Analysis of N-glycan in serum glycoproteins from db/db mice and humans with type 2 diabetes

Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Oct;293(4):E1069-77. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00182.2007. Epub 2007 Jul 31.

Abstract

Glycosylation has an important role in regulating properties of proteins and is associated with many diseases. To examine the alteration of serum N-glycans in type 2 diabetes, we used the db/db mouse model. Serum N-glycans were fluorescence labeled and applied to HPLC. There were reproducible differences in N-glycan profiles between the db/db mouse model and the db/+ control. The structures of the oligosaccharides, which had changed in their amounts, were analyzed by a two-dimensional mapping method, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and exoglycosidase digestion. Those analyses revealed an increase in the N-glycans possessing alpha1,6-fucose in the serum of db/db mice. The level of alpha1,6-fucosyltransferase mRNA was increased in the liver of the db/db mice. The ratio of a biantennary N-glycan with alpha1,6-fucose to that without alpha1,6-fucose in the liver tissue of the db/db mouse was increased relative to the db/+ control. Next, we analyzed the serum N-glycan profile in human subjects with type 2 diabetes and found an increased amount of a biantennary N-glycan that had an alpha1,6-fucose with a bisecting N-acetylglucosamine. In conclusion, the increase in alpha1,6-fucosylation is a striking change in the serum N-glycans of the db/db mice, whereas the change in the fucosylation in humans with type 2 diabetes was small, albeit statistically significant. It is likely that the change is caused, at least partially, by the increase in the alpha1,6-fucosyltransferase mRNA level in the liver. The increased alpha1,6-fucosylation may affect protein properties associated with the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / enzymology
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Carbohydrate Sequence
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / blood*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood*
  • Female
  • Fucosyltransferases / genetics
  • Fucosyltransferases / metabolism
  • Glycoproteins / blood*
  • Glycoproteins / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Kidney / enzymology
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polysaccharides / analysis*

Substances

  • Glycoproteins
  • Polysaccharides
  • Fucosyltransferases
  • Glycoprotein 6-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase