Fibrotic response in fibroblasts from congenital disorders of glycosylation.

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are characterized by a generalized underglycosylation of proteins. CDG is associated with multiple symptoms such as psychomotor retardation, hypotonia, hormonal disturbances, liver fibrosis and coagulopathies. The molecular basis of these symptoms is poorly understood considering the large extent of affected glycoproteins. To better understand the cellular responses to protein underglycosylation in CDG, we have investigated the differences in gene expression between healthy control and CDG fibroblasts by transcriptome comparison. This analysis revealed a strong induction of several genes encoding components of the extracellular matrix, such as collagens, COMP, IGFBP5 and biglycan. The extent of this response was confirmed at the protein level by showing increased production of collagen type-I for example. This fibrotic response of CDG fibroblasts was not paralleled by a differentiation to myofibroblasts and by increased TGF-ß signalling. We could show that the addition of recombinant IGFBP5, one of the induced proteins in CDG, to healthy control fibroblasts increased the production of collagen type-I to levels similar to those found in CDG fibroblasts. The fibrotic response identified in CDG fibroblasts may account for the elevated tissue fibrosis, which is often encountered in CDG patients.

Transition of galactosyltransferase 1 from trans-Golgi cisterna to the trans-Golgi network is signal mediated.

The Golgi apparatus (GA) is the organelle where complex glycan formation takes place. In addition, it is a major sorting site for proteins destined for various subcellular compartments or for secretion. Here we investigate beta1,4-galactosyltransferase 1 (galT) and alpha2,6-sialyltransferase 1 (siaT), two trans-Golgi glycosyltransferases, with respect to their different pathways in monensin-treated cells. Upon addition of monensin galT dissociates from siaT and the GA and accumulates in swollen vesicles derived from the trans-Golgi network (TGN), as shown by colocalization with TGN46, a specific TGN marker. We analyzed various chimeric constructs of galT and siaT by confocal fluorescence microscopy and time-lapse videomicroscopy as well as Optiprep density gradient fractionation. We show that the first 13 amino acids of the cytoplasmic tail of galT are necessary for its localization to swollen vesicles induced by monensin. We also show that the monensin sensitivity resulting from the cytoplasmic tail can be conferred to siaT, which leads to the rapid accumulation of the galT-siaT chimera in swollen vesicles upon monensin treatment. On the basis of these data, we suggest that cycling between the trans-Golgi cisterna and the trans-Golgi network of galT is signal mediated.

Genome-wide analysis of the unfolded protein response in fibroblasts from congenital disorders of glycosylation type-I patients.

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are a family of diseases characterized by defects of N-linked glycosylation. In CDG-I, several genetic defects cause a shortage of dolichol-linked oligosaccharides, which leads to underglycosylation of nascent glycoproteins. N-linked glycosylation is important for proper folding and trafficking of glycoproteins. Inhibition of glycosylation results in the buildup of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum, which induces a protective reaction known as the unfolded protein response (UPR). To investigate whether UPR components are induced in CDG, we have performed a transcriptome analysis of primary fibroblasts from unaffected control subjects and from CDG-I patients using oligonucleotide gene expression arrays. The stress imposed by CDG was also compared with the stress induced by tunicamycin and glucose deprivation. Whereas tunicamycin elicited a strong transcriptional response typical for the UPR, CDG fibroblasts displayed a qualitatively similar yet moderate induction of genes encoding components of the UPR. Among these genes, the PERK kinase inhibitor DNAJC3/P58(IPK) gene showed the highest induction throughout all CDG-I types tested. This was paralleled by elevated expression of genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis and transport, which defined a new component of the cellular response to glycosylation stress.

Golgi enzymes are enriched in perforated zones of golgi cisternae but are depleted in COPI vesicles.

In the most widely accepted version of the cisternal maturation/progression model of intra-Golgi transport, the polarity of the Golgi complex is maintained by retrograde transport of Golgi enzymes in COPI-coated vesicles. By analyzing enzyme localization in relation to the three-dimensional ultrastructure of the Golgi complex, we now observe that Golgi enzymes are depleted in COPI-coated buds and 50- to 60-nm COPI-dependent vesicles in a variety of different cell types. Instead, we find that Golgi enzymes are concentrated in the perforated zones of cisternal rims both in vivo and in a cell-free system. This lateral segregation of Golgi enzymes is detectable in some stacks during steady-state transport, but it was significantly prominent after blocking endoplasmic reticulum-to-Golgi transport. Delivery of transport carriers to the Golgi after the release of a transport block leads to a diminution in Golgi enzyme concentrations in perforated zones of cisternae. The exclusion of Golgi enzymes from COPI vesicles and their transport-dependent accumulation in perforated zones argues against the current vesicle-mediated version of the cisternal maturation/progression model.

Identification and functional analysis of a defect in the human ALG9 gene: definition of congenital disorder of glycosylation type IL.

Defects of lipid-linked oligosaccharide assembly lead to alterations of N-linked glycosylation known as "type I congenital disorders of glycosylation" (CDG). Dysfunctions along this stepwise assembly pathway are characterized by intracellular accumulation of intermediate lipid-linked oligosaccharides, the detection of which contributes to the identification of underlying enzymatic defects. Using this approach, we have found, in a patient with CDG, a deficiency of the ALG9 alpha 1,2 mannosyltransferase enzyme, which causes an accumulation of lipid-linked-GlcNAc(2)Man(6) and -GlcNAc(2)Man(8) structures, which was paralleled by the transfer of incomplete oligosaccharides precursors to protein. A homozygous point-mutation 1567G-->A (amino acid substitution E523K) was detected in the ALG9 gene. The functional homology between the human ALG9 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae ALG9, as well as the deleterious effect of the E523K mutation detected in the patient with CDG, were confirmed by a yeast complementation assay lacking the ALG9 gene. The ALG9 defect found in the patient with CDG--who presented with developmental delay, hypotonia, seizures, and hepatomegaly--shows that efficient lipid-linked oligosaccharide synthesis is required for proper human development and physiology. The ALG9 defect presented here defines a novel form of CDG named "CDG-IL."

Deficiency of the first mannosylation step in the N-glycosylation pathway causes congenital disorder of glycosylation type Ik.

Defects of N-linked glycosylation represent diseases with multiple organ involvements that are classified as congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG). In recent years, several CDG types have been attributed to defects of dolichol-linked oligosaccharide assembly in the endoplasmic reticulum. The profiling of [3H]mannose-labeled lipid-linked oligosaccharides was instrumental in identifying most of these glycosylation disorders. However, this method is poorly suited for the identification of short lipid-linked oligosaccharide biosynthesis defects. To adequately resolve deficiencies affecting the first steps of lipid-linked oligosaccharide formation, we have used a non-radioactive procedure employing the fluorescence detection of 2-aminobenzamide-coupled oligosaccharides after HPLC separation. By applying this method, we have detected the accumulation of dolichylpyrophosphate-GlcNAc2 in a previously untyped CDG patient. The accumulation pattern suggested a deficiency of the ALG1 beta1,4 mannosyltransferase, which adds the first mannose residue to lipid-linked oligosaccharides. This was supported by the finding that this CDG patient was compound heterozygous for three mutations in the ALG1 gene, leading to the amino acid substitutions S150R and D429E on one allele and S258L on the other. The detrimental effect of these mutations on ALG1 protein function was demonstrated in a complementation assay using alg1 Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast mutants. The ALG1 mannosyltransferase defect described here represents a novel type of CDG, which should be referred to as CDG-Ik.

ALG12 mannosyltransferase defect in congenital disorder of glycosylation type lg.

