Alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase deficiency in pigs increases sialyltransferase activities that potentially raise non-gal xenoantigenicity

J Biomed Biotechnol. 2011:2011:560850. doi: 10.1155/2011/560850. Epub 2011 Oct 25.

Abstract

We examined whether deficiency of the GGTA1 gene in pigs altered the expression of several glycosyltransferase genes. Real-time RT-PCR and glycosyltransferase activity showed that 2 sialyltransferases [α2,3-sialyltransferase (α2,3ST) and α2,6-sialyltransferase (α2,6ST)] in the heterozygote GalT KO liver have higher expression levels and activities compared to controls. Enzyme-linked lectin assays indicated that there were also more sialic acid-containing glycoconjugate epitopes in GalT KO livers than in controls. The elevated level of sialic-acid-containing glycoconjugate epitopes was due to the low level of α-Gal in heterozygote GalT KO livers. Furthermore, proteomics analysis showed that heterozygote GalT KO pigs had a higher expression of NAD+-isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), which is related to the CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase (CMAH) enzyme reaction. These findings suggest the deficiency of GGTA1 gene in pigs results in increased production of N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) due to an increase of α2,6-sialyltransferase and a CMAH cofactor, NAD+-IDH. This indicates that Neu5Gc may be a critical xenoantigen. The deletion of the CMAH gene in the GalT KO background is expected to further prolong xenograft survival.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Heterophile / metabolism*
  • Epitopes / metabolism
  • Galactosyltransferases / deficiency*
  • Galactosyltransferases / genetics
  • Gene Deletion
  • Glycoconjugates / metabolism
  • Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Isocitrate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Liver / enzymology*
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases / genetics
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases / metabolism
  • Neuraminic Acids / metabolism
  • Neuraminidase / genetics
  • Neuraminidase / metabolism*
  • Sialyltransferases / genetics
  • Sialyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Swine / genetics
  • Swine / metabolism*
  • beta-D-Galactoside alpha 2-6-Sialyltransferase

Substances

  • Antigens, Heterophile
  • Epitopes
  • Glycoconjugates
  • Glycoproteins
  • Neuraminic Acids
  • N-glycolylneuraminic acid
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases
  • Isocitrate Dehydrogenase
  • CMPacetylneuraminate monooxygenase
  • Galactosyltransferases
  • alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase 1, porcine
  • Sialyltransferases
  • trans-sialidase
  • Neuraminidase
  • beta-D-Galactoside alpha 2-6-Sialyltransferase