5-thiomannosides block the biosynthesis of dolichol-linked oligosaccharides and mimic class I congenital disorders of glycosylation.

In a cell-based assay for novel inhibitors, we have discovered that two glycosides of 5-thiomannose, each containing an interglycosidic nitrogen atom, prevented the correct zymogen processing of the prohormone proopiomelanocortinin (POMC) and the transcription factor sterol-regulatory element-binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) in mouse pituitary cells and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, respectively. In the case of SREBP-2, these effects were correlated with the altered N-linked glycosylation of subtilisin/kexin-like isozyme-1 (SKI-1), the protease responsible for SREBP-2 processing under sterol-limiting conditions. Further examination of the effects of these compounds in CHO cells showed that they cause extensive protein hypoglycosylation in a manner similar to type I congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs) since the remaining N-glycans in treated cells were complete (normal) structures. The under-glycosylation of glycoproteins in 5-thiomannoside-treated cells is now shown to be caused by the compromised biosynthesis of the dolichol-linked oligosaccharide (DLO) N-glycosylation donor, although the nucleotide sugars required for the synthesis of DLOs were neither reduced under these conditions, nor were their effects reversed upon the addition of exogenous mannose. Analysis of DLO intermediates by fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis demonstrated that 5-thiomannose-containing glycosides block DLO biosynthesis most likely at a stage prior to the GlcNAc(2) Man(3) intermediate, on the cytosolic face of the endoplasmic reticulum.

sLeX/L-selectin mediates adhesion in vitro implantation model.

The complex implantation process is initiated by the recognition and adhesion between the embryo and uterine endometrial epithelium. The expression and interactions between the adhesive molecules from both fetal and maternal sides are crucial for the successful implantation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression and adhesive function of sLeX on the trophoblasts and L-selectin on uterine epithelial cells mediated the adhesion at the fetal-maternal interface, and to further explore whether this adhesion system could induce endometrial apoptosis, using in vitro implantation model consisting of the human trophoblast cell line (JAR) and human uterine epithelial cell line (RL95-2). The results showed that sLeX was expressed on JAR cells by indirect immunofluorescence staining. After transfection of JAR cells with fucosyltransferase VII (FUT7) which is the key enzyme for sLeX synthesis, the expression of FUT7 and sLeX synthesis were increased, and the percent adhesion of trophoblast cells to RL95-2 cell monolayer was significantly increased (P < 0.01). L-selectin was strongly expressed but not E- and P-selectin on epithelial RL95-2 cells by RT-PCR, Western blot. Blocking L-selectin with specific antibody or heparin pretreatment in RL95-2 cells inhibited the adhesion of JAR cells to RL95-2 cell monolayer. Furthermore, regulating the expression of sLeX on JAR cells or blocking L-selectin on RL95-2 cells could activate the apoptosis of uterine epithelial cells. These results suggest the sLeX/L-selectin adhesion system at fetal-maternal interface not only mediates the adhesion of embryo to uterine epithelium, but also effectively induces the apoptosis in uterine epithelium. The study supplies a molecular basis for the elucidation of the initial recognition and adhesion during embryo implantation.

Protamine neutralisation of low molecular weight heparins and their oligosaccharide components.

Protamine sulphate is an effective inhibitor of heparin and is used clinically to neutralise both low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) and unfractionated heparin (UFH). However, protamine sulphate does not fully counter the anti-Xa effect of LMWH, even in excess (>40 µg to 1 IU/ml). To investigate the molecular basis for this observation, the residual potencies in the presence and absence of plasma as well as the molecular weight profiles of commercial LMWH neutralised with increasing amounts of protamine were measured. Materials over 5000 Da are preferentially neutralised by protamine. To further investigate this molecular weight dependence, monodisperse oligosaccharides were prepared from three commercial LMWHs. The specific anti-Xa activity for the fractions increased with molecular weight, and was found to vary between the three preparations for oligosaccharides of the same molecular weight. Our results indicate that protamine sulphate neutralisation is largely dependent on molecular weight, leading to the implication that LMWHs containing a larger proportion of small oligosaccharides will not be as effectively neutralised. Protamine sulphate neutralisation of any given LMWH is also affected by the specific anticoagulant activities of its low molecular weight components, which varies between LMWH products, presumably with the method of manufacture.

MASP-2 Is a Heparin-Binding Protease; Identification of Blocking Oligosaccharides.

It is well-known that heparin and other glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) inhibit complