Fluorescent microscopy as a tool to elucidate dysfunction and mislocalization of Golgi glycosyltransferases in COG complex depleted mammalian cells

Methods Mol Biol. 2013:1022:61-72. doi: 10.1007/978-1-62703-465-4_6.

Abstract

Staining of molecules such as proteins and glycoconjugates allows for an analysis of their localization within the cell and provides insight into their functional status. Glycosyltransferases, a class of enzymes which are responsible for glycosylating host proteins, are mostly localized to the Golgi apparatus, and their localization is maintained in part by a protein vesicular tethering complex, the conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex. Here we detail a combination of fluorescent lectin and immuno-staining in cells depleted of COG complex subunits to examine the status of Golgi glycosyltransferases. The combination of these techniques allows for a detailed characterization of the changes in function and localization of Golgi glycosyltransferases with respect to transient COG subunit depletion.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport / genetics*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique / methods
  • Glycosyltransferases / analysis*
  • Glycosyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Golgi Apparatus / enzymology*
  • Golgi Apparatus / metabolism
  • Golgi Apparatus / ultrastructure
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods*
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Staining and Labeling / methods

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Glycosyltransferases