A Sweet Embrace: Control of Protein-Protein Interactions by O-Linked β-N-Acetylglucosamine

Biochemistry. 2018 Jan 9;57(1):13-21. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00871. Epub 2017 Nov 20.

Abstract

O-Linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is a critical post-translational modification (PTM) of thousands of intracellular proteins. Reversible O-GlcNAcylation governs many aspects of cell physiology and is dysregulated in numerous human diseases. Despite this broad pathophysiological significance, major aspects of O-GlcNAc signaling remain poorly understood, including the biochemical mechanisms through which O-GlcNAc transduces information. Recent work from many laboratories, including our own, has revealed that O-GlcNAc, like other intracellular PTMs, can control its substrates' functions by inhibiting or inducing protein-protein interactions. This dynamic regulation of multiprotein complexes exerts diverse downstream signaling effects in a range of processes, cell types, and organisms. Here, we review the literature about O-GlcNAc-regulated protein-protein interactions and suggest important questions for future studies in the field.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetylglucosamine / chemistry
  • Acetylglucosamine / metabolism*
  • Aminoacylation
  • Animals
  • Biochemistry / methods*
  • Biochemistry / trends
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological*
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
  • Protein Multimerization
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational*
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Acetylglucosamine