In the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of eukaryotes, N-linked glycans are first assembled on the lipid carrier dolichyl pyrophosphate. The GlcNAc(2)Man(9)Glc(3) oligosaccharide is transferred to selected asparagine residues of nascent polypeptides. Defects along the biosynthetic pathway of N-glycans are associated with severe multisystemic syndromes called congenital disorders of glycosylation. Here, we describe a deficiency in the ALG12 ER alpha1,6-mannosyltransferase resulting in a novel type of glycosylation disorder. The severe disease was identified in a child presenting with psychomotor retardation, hypotonia, growth retardation, dysmorphic features and anorexia. In the patient's fibroblasts, the biosynthetic intermediate GlcNAc(2)Man(7) oligosaccharide was detected both on the lipid carrier dolichyl pyrophosphate and on newly synthesized glycoproteins, thus pointing to a defect in the dolichyl pyrophosphate-GlcNAc(2)Man(7)-dependent ALG12 alpha1,6 mannosyltransferase. Analysis of the ALG12 cDNA in the CDG patient revealed compound heterozygosity for two point mutations that resulted in the amino acid substitutions T67M and R146Q, respectively. The impact of these mutations on ALG12 protein function was investigated in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae alg12 glycosylation mutant by showing that the yeast ALG12 gene bearing the homologous mutations T61M and R161Q and the human mutant ALG12 cDNA alleles failed to normalize the growth defect phenotype of the alg12 yeast model, whereas expression of the normal ALG12 cDNA complemented the yeast mutation. The ALG12 mannosyltransferase defect defines a new type of congenital disorder of glycosylation, designated CDG-Ig.

Ectopic localizations of Golgi glycosyltransferases.

Glycosyltransferases involved in N- and O-glycan chain elongation and termination are localized in the Golgi apparatus. Early evidence in support of this rule was based on fractionation techniques and was corroborated by numerous immunocytochemical studies. Usually these studies were confined to cultured cell lines exhibiting little differentiation features, such as HeLa cells. However, localization studies conducted in primary cell cultures (e.g., human umbilical vein endothelial cells), cells obtained ex vivo (e.g., sperm cells), and tissue sections (e.g., intestinal, renal, or hepatic tissue) often reveal ectopic localizations of glycosyltransferases usually at post-Golgi sites, including the plasma membrane. Hence, extracellular cues resulting from specific adhesion sites may influence post-Golgi trafficking routes, which may be reflected by ectopic localization of Golgi enzymes.

Deficiency of UDP-galactose:N-acetylglucosamine beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase I causes the congenital disorder of glycosylation type IId.

Deficiency of the Golgi enzyme UDP-Gal:N-acetylglucosamine beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase I (beta4GalT I) (E.C.2.4.1.38) causes a new congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG), designated type IId (CDG-IId), a severe neurologic disease characterized by a hydrocephalus, myopathy, and blood-clotting defects. Analysis of oligosaccharides from serum transferrin by HPLC, mass spectrometry, and lectin binding revealed the loss of sialic acid and galactose residues. In skin fibroblasts and leukocytes, galactosyltransferase activity was reduced to 5% that of controls. In fibroblasts, a truncated polypeptide was detected that was about 12 kDa smaller in size than wild-type beta4GalT I and that failed to localize to the Golgi apparatus. Sequencing of the beta4GalT I cDNA and gene revealed an insertion of a single nucleotide (1031-1032insC) leading to premature translation stop and loss of the C-terminal 50 amino acids of the enzyme. The patient was homozygous and his parents heterozygous for this mutation. Expression of a corresponding mutant cDNA in COS-7 cells led to the synthesis of a truncated, inactive polypeptide, which localized to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Functional assignment of motifs conserved in beta 1,3-glycosyltransferases.

The beta 1,3-glycosyltransferase enzymes identified to date share several conserved regions and conserved cysteine residues, all being located in the putative catalytic domain. To investigate the importance of these motifs and cysteines for the enzymatic activity, 14 mutants of the murine beta 1,3-galactosyltransferase-I gene were constructed and expressed in Sf9 insect cells. Seven mutations abolished the galactosyltransferase activity. Kinetic analysis of the other seven active mutants revealed that three of them showed a threefold to 21-fold higher apparent K(m) with regard to the donor substrate UDP-galactose relative to the wild-type enzyme, while two mutants had a sixfold to 7.5-fold increase of the apparent K(m) value for the acceptor substrate N-acetylglucosamine-beta-p-nitrophenol. Taken together, our results indicate that the conserved residues W101 and W162 are involved in the binding of the UDP-galactose donor, the residue W315 in the binding of the N-acetylglucosamine-beta-p-nitrophenol acceptor, and the domain including E264 appears to participate in the binding of both substrates.