Efficient Preparation and Bioactivity Evaluation of Glycan-Defined Glycoproteins

ACS Chem Biol. 2021 Oct 15;16(10):1930-1940. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00629. Epub 2020 Nov 24.

Abstract

Owing to the generation of heterogeneous glycoproteins in cells, it is highly difficult to study glycoprotein-mediated biological events and to develop biomedical agents. Thus, general and efficient methods to prepare homogeneous glycoproteins are in high demand. Herein, we report a general method for the efficient preparation of homogeneous glycoproteins that utilizes a combination of genetic code expansion and chemoselective ligation techniques. In the protocol to produce glycan-defined glycoproteins, an alkyne tag-containing protein, generated by genetic encoding of an alkynylated unnatural amino acid, was quantitatively coupled via click chemistry to versatile azide-appended glycans. The glycoproteins produced by the present strategy were found to recognize mammalian cell-surface lectins and enter the cells through lectin-mediated internalization. Also, cell studies exhibited that the glycoprotein containing multiple mannose-6-phosphate residues enters diseased cells lacking specific lysosomal glycosidases by binding to the cell-surface M6P receptor, and subsequently migrates to lysosomes for efficient degradation of stored glycosphingolipids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkynes / chemistry
  • Azides / chemistry
  • Biocatalysis
  • Click Chemistry
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • G(M2) Ganglioside / metabolism
  • Glycoproteins / chemical synthesis*
  • Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Glycosylation
  • Humans
  • Lectins / metabolism
  • Lysosomes / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Polysaccharides / chemistry*
  • Polysaccharides / genetics
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • THP-1 Cells
  • beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases / chemical synthesis
  • beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases / genetics
  • beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases / metabolism

Substances

  • Alkynes
  • Azides
  • Glycoproteins
  • Lectins
  • Polysaccharides
  • G(M2) Ganglioside
  • beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases