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Nana Kawasaki

Publications and source records attributed to Nana Kawasaki.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Comparison of the methods for profiling glycoprotein glycans--HUPO Human Disease Glycomics/Proteome Initiative multi-institutional study.

Mass spectrometry (MS) of glycoproteins is an emerging field in proteomics, poised to meet the technical demand for elucidation of the structural complexity and functions of the oligosaccharide components of molecules. Considering the divergence of the mass spectrometric methods employed for oligosaccharide analysis in recent publications, it is necessary to establish technical standards and demonstrate capabilities. In the present study of the Human Proteome Organisation (HUPO) Human Disease Glycomics/Proteome Initiative (HGPI), the same samples of transferrin and immunoglobulin-G were analyzed for N-linked oligosaccharides and their relative abundances in 20 laboratories, and the chromatographic and mass spectrometric analysis results were evaluated. In general, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight MS of permethylated oligosaccharide mixtures carried out in six laboratories yielded good quantitation, and the results can be correlated to those of chromatography of reductive amination derivatives. For underivatized oligosaccharide alditols, graphitized carbon-liquid chromatography (LC)/electrospray ionization (ESI) MS detecting deprotonated molecules in the negative ion mode provided acceptable quantitation. The variance of the results among these three methods was small. Detailed analyses of tryptic glycopeptides employing either nano LC/ESI MS/MS or MALDI MS demonstrated excellent capability to determine site-specific or subclass-specific glycan profiles in these samples. Taking into account the variety of MS technologies and options for distinct protocols used in this study, the results of this multi-institutional study indicate that MS-based analysis appears as the efficient method for identification and quantitation of oligosaccharides in glycomic studies and endorse the power of MS for glycopeptide characterization with high sensitivity in proteomic programs.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

Deletion of core fucosylation on alpha3beta1 integrin down-regulates its functions.

The core fucosylation (alpha1,6-fucosylation) of glycoprotein is widely distributed in mammalian tissues. Recently alpha1,6-fucosylation has been further reported to be very crucial by the study of alpha1,6-fucosyltransferase (Fut8)-knock-out mice, which shows the phenotype of emphysema-like changes in the lung and severe growth retardation. In this study, we extensively investigated the effect of core fucosylation on alpha3beta1 integrin and found for the first time that Fut8 makes an important contribution to the functions of this integrin. The role of core fucosylation in alpha3beta1 integrin-mediated events has been studied by using Fut8(+/+) and Fut8(-/-) embryonic fibroblasts, respectively. We found that the core fucosylation of alpha3beta1 integrin, the major receptor for laminin 5, was abundant in Fut8(+/+) cells but was totally abolished in Fut8(-/-) cells, which was associated with the deficient migration mediated by alpha3beta1 integrin in Fut8(-/-) cells. Moreover integrin-mediated cell signaling was reduced in Fut8(-/-) cells. The reintroduction of Fut8 potentially restored laminin 5-induced migration and intracellular signaling. Collectively, these results suggested that core fucosylation is essential for the functions of alpha3beta1 integrin.

Animals↗

N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III antagonizes the effect of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V on alpha3beta1 integrin-mediated cell migration.

N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT-V) catalyzes the addition of beta1,6-GlcNAc branching of N-glycans, which contributes to metastasis. N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III) catalyzes the formation of a bisecting GlcNAc structure in N-glycans, resulting in the suppression of metastasis. It has long been hypothesized that the suppression of GnT-V product formation by the action of GnT-III would also exist in vivo, which will consequently lead to the inhibition of biological functions of GnT-V. To test this, we draw a comparison among MKN45 cells, which were transfected with GnT-III, GnT-V, or both, respectively. We found that alpha3beta1 integrin-mediated cell migration on laminin 5 was greatly enhanced in the case of GnT-V transfectant. This enhanced cell migration was significantly blocked after the introduction of GnT-III. Consistently, an increase in bisected GlcNAc but a decrease in beta1,6-GlcNAc-branched N-glycans on integrin alpha3 subunit was observed in the double transfectants of GnT-III and GnT-V. Conversely, GnT-III knockdown resulted in increased migration on laminin 5, concomitant with an increase in beta1,6-GlcNAc-branched N-glycans on the alpha3 subunit in CHP134 cells, a human neuroblastoma cell line. Therefore, in this study, the priority of GnT-III for the modification of the alpha3 subunit may be an explanation for why GnT-III inhibits GnT-V-induced cell migration. Taken together, our results demonstrate for the first time that GnT-III and GnT-V can competitively modify the same target glycoprotein and furthermore positively or negatively regulate its biological functions.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

N-linked oligosaccharide analysis of rat brain Thy-1 by liquid chromatography with graphitized carbon column/ion trap-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry in positive and negative ion modes.

We have previously described the site-specific glycosylation analysis of rat brain Thy-1 by LC/multistage tandem mass spectrometry (MS(n)) using proteinase-digested Thy-1. In the present study, detailed structures of oligosaccharides released from Thy-1 were elucidated by mass spectrometric oligosaccharide profiling using LC/MS with a graphitized carbon column (GCC-LC/MS). First, using model oligosaccharides, we improved the oligosaccharide profiling by ion trap mass spectrometry (IT-MS) coupled with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS). Sequential scanning of a full MS(1) scan with FT-ICR-MS followed by data-dependent MS(n) with IT-MS in positive ion mode, and a subsequent full MS(1) scan with FT-ICR-MS followed by data-dependent MS(n) with IT-MS in negative ion mode enabled the monosaccharide composition analysis as well as profiling and sequencing of both neutral and acidic oligosaccharides in a single analysis. The improved oligosaccharide profiling was applied to elucidation of N-linked oligosaccharides from Thy-1 isolated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It was demonstrated that Thy-1 possesses a significant variety of N-linked oligosaccharides, including Lewis a/x, Lewis b/y, and disialylated structure as a partial structure. Our method could be applicable to analysis of a small abundance of glycoproteins, and could become a powerful tool for glycoproteomics.

Animals↗

Site-specific N-glycosylation analysis of human plasma ceruloplasmin using liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

Ceruloplasmin has ferroxidase activity and plays an essential role in iron metabolism. In this study, a site-specific glycosylation analysis of human ceruloplasmin (CP) was carried out using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). A tryptic digest of carboxymethylated CP was subjected to LC-ESI-MS/MS. Product ion spectra acquired data-dependently were used for both distinction of the glycopeptides from the peptides using the carbohydrate B-ions, such as m/z 204 (HexNAc) and m/z 366 (HexHexNAc), and identification of the peptide moiety of the glycopeptide based on the presence of the b- and y-series ions derived from the peptide. Oligosaccharide composition was deduced from the molecular weight calculated from the observed mass of the glycopeptide and theoretical mass of the peptide. Of the seven potential N-glycosylation sites, four (Asn119, Asn339, Asn378, and Asn743) were occupied by a sialylated biantennary or triantennary oligosaccharide with fucose residues (0, 1, or 2). A small amount of sialylated tetraantennary oligosaccharide was detected. Exoglycosidase digestion suggested that fucose residues were linked to reducing end GlcNAc in biantennary oligosaccharides and to reducing end and/or alpha1-3 to outer arms GlcNAc in triantennary oligosaccharides and that roughly one of the antennas in triantennary oligosaccharides was alpha2-3 sialylated and occasionally alpha1-3 fucosylated at GlcNAc.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of a gel-separated unknown glycoprotein by liquid chromatography/multistage tandem mass spectrometry: analysis of rat brain Thy-1 separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

