Loss of expression of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase Va results in altered gene expression of glycosyltransferases and galectins

FEBS Lett. 2008 Feb 20;582(4):527-35. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2008.01.015. Epub 2008 Jan 28.

Abstract

We isolated mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) from N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase Va (GnT-Va) knockout mice and studied the effects of loss of expression of GnT-Va on asparagine-linked glycans (N-glycan) synthesis and the gene expression of groups of glycosyltransferases and galectins. Loss of GnT-Va expression caused aberrant expression of several N-glycan structures, including N-linked beta(1,6) branching, poly-N-lactosamine, bisecting N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and sialic acid. Using quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR), altered gene expression of several groups of glycosyltransferases and galectins was observed in GnT-Va null MEFs, supporting the observed changes in N-glycan structures. These results suggest that genetic disruption of GnT-Va ultimately resulted in altered MEFs gene expression and decreased tumor progression associated with loss of GnT-Va observed may result in part from a combination of effects from these altered gene expressions.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • DNA Primers
  • Galectins / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / genetics
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Galectins
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases
  • alpha-1,6-mannosylglycoprotein beta 1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase