containing a GalNAc-Tyr epitope. STD NMR experiments provided structural insights into the molecular basis of recognition. Finally, GalNAc-Tyr was selectively captured by mMGL-2 positive dendritic cells. These results provide the first evidence that GalNAc-Tyr modified proteins and/or peptides may be ligands for hMGL and mMGL-2 and offer unique structures for the design of MGL targeting agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Acetylgalactosamine / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / chemistry
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / metabolism*
  • Carbohydrate Sequence
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Lectins / metabolism*
  • Lectins, C-Type / chemistry
  • Ligands*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microarray Analysis
  • Plant Lectins / chemistry
  • Plant Lectins / metabolism*
  • Tyrosine / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Lectins
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Ligands
  • MGL2 protein, mouse
  • Plant Lectins
  • Tyrosine
  • Acetylgalactosamine