We developed an efficient and convenient strategy for protein identification and glycosylation analysis of a small amount of unknown glycoprotein in a biological sample. The procedure involves isolation of proteins by electrophoresis and mass spectrometric peptide/glycopeptide mapping by LC/ion trap mass spectrometer. For the complete glycosylation analysis, proteins were extracted in intact form from the gel, and proteinase-digested glycoproteins were then subjected to LC/multistage tandem MS (MSn) incorporating a full mass scan, in-source collision-induced dissociation (CID), and data-dependent MSn. The glycopeptides were localized in the peptide/glycopeptide map by using oxonium ions such as HexNAc+ and NeuAc+, generated by in-source CID, and neutral loss by CID-MS/MS. We conducted the search analysis for the glycopeptide identification using search parameters containing a possible glycosylation at the Asn residue with N-acetylglucosamine (203 Da). We were able to identify the glycopeptides resulting from predictable digestion with proteinase. The glycopeptides caused by irregular cleavages were not identified by the database search analysis, but their elution positions were localized using oxonium ions produced by in-source CID, and neutral loss by the data-dependent MSn. Then, all glycopeptides could be identified based on the product ion spectra which were sorted from data-dependent CID-MSn spectra acquired around localized positions. Using this strategy, we successfully elucidated site-specific glycosylation of Thy-1, glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins glycosylated at Asn23, 74, and 98, and at Cys111. High-mannose-type, complex-type, and hybrid-type oligosaccharides were all found to be attached to Asn23, 74 and 98, and four GPI structures could be characterized. Our method is simple, rapid and useful for the characterization of unknown glycoproteins in a complex mixture of proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mannan-binding protein blocks the activation of metalloproteases meprin alpha and beta.

Mannan-binding protein (MBP) is a C-type serum lectin that is known to be a host defense factor involved in innate immunity, and recognizes mannose, fucose, and N-acetylglucosamine residues. Although some exogenous MBP ligands have been reported, little is known about its endogenous ligands. In the present study, we found that endogenous MBP ligands are highly expressed in the brush border epithelial cells of kidney-proximal tubules by immunohistochemistry, and both meprin alpha and beta (meprins), as novel endogenous MBP ligands, have been identified through affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry. Meprins are membrane-bound and secreted zinc metalloproteases extensively glycosylated and highly expressed in kidney and small intestinal epithelial cells, leukocytes, and certain cancer cells. Meprins are capable of cleaving growth factors, extracellular matrix proteins, and biologically active peptides. Deglycosylation experiments indicated that the MBP ligands on meprins are high mannose- or complex-type N-glycans. The interaction of MBP with meprins resulted in significant decreases in the proteolytic activity and matrix-degrading ability of meprins. Our results suggest that core N-linked oligosaccharides on meprins are associated with the optimal enzymatic activity and that MBP is an important regulator for modulation of the localized meprin proteolytic activity via N-glycan binding. Because meprins are known to be some of the major matrix-degrading metalloproteases in the kidney and intestine, MBP, which functions as a natural and effective inhibitor of meprins, may contribute, as a potential therapeutic target, to tumor progression by facilitating the migration, intravasation, and metastasis of carcinoma cells, and to acute renal failure and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A non-sulfated form of the HNK-1 carbohydrate is expressed in mouse kidney.

The HNK-1 carbohydrate, which is recognized by anti-HNK-1 antibody, is well known to be expressed predominantly in the nervous system. The characteristic structural feature of the HNK-1 carbohydrate is 3-sulfo-glucuronyl residues attached to lactosamine structures (Gal beta1-4GlcNAc) on glycoproteins and glycolipids. The biosynthesis of the HNK-1 carbohydrate is regulated mainly by two glucuronyltransferases (GlcAT-P and GlcAT-S) and a sulfotransferase. In this study, we found that GlcAT-S mRNA was expressed at higher levels in the kidney than in the brain, but that both GlcAT-P and HNK-1 sulfotransferase mRNAs, which were expressed at high levels in the brain, were not detected in the kidney. These results suggested that the HNK-1 carbohydrate without sulfate (non-sulfated HNK-1 carbohydrate) is expressed in the kidney. We substantiated this hypothesis using two different monoclonal antibodies: one (anti-HNK-1 antibody) requires sulfate on glucuronyl residues for its binding, and the other (antibody M6749) does not. Western blot analyses of mouse kidney revealed that two major bands (80 and 140 kDa) were detected with antibody M6749, but not with anti-HNK-1 antibody. The 80- and 140-kDa band materials were identified as meprin alpha and CD13/aminopeptidase N, respectively. We also confirmed the presence of the non-sulfated HNK-1 carbohydrate on N-linked oligosaccharides by multistage tandem mass spectrometry. Immunofluorescence staining with antibody M6749 revealed that the non-sulfated HNK-1 carbohydrate was expressed predominantly on the apical membranes of the proximal tubules in the cortex and was also detected in the thin ascending limb in the inner medulla. This is the first study indicating the presence of the non-sulfated HNK-1 carbohydrate being synthesized by GlcAT-S in the kidney. The results presented here constitute novel knowledge concerning the function of the HNK-1 carbohydrate.

Animals↗

Isotope tag method for quantitative analysis of carbohydrates by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

We have previously demonstrated that liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry equipped with a graphitized carbon column (GCC-LC/MS) is useful for the structural analysis of carbohydrates in a glycoprotein. Here, we studied the monosaccharide composition analysis and quantitative oligosaccharide profiling by GCC-LC/MS. Monosaccharides were labeled with 2-aminopyridine and then separated and monitored by GCC-LC/MS in the selective ion mode. The use of tetradeuterium-labeled pyridylamino (d4-PA) monosaccharides as internal standards, which were prepared by the tagging of standard monosaccharides with hexadeuterium-labeled 2-aminopyridine (d6-AP), afforded a good linearity and reproducibility in ESIMS analysis. This method was successfully applied to the monosaccharide composition analysis of model glycoproteins, fetuin, and erythropoietin. For quantitative oligosaccharide profiling, oligosaccharides released from an analyte and a standard glycoprotein were tagged with d0- and d6-AP, respectively, and an equal amount of d0- and d4-PA oligosaccharides were coinjected into GCC-LC/MS. In this procedure, the oligosaccharides that existed in either analyte or a standard glycoprotein appeared as single ions, and the oligosaccharides that existed in both analyte and a standard glycoprotein were detected as paired ions. The relative amount of analyte oligosaccharides could be determined on the basis of the analyte/internal standard ion-pair intensity ratio. The quantitative oligosaccharide profiling enabled us to make a quantitative and qualitative comparison of glycosylation between the analyte and standard glycoproteins. The isotope tag method can be applicable for quality control and comparability assessment of glycoprotein products as well as the analysis of glycan alteration in some diseases.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗

Glycomic/glycoproteomic analysis by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry: analysis of glycan structural alteration in cells.

The alteration of glycosyltransferase expression and the subsequent changes in oligosaccharide structures are reported in several diseases. The analysis of glycan structural alteration in glycoproteins is becoming increasingly important in the discovery of therapies and diagnostic markers. In this study, we propose a strategy for glycomic/glycoproteomic analysis based on oligosaccharide profiling by LC/MS followed by proteomic approaches, including 2-DE and 2-D lectin blot. As a model of aberrant cells, we used Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III), which catalyzes the addition of a bisecting N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) to beta-mannose of the mannosyl core of N-linked oligosaccharides. LC/MS equipped with a graphitized carbon column (GCC) enabled us to elucidate the structural alteration induced by the GnT-III expression. Using 2-D lectin blot followed by LC/MS/MS, the protein carrying an extra N-acetylhexosamine in cells transfected with GnT-III was successfully identified as integrin alpha3. Thus, oligosaccharide profiling by GCC-LC/MS followed by proteomic methods can be a powerful tool for glycomic/glycoproteomic analysis.

Animals↗

Specific detection of Lewis x-carbohydrates in biological samples using liquid chromatography/multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry.

The Lewis x structure [Lex, Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAc] motif is one of the tumor antigens and plays an important role in oncogenesis, development, cellular differentiation and adhesion. The detection of Lex-carbohydrates and their structural analysis are necessary to clarify the role of Lex in several biological events. Mass spectrometry has been preferably used for the structural analysis of carbohydrates. Especially, collision-induced dissociation (CID) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), which causes a glycosidic bond cleavage, is used for carbohydrate sequencing. However, Lex cannot be identified by MS/MS due to the existence of the positional isomers, such as Lewis a [Galbeta1-3(alpha1-4Fuc)GlcNAc]. In the present study, we demonstrate the specific detection of Lex-carbohydrates in a biological sample by using multiple-stage MS/MS (MSn). Using pyridylaminated oligosaccharides bearing Lex, we found that the Lex-motif yields a cross-ring fragment by the cleavage of a bond between C-3 and C-4 of GlcNAc in Gal(Fuc)GlcNAc. The Lex-specific cross-ring fragment ion at m/z 259 was effectively detected by sequential scans, consisting of a full MS1 scan, data-dependent CID MS2 scan, MS3 of [Gal(Fuc)GlcNAc+Na]+ at m/z 534, and MS4 of [GalGlcNAc+Na]+ at m/z 388. The sequential scan was applied to N-linked oligosaccharide profiling using a LC/ESI-MSn system equipped with a graphitized carbon column. We successfully detected the Lex-motif and elucidated the structures of several Lex and Lewis y [(Fucalpha1-2)Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAc] oligosaccharides in the murine kidney used as a model tissue. Our method is expected to be a powerful tool for the specific detection of the Lex-motif, and structural elucidation of Lex-carbohydrates in biological samples.

Animals↗

Monosaccharide composition analysis of glycoproteins by isotope-tag method and capillary LC/ESI-MS.

AIM: To develop a rapid and sensitive method for monosaccharide composition analysis. METHODS: Glycoprotein was first hydrolyzed to monosaccharides, which were subsequently reacetylated (amino monosaccharides), tagged with 2-aminopyridine and then separated and monitored in selected ion mode by CapGCC-LC/MS. The use of tetradeuterium labeled-aminopyridyl-monosaccharides prepared by tagging monosacahrides with hexadeuterium labeled 2-aminopyridine as internal standards improved the linearity and reproducibility in quantification. RESULTS: This method was successfully applied to monosaccharide composition analysis of model glycoproteins, fetuin and erythropoietin down to 1 pmol monosaccharides. CONCLUSION: This method has been shown to be highly sensitive and is applicable to monosaccharide composition analysis of glycoproteins.

Animals↗

Site-specific glycosylation analysis of human apolipoprotein B100 using LC/ESI MS/MS.

Human apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100) has 19 potential N-glycosylation sites, and 16 asparagine residues were reported to be occupied by high-mannose type, hybrid type, and monoantennary and biantennary complex type oligosaccharides. In the present study, a site-specific glycosylation analysis of apoB100 was carried out using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI MS/MS). ApoB100 was reduced, carboxymethylated, and then digested by trypsin or chymotrypsin. The complex mixture of peptides and glycopeptides was subjected to LC/ESI MS/MS, where product ion spectra of the molecular ions were acquired data-dependently. The glycopeptide ions were extracted and confirmed by the presence of carbohydrate-specific fragment ions, such as m/z 204 (HexNAc) and 366 (HexHexNAc), in the product ion spectra. The peptide moiety of glycopeptide was determined by the presence of the b- and y-series ions derived from its amino acid sequence in the product ion spectrum, and the oligosaccharide moiety was deduced from the calculated molecular mass of the oligosaccharide. The heterogeneity of carbohydrate structures at 17 glycosylation sites was determined using this methodology. Our data showed that Asn2212, not previously identified as a site of glycosylation, could be glycosylated. It was also revealed that Asn158, 1341, 1350, 3309, and 3331 were occupied by high-mannose type oligosaccharides, and Asn 956, 1496, 2212, 2752, 2955, 3074, 3197, 3438, 3868, 4210, and 4404 were predominantly occupied by mono- or disialylated oligosaccharides. Asn3384, the nearest N-glycosylation site to the LDL-receptor binding site (amino acids 3359-3369), was occupied by a variety of oligosaccharides, including high-mannose, hybrid, and complex types. These results are useful for understanding the structure of LDL particles and oligosaccharide function in LDL-receptor ligand binding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Kinetic analysis of pepsin digestion of chicken egg white ovomucoid and allergenic potential of pepsin fragments.

BACKGROUND: The allergenic potential of chicken egg white ovomucoid (OVM) is thought to depend on its stability to heat treatment and digestion. Pepsin-digested fragments have been speculated to continue to exert an allergenic potential. OVM was digested in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) to examine the reactivity of the resulting fragments to IgE in sera from allergic patients. METHODS: OVM was digested in SGF and subjected to SDS-PAGE. The detected fragments were then subjected to N-terminal sequencing and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry analysis to confirm the cleavage sites and partial amino acid sequences. The reactivity of the fragments to IgE antibodies in serum samples from patients allergic to egg white was then determined using Western blotting (n=24). RESULTS: The rate of OVM digestion depended on the pepsin/OVM ratio in the SGF. OVM was first cleaved near the end of the first domain, and the resulting fragments were then further digested into smaller fragments. In the Western blot analysis, 93% of the OVM-reactive sera also bound to the 23.5- to 28.5-kDa fragments, and 21% reacted with the smaller 7- and 4.5-kDa fragments. CONCLUSION: When the digestion of OVM in SGF was kinetically analyzed, 21% of the examined patients retained their IgE-binding capacity to the small 4.5-kDa fragment. Patients with a positive reaction to this small peptide fragment were thought to be unlikely to outgrow their egg white allergy. The combination of SGF-digestibility studies and human IgE-binding experiments seems to be useful for the elucidation and diagnosis of the allergenic potential of OVM.

Allergens↗

Profiling analysis of oligosaccharides in antibody pharmaceuticals by capillary electrophoresis.

Carbohydrate chains in glycoprotein pharmaceuticals have important roles for the expression of their biological activities. Therefore, development of an assessment method for the carbohydrate chains is an important parameter for quality control of glycoprotein pharmaceuticals such as newly developed therapeutic antibodies. In this report, we applied capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection to the analysis of carbohydrate chains after releasing with glycoamidase followed by derivatization with 3-aminobenzoic acid. We found that four major oligosaccharides present in antibody pharmaceuticals were successfully separated with good resolution. The present method showed good precision in both migration times and relative peak areas, and gave comparable accuracy with that using a derivatization method with 8-aminopyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonate.

Aminobenzoates↗

Analysis of site-specific glycosylation in recombinant human follistatin expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Follistatin (FS), a glycoprotein, plays an important role in cell growth and differentiation through the neutralization of the biological activities of activins. In this study, we analyzed the glycosylation of recombinant human FS (rhFS) produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The results of SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF MS revealed the presence of both non-glycosylated and glycosylated forms. FS contains two potential N-glycosylation sites, Asn95 and Asn259. Using mass spectrometric peptide/glycopeptide mapping and precursor-ion scanning, we found that both N-glycosylation sites were partially glycosylated. Monosaccharide composition analyses suggested the linkages of fucosylated bi- and triantennary complex-type oligosaccharides on rhFS. This finding was supported by mass spectrometric oligosaccharide profiling, in which the m/z values and elution times of some of the oligosaccharides from rhFS were in good agreement with those of standard oligosaccharides. Site-specific glycosylation was deduced on the basis of the mass spectra of the glycopeptides. It was suggested that biantennary oligosaccharides are major oligosaccharides located at both Asn95 and Asn259, whereas the triantennary structures are present mainly at Asn95.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Enhancement of hepatocyte growth factor-induced cell scattering in N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III-transfected HepG2 cells.

N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III), which catalyzes the synthesis of a bisecting GlcNAc residue of N-glycans, is thought to be involved in the function of glycoproteins such as growth factor receptors. We investigated the effects of the overexpression of GnT-III on the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor c-Met, a glycoprotein, in human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. GnT-III activity was elevated about 250-fold in HepG2 cells stably transfected with the GnT-III gene, whereas no significant change in GnT-III activity was observed in mock transfectants. Cell scattering assay revealed that HGF-induced cell scattering was enhanced depending on the GnT-III activities in the GnT-III transfectants. Western blot analysis and E-PHA lectin blot analysis showed that the level of c-Met protein was the same in both transfectants; however, the bisecting GlcNAc residue on c-Met was detected only in the GnT-III transfectants. Although the peak level of c-Met phosphorylation was not different in both transfectants, the level of tyrosine phosphorylation of c-Met decreased more rapidly in the GnT-III transfectants than in the mock transfectants. Furthermore, HGF-induced extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation was slightly higher in the GnT-III transfectants than in the mock transfectants. These results show that overexpression of GnT-III in HepG2 cells enhances HGF-induced cell scattering, which may result from, at least in part, enhancement of HGF-induced ERK phosphorylation.

Cell Line, Tumor↗