Physiological roles of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V(GnT-V) in mice

BMB Rep. 2012 Oct;45(10):554-9. doi: 10.5483/bmbrep.2012.45.10.190.

Abstract

Oligosaccharide modification by N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase- V (GnT-V), a glycosyltransferase encoded by the Mgat5 gene that catalyzes the formation of β1,6GlcNAc (N-acetylglucosamine) branches on N-glycans, is thought to be associated with cancer growth and metastasis. Overexpression of GnT-V in cancer cells enhances the signaling of growth factors such as epidermal growth factor by increasing galectin-3 binding to polylactosamine structures on receptor N-glycans. In contrast, GnT-V deficient mice are born healthy and lack β1,6GlcNAc branches on N-glycans, but develop immunological disorders due to T-cell dysfunction at 12-20 months of age. We have developed Mgat5 transgenic (Tg) mice (GnT-V Tg mice) using a β-actin promoter and found characteristic phenotypes in skin, liver, and T cells in the mice. Although the GnT-V Tg mice do not develop spontaneous cancers in any organs, there are differences in the response to external stimuli between wild-type and GnT-V Tg mice. These changes are similar to those seen in cancer progression but are unexpected in some aspects. In this review, we summarize what is known about GnT-V functions in skin and liver cells as a means to understand the physiological roles of GnT-V in mice.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Actins / genetics
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / genetics
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Skin / enzymology

Substances

  • Actins
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases
  • alpha-1,6-mannosylglycoprotein beta 1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase
  • ErbB Receptors