N-glycan structures of pigeon IgG: a major serum glycoprotein containing Galalpha1-4 Gal termini

J Biol Chem. 2003 Nov 21;278(47):46293-306. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M307132200. Epub 2003 Sep 9.

Abstract

We had shown previously that all major glycoproteins of pigeon egg white contain Galalpha1-4Gal epitopes (Suzuki, N., Khoo, K. H., Chen, H. C., Johnson, J. R., and Lee, Y. C. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 23221-23229). We now report that Galalpha1-4Gal-bearing glycoproteins are also present in pigeon serum, lymphocytes, and liver, as probed by Western blot with Griffonia simplicifolia-I lectin (specific for terminal alpha-Gal) and anti-P1 (specific for Galalpha1-4Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-) monoclonal antibody. One of the major glycoproteins from pigeon plasma was identified as IgG (also known as IgY), which has Galalpha1-4Gal in its heavy chains. High pressure liquid chromatography, mass spectrometric (MS), and MS/MS analyses revealed that N-glycans of pigeon serum IgG included (i) high mannose-type (33.3%), (ii) disialylated biantennary complex-type (19.2%), and (iii) alpha-galactosylated complex-type N-glycans (47.5%). Bi- and tri-antennary oligosaccharides with bisecting GlcNAc and alpha1-6 Fuc on the Asn-linked GlcNAc were abundant among N-glycans possessing terminal Galalpha1-4Gal sequences. Moreover, MS/MS analysis identified Galalpha1-4Galbeta1-4Galbeta1-4GlcNAc branch terminals, which are not found in pigeon egg white glycoproteins. An additional interesting aspect is that about two-thirds of high mannose-type N-glycans from pigeon IgG were monoglucosylated. Comparison of the N-glycan structures with chicken and quail IgG indicated that the presence of high mannose-type oligosaccharides may be a characteristic of these avian IgG.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Columbidae / immunology*
  • Disaccharides*
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / chemistry*
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / chemistry
  • Liver / chemistry
  • Liver / immunology
  • Lymphocytes / chemistry
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Mannose / analysis
  • Polysaccharides / analysis
  • Polysaccharides / blood
  • Polysaccharides / chemistry*

Substances

  • Disaccharides
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
  • Polysaccharides
  • 4-O-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-D-galactose
  • Mannose