One-Step Selective Labeling of Native Cell Surface Sialoglycans by Exogenous α2,8-Sialylation

ACS Chem Biol. 2023 Nov 17;18(11):2418-2429. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00475. Epub 2023 Nov 7.

Abstract

Exo-enzymatic glycan labeling strategies have emerged as versatile tools for efficient and selective installation of terminal glyco-motifs onto live cell surfaces. Through employing specific enzymes and nucleotide-sugar probes, cells can be equipped with defined glyco-epitopes for modulating cell function or selective visualization and enrichment of glycoconjugates. Here, we identifyCampylobacter jejunisialyltransferase Cst-II I53S as a tool for cell surface glycan modification, expanding the exo-enzymatic labeling toolkit to include installation of α2,8-disialyl epitopes. Labeling with Cst-II was achieved with biotin- and azide-tagged CMP-Neu5Ac derivatives on a model glycoprotein and native sialylated cell surface glycans across a panel of cell lines. The introduction of modified Neu5Ac derivatives onto cells by Cst-II was also retained on the surface for 6 h. By examining the specificity of Cst-II on cell surfaces, it was revealed that the α2,8-sialyltransferase primarily labeled N-glycans, with O-glycans labeled to a lesser extent, and there was an apparent preference for α2,3-linked sialosides on cells. This approach thus broadens the scope of tools for selective exo-enzymatic labeling of native sialylated glycans and is highly amenable for the construction of cell-based arrays.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Epitopes
  • Glycoconjugates
  • Polysaccharides* / metabolism
  • Sialyltransferases* / metabolism

Substances

  • Sialyltransferases
  • Polysaccharides
  • Glycoconjugates
  • Epitopes