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PubMed1976

Glycoprotein synthesis in gastric epithelial cells of the rat. Properties of microsomal glycoprotein glycosyltransferases.

1. Optimal assay conditions were determined for a microsomal glycoprotein galactosyl- and fucosyltransferase derived from gastric epithelial scrapings with both exogenous and endogenous acceptor glycoprotein. 2. Subcellular fractionation of the homogenate yielded microsomal fractions enriched in glycosyltransferases. 3. The effect of feeding on galactosyltransferase activity per cell was examined. 4. Endogenous acceptor molecules were identified as glycoproteins after labeling by means of UDP-[3H]galactose in the cell-free system.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Further studies on the topography of human platelet glycoprotein IIb. Localization of monoclonal antibody epitopes and the putative glycoprotein IIa- and fibrinogen-binding regions.

Glycoprotein IIb (GPIIb) is a major glycoprotein of the human platelet plasma membrane, which together with glycoprotein IIIa (GPIIIa) forms a Ca2(+)-dependent heterodimer, GPIIb/IIIa, which serves as the major fibrinogen receptor in activated platelets. The precise localization of the epitopes for six anti-GPIIb monoclonal antibodies (M1-M6) has been determined by a combination of enzymic and chemical cleavage procedures, peptide isolation, N-terminal sequence analysis, peptide synthesis and enzyme immunoassay. The following localizations were found: M1, beta 1-16-36, beta 2-4-24; M2, alpha 747-755; M alpha 2, alpha 837-843; M3, alpha 849-857; M4, alpha 143-151; M5, alpha 550-558; M6, alpha 657-665. Besides considerations of the degree of exposure of these epitopes, several remarkable features are readily apparent. The earliest and main chymotryptic cleavage site of GPIIb in whole platelets is between alpha cysteine-545 and alpha phenylalanine-551. The epitope for M3 was located within the same sequence (alpha 842-857) as is the epitope for PMI-1 [Loftus, Plow, Frelinger, D'Souza, Dixon, Lacy, Sorge & Ginsberg (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84, 7114-7118] in spite of the fact that the exposure of the latter in whole platelets is EDTA-dependent whereas that in the former is not. The epitope for M5 shares full homology with the 540-548 peptide stretch of the alpha-subunit of the vitronectin receptor, and this antibody cross-reacts with endothelial cells. The M6 epitope is located in the 25 kDa membrane-bound fragment of GPIIb, which is most epitope is destroyed at an early stage of chymotrypic digestion. This suggests that this region of GPIIb, somewhere between the epitope for M5 (alpha 550-558) and the epitope for M2 (alpha 747-755), may carry the surface of interaction of GPIIb with GPIIIa in the GPIIb/IIIa heterodimer. Finally, the sequence where the epitope for M6 has been located (alpha 657-667) was the only one found to be hydropathically complementary to the gamma 402-411 peptide of fibrinogen within the amino acid sequence of both GPIIb and GPIIIa. This complementariness, the EDTA- or thrombin-dependence of the exposure of the alpha 657-665 stretch in whole platelets to M6 and the ability of this antibody to inhibit platelet aggregation led us to postulate that this peptide stretch is a putative binding site for fibrinogen in the platelet receptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Genetic immunisation of cattle against bovine herpesvirus 1: glycoprotein gD confers higher protection than glycoprotein gC or tegument protein VP8.

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) has frequently been used as a model for testing parameters affecting DNA immunisation in large animals like cattle. However, the selection of target antigens has been poorly studied, and most of the experiments have been conducted in mice. In the present study, we demonstrated in cattle that a DNA vaccine encoding BoHV-1 glycoprotein gD induces higher neutralising antibody titres than vaccines encoding BoHV-1 gC. Additionally, we show that a DNA vaccine encoding a secreted form of gD induces a higher immune response than a vaccine encoding full-length gD. However, the enhanced immunogenicity associated with the secretion of gD could not be extended to the glycoprotein gC. The current study also describes for the first time the development and the evaluation of a DNA vaccine encoding the major tegument protein VP8. This construct, which is the first BoHV-1 plasmid vaccine candidate that is not directed against a surface glycoprotein, induced a high BoHV-1 specific cellular immunity but no humoral immune response. The calves vaccinated with the constructs encoding full-length and truncated gD showed a non-significant tenfold reduction of virus excretion after challenge. Those calves also excreted virus for significantly (p < 0.05) shorter periods (1.5 days) than the non-vaccinated controls. The other constructs encoding gC and VP8 antigens induced no virological protection as compared to controls. Altogether the DNA vaccines induced weaker immunity and protection than conventional marker vaccines tested previously, confirming the difficulty to develop efficient DNA vaccines in large species.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Human platelet glycoprotein V: characterization of the polypeptide and the related Ib-V-IX receptor system of adhesive, leucine-rich glycoproteins.

Human platelet glycoprotein (GP) V (M(r) 83,300), whose primary structure is reported here, is a part of the Ib-V-IX system of surface glycoproteins (GPs Ib alpha, Ib beta, V, IX) that constitute the receptor for von Willebrand factor (vWf) and mediate the adhesion of platelets to injured vascular surfaces in the arterial circulation, a critical initiating event in hemostasis. System members share physical associations, leucine-rich glycoprotein (LRG) structures, and a congenital deficiency state, Bernard-Soulier syndrome. With PCR techniques and platelet cDNA templates, 1.4 kb of GP V cDNA sequence was obtained that encodes 469 GP V amino acids. A genomic 3.5-kb BamHI fragment was then isolated that includes 3.46 kb of GP V cDNA sequence: the 1.7-kb open reading frame plus 2 bases of the 5' and 1.8 kb of the 3' untranslated regions. Northern blot analysis reveals three GP V platelet transcripts of 3.8, 4.2, and 5.2 kb. A 16-amino acid signal peptide is present. Mature GP V is a 544-amino acid transmembrane protein with a 504-amino acid extracellular domain that encompasses a set of 15 tandem LRG repeats in a "flank-LRG center-flank" array [Roth, G. J. (1991) Blood 77, 5-19] along with eight putative N-linked glycosylation sites and cleavage sites for thrombin and calpain. GP V is a transmembrane, adhesive LRG protein that plays an undefined, but potentially critical, role in the expression and/or function of the Ib-V-IX receptor for vWf/shear-dependent platelet adhesion in arteries.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Aggretin, a heterodimeric C-type lectin from Calloselasma rhodostoma (Malayan pit viper), stimulates platelets by binding to α2β1 integrin and glycoprotein Ib, activating Syk and phospholipase Cγ 2, but does not involve the glycoprotein VI/Fc receptor γ chain collagen receptor.

Aggretin, a potent platelet activator, was isolated from Calloselasma rhodostoma venom, and 30-amino acid N-terminal sequences of both subunits were determined. Aggretin belongs to the heterodimeric snake C-type lectin family and is thought to activate platelets by binding to platelet glycoprotein alpha(2)beta(1). We now show that binding to glycoprotein (GP) Ib is also required. Aggretin-induced platelet activation was inhibited by a monoclonal antibody to GPIb as well as by antibodies to alpha(2)beta(1). Binding of both of these platelet receptors to aggretin was confirmed by affinity chromatography. No binding of other major platelet membrane glycoproteins, in particular GPVI, to aggretin was detected. Aggretin also activates platelets from Fc receptor gamma chain (Fcgamma)-deficient mice to a greater extent than those from normal control mice, showing that it does not use the GPVI/Fcgamma pathway. Platelets from Fcgamma-deficient mice expressed fibrinogen receptors normally in response to collagen, although they did not aggregate, indicating that these platelets may partly compensate via other receptors including alpha(2)beta(1) or GPIb for the lack of the Fcgamma pathway. Signaling by aggretin involves a dose-dependent lag phase followed by rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of proteins. Among these are p72(SYK), p125(FAK), and PLCgamma2, whereas, in comparison with collagen and convulxin, the Fcgamma subunit neither is phosphorylated nor coprecipitates with p72(SYK). This supports an independent, GPIb- and integrin-based pathway for activation of p72(SYK) not involving the Fcgamma receptor.

Agkistrodon↗

PubMed1975

Biogenesis of microsomal membrane glycoproteins in rat liver. I. Presence of glycoproteins in microsomes and cytosol.

The glycoproteins of microsomes and cytosol were studied. Various washing procedures did not release the proteins from the microsomes, and immunological tests demonstrated that the sialoproteins are not serum components. Low concentrations of deoxycholate and incubation in 0.25 M sucrose solution liberated a small amount of microsomal sialoprotein and this fraction exhibited a high degree of labeling of protein-bound N-acetylneuraminic acid. A part of the glycoprotein fraction could not be solubilized, even with a high concentration of the detergent. Thoroughly perfused rat liver contained sialoproteins in the particle-free supernate. The level of sialoprotein present could not be due to contamination with serum or broken organelles. The high in vivo incorporation of [3H]glucosamine into protein-bound sialic acid of Golgi membranes and cytosol was paralleled by a delayed and lesser rate of incorporation into the rough and smooth microsomal membranes. This incorporation pattern suggests the possibility that the glycoproteins of cytosol and Golgi may later be incorporated into the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed1978

Cell surface glycoproteins of murine cytotoxic T lymphocytes. I. T 145, a new cell surface glycoprotein selectively expressed on Ly 1-2+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

T lymphocytes at various stages of maturation and differentiation have been isolated by cellular fractionation procedures and characterized by cell surface markers and functional assays, The cell surface glycoproteins of the various T-cell preparations have been selectively radiolabeled by the galactose oxidase-tritiated sodium borohydride technique and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. Details are presented on the appearance of a new cell surface glycoprotein (T 145), present on immunocompetent T lymphocytes after activation by either major histocompatibility complex alloantigens or by concanavalin A. The intensity of T 145 expression on T lymphoblasts is shown to be directly correlated in time and extent to the levels of cytotoxicity generated in a variety of T-cell activations. Specific enrichment procedures of purified populations of mixed leukocyte culture blasts have shown Ly 1(+)2(-) blasts to be T 145(-) and Ly 1(-)2(+) blasts to be strongly T 145(+). Similar enrichment procedures on normal peripheral T cells have failed to reveal any significant expression of T 145 on a highly enriched population of Ly 1(-)2(+) T cells, Further studies on the stability of T 145 expression after induction have shown it to be a more permanent-type differentiation structure whose expression is clearly not linked to the blast stage of activation. T 145 would thus appear to represent a membrane glycoprotein whose exclusive expression on T lymphoblasts is further restricted to a defined group of cells endowed with cytolytic activity and bearing the Ly phenotype Ly 1(-)2(+).

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Augmentation by bispecific F(ab')2 reactive with P-glycoprotein and CD3 of cytotoxicity of human effector cells on P-glycoprotein positive human renal cancer cells.

A bispecific F(ba')2 was constructed that was composed of two Fab fragments, one derived from anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) (OKT3) and the other from anti P-glycoprotein mAb (MRK 16). This bispecific F(ab')2 enhanced the binding and cytotoxicity of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) on P-glycoprotein-positive human kidney cancer cells (ADMHK/E). It had no effect on the cytotoxicity of PBMCs on P-glycoprotein-negative HK/E cells [long-term cultured HK/E (LCHK/E)]. Control F(ab')2 composed of OKT3 or MRK16 alone did not influence the cytotoxicity of PBMCs on ADMHK/E cells. These findings suggest that the MRK16-OKT3 bispecific F(ab')2 may be therapeutically beneficial in treatment of human multidrug-resistant cancers.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

PubMed1980

Separation of Sendai virus glycoproteins by using glutaraldehyde-treated erythrocytes and preparation of monospecific antisera against the glycoproteins.

Sendai virus hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and fusion (F) glycoproteins, F and HN, were separated from Triton X-100- or Nonidet P-40-solubilized envelopes as unadsorbed and eluted fractions, respectively, by using glutaralde-hyde-treated chicken erythrocytes. These separated glycoproteins were biologically active. Monospecific antisera (in terms of monoreactivity to virus glycoproteins in gel diffusion precipitation patterns) were prepared by using these fractions as immunogens. Anti-HN rabbit serum inhibited all of the viral activities tested (infectivity, neuraminidase, hemagglutinating, and viral hemolysis), whereas anti-F serum definitely inhibited viral hemolysis only, although the two antisera enhanced neutralization in the presence of complement. The advantages and disadvantages of this separation method were discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1980

Preparation and characterization of specific antisera to individual glycoprotein antigens comprising the major glycoprotein region of herpes simplex virus type 1.

The major glycoprotein complex (VP123) of herpes simplex virus type 1 resolved by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was purified and further fractionated into two major and two minor components by chromatography of the isolated VP123 region on SDS-hydroxylapatite columns. The two major components (gC and gA/gB) were purified free of other polypeptides and used to prepare specific antisera to these glycoproteins. Radioimmune precipitation demonstrated that these antisera were specific for the antigens used in their production. These two antisera as well as an anti-VP123 serum were further characterized by immunoprecipitation, neutralization, and membrane immunofluorescence techniques. Results indicate that both of the major glycoprotein antigens are expressed on the surface of virions as well as on the surface of infected cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Similarities and differences in the Fc-binding glycoprotein (gE) of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and tentative mapping of the viral gene for this glycoprotein.

We performed affinity chromatography and immunoprecipitation experiments to determine whether cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) expressed a glycoprotein that was functionally and antigenically related to the HSV-1 Fc-binding glycoprotein designated gE. We found that a protein from extracts of HSV-2-infected HEp-2 cells bound specifically to an Fc affinity column and that the electrophoretic mobility of this protein in sodium dodecyl sulfate-acrylamide gels was slightly less than the mobility of HSV-1 gE. Immunoprecipitation experiments performed with an antiserum prepared against HSV-1 gE revealed that (i) extracts from HSV-2-infected cells contained a glycoprotein that was antigenically related to HSV-1 gE; (ii) the electrophoretic mobility of the HSV-2 gE was indistinguishable from the mobility of the HSV-2 Fc-binding protein; (iii) the antiserum reacted with both newly synthesized transient forms and stable fully processed forms of both HSV-1 gE and HSV-2 gE; and (iv) the transient and stable forms of HSV-2 gE all had lower electrophoretic mobilities than their HSV-1 counterparts. Electrophoretic analyses of gE precipitated from extracts of HEp-2 cells infected with two sets of HSV-1 x HSV-2 intertypic recombinant viruses suggested that the gene for gE is located at the right end of the HSV genome (0.85 to 0.97 map units) in the unique portion of the S component.

Antigens, Viral↗

PubMed1983

Use of monoclonal antibodies against two 75,000-molecular-weight glycoproteins specified by herpes simplex virus type 2 in glycoprotein identification and gene mapping.

We produced two monoclonal antibodies that precipitate different glycoproteins of similar apparent molecular weight (70,000 to 80,000) from extracts of cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 2. Evidence is presented that one of these glycoproteins is the previously characterized glycoprotein gE, whereas the other maps to a region of the herpes simplex virus type 2 genome collinear with the region in herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA that encodes gC.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1984

Herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein C-negative mutants exhibit multiple phenotypes, including secretion of truncated glycoproteins.

A virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibody specific for glycoprotein C (gC) of herpes simplex virus type 1 strain KOS was used to select a number of neutralization-resistant mutants. A total of 103 of these mutants also were resistant to neutralization by a pool of gC-specific antibodies and thus were operationally defined as gC-. Analysis of mutant-infected cell mRNA showed that a 2.7-kilobase mRNA, comparable in size to the wild-type gC mRNA, was produced by nearly all mutants. However, six mutants, gC-5, gC-13, gC-21, gC-39, gC-46, and gC-98, did not produce the normal-size gC mRNA but rather synthesized a novel 1.1-kilobase RNA species. These mutants had deletions of 1.6 kilobases in the coding sequence of the gC structural gene, which explains their gC- phenotype. Despite the production of an apparently normal mRNA by the remaining 97 mutants, only 7 mutants produced a detectable gC polypeptide. In contrast to wild-type gC, which is a membrane-bound glycoprotein with an apparent molecular weight of 130,000 (130K), five of these mutants quantitatively secreted proteins of lower molecular weight into the culture medium. These were synLD70 (101K), gC-8 (109K), gC-49 (112K), gC-53 (108K), and gC-85 (106K). The mutant gC-3 secreted a protein that was indistinguishable in molecular weight from wild-type KOS gC. Another mutant, gC-44, produced a gC protein which also was indistinguishable from wild-type gC by molecular weight and which remained cell associated. Pulse-labeling of infected cells in the presence and absence of the glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin demonstrated that these proteins were glycosylated and provided estimates of the molecular weights of the nonglycosylated primary translation products. The smallest of these proteins was produced by synLD70 and was 48K, about two-thirds the size of the wild-type polypeptide precursor (73K). Physical mapping of the mutations in synLD70 and gC-8 by marker rescue placed these mutations in the middle third of the gC coding sequence. Mapping of the mutations in other gC- mutants, including two in which no protein product was detected, also placed these mutations within or very close to the gC gene. The biochemical and genetic data available on mutants secreting gC gene products suggest that secretion is due to the lack of a functional transmembrane anchor sequence on these mutant glycoproteins.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever virus glycoprotein precursor is cleaved by Furin-like and SKI-1 proteases to generate a novel 38-kilodalton glycoprotein.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (genus Nairovirus, family Bunyaviridae) genome M segment encodes an unusually large (in comparison to members of other genera) polyprotein (1,684 amino acids in length) containing the two major structural glycoproteins, Gn and Gc, that are posttranslationally processed from precursors PreGn and PreGc by SKI-1 and SKI-1-like proteases, respectively. The characteristics of the N-terminal 519 amino acids located upstream of the mature Gn are unknown. A highly conserved furin/proprotein convertase (PC) cleavage site motif (RSKR247) is located between the variable N-terminal region that is predicted to have mucin-like properties and the rest of PreGn. Mutational analysis of the RSKR247 motif and use of a specific furin/PC inhibitor and brefeldin A demonstrate that furin/PC cleavage occurs at the RSKR247 motif of PreGn as the protein transits the trans Golgi network and generates a novel glycoprotein designated GP38. Immunoprecipitation analysis identified two additional proteins, GP85 and GP160, which contain both mucin and GP38 domain regions, and whose generation does not involve furin/PC cleavage. Consistent with glycosylation predictions, heavy O-linked glycosylation and moderate levels of N-glycans were detected in the GP85 and GP160 proteins, both of which contain the mucin domain. GP38, GP85, and GP160 are likely soluble proteins based on the lack of predicted transmembrane domains, their detection in virus-infected cell supernatants, and the apparent absence from virions. Analogy with soluble glycoproteins and mucin-like proteins encoded by other hemorrhagic fever-associated RNA viruses suggests these proteins could play an important role in viral pathogenesis.

Cell Line↗

PubMed1985

Glycoprotein allergens in pollen of timothy. II. Isolation and characterization of a basic glycoprotein allergen.

A basic glycoprotein allergen has been isolated from pollen of timothy by a combination of chromatography on columns of CM-Sepharose CL-6B, Bio-Gel P-30, DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B and Ultrogel AcA 44. The allergen which is immunologically identical with the allergen formerly denoted as antigen 30 had an isoelectric point of 9.45. The MW of the glycoprotein was found to be 54,000 and 38,000 by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration, respectively. The allergen contains arabinose (3.1%), fucose (0.7%), xylose (0.7%), mannose (2.1%), galactose (2.8%) and glucose (0.2%). In rocket radioimmunoelectrophoresis the allergen bound IgE from 57 (78%) of 73 patient sera tested. The allergen did not bind Yariv artificial galactosyl- and glucosyl-carbohydrate-binding antigens or a monoclonal antibody against ryegrass pollen glycoprotein allergens.

Allergens↗

PubMed2000

Management of patients with acute coronary syndromes in the United States by platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition. Insights from the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa in unstable angina: receptor suppression using integrilin therapy (PURSUIT) trial.

BACKGROUND: A multinational, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa in Unstable Angina: Receptor Suppression Using Integrilin Therapy, PURSUIT) demonstrated that the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist eptifibatide reduced the incidence of death or myocardial infarction among patients with acute ischemic syndromes without ST-segment elevation. Because of expected differences in practice patterns, a prospectively planned analysis of outcomes as a function of regions of the world was performed. The current study provides a detailed assessment of eptifibatide among the subgroup of patients enrolled within the United States. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients presenting with chest pain within the previous 24 hours and ischemic ECG changes or creatine kinase-MB elevation were eligible for enrollment. Of the 10 948 patients randomized worldwide, 4035 were enrolled within the United States. Patients were allocated to placebo or eptifibatide infusion for up to 72 to 96 hours. Other medical therapies and revascularization strategies were at the discretion of the treating physician. Eptifibatide reduced the rate of the primary end point of death or myocardial infarction by 30 days from 15.4% to 11.9% (P=0.003) among patients in the United States. The treatment effect was achieved early and maintained over a period of 6 months (18.9% versus 15.2%; P=0.004). Bleeding events were more common in patients receiving eptifibatide but were predominantly associated with invasive procedures. The magnitude of clinical benefit from eptifibatide was greater among patients in the United States than elsewhere in the world. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockade with eptifibatide reduces the incidence of death or myocardial infarction among patients treated for acute ischemic syndromes without ST-segment elevation within the United States.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1997

Purification and characterization of novel whey glycoprotein WGP-88 which binds to a monoclonal antibody to PAS-4 glycoprotein in the bovine milk fat globule membrane.

A monoclonal antibody to the PAS-4 glycoprotein (78 kDa) of the bovine milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) specifically recognized PAS-4, and was named KAS4. A component recognized by KAS4 was found in whey protein, this being a glycoprotein of 88 kDa by SDS-PAGE and named WGP-88. WGP-88 was purified and characterized in comparison with PAS-4. WGP-88 had apparent pI values of 6.45 and 6.39, while those of PAS-4 were 7.39 and 7.35. Neuraminidase digestion shifted the pI values of WGP-88 to 6.57 and of PAS-4 to 7.52. WGP-88 was rich in polar amino residues (44.9 mol%), while PAS-4 was abundant in nonpolar amino acid residues (48.7 mol%). WGP-88 contained 17.1% of carbohydrate and PAS-4 had 7.2%. The results of reductive hydrolysis, N-glycanase digestion, and a lectin blot analysis suggested that N- and O-linked sugar chains were contained in both glycoproteins. WGP-88 and PAS-4 had a different N-terminal amino acid sequence. WGP-88 and PAS-4 respectively inhibited competitively the binding of KAS4 to PAS-4 and WGP-88. Our studies revealed WGP-88 recognized by KAS4 mAb to be a novel whey protein and to have different biochemical properties from those of PAS-4.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Microheterogeneity of serum glycoproteins in patients with chronic alcohol abuse compared with carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome type I.

BACKGROUND: Chronic alcohol abuse alters the normal N-glycosylation of transferrin, producing the carbohydrate-deficient transferrin isoforms. This alteration could be similar to that present in patients with carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome type 1 (CDG1). We thus compared the alterations of N-glycans present in patients with alcoholism and patients with CDG1. METHODS: The N-glycans of serum glycoproteins were compared in sera of patients with alcoholism, patients with CDG1, and controls by two-dimensional electrophoresis, neuraminidase, peptide:N-glycosidase F, and endoglycosidase F2 treatments. A specific antibody directed against the amino acid sequence surrounding the N-432 N-glycosylation site of transferrin was prepared (SZ-350 antibody). RESULTS: In patients with alcoholism, the abnormal transferrin and alpha(1)-antitrypsin isoforms were devoid of a variable number of entire N-glycan moieties and were identical with those present in CDG1. In the serum of patients with alcoholism, this finding was less pronounced than in CDG1. In contrast to CDG1, there was no decrease in clusterin or serum amyloid P in patients with alcoholism. The SZ-350 antibody recognized only transferrin isoforms with one or no N-glycan moieties. CONCLUSION: Antibodies directed against specific N-glycosylation sites of glycoproteins could be useful for developing more specific immunochemical tests for the diagnosis of chronic alcohol abuse.

Alcoholism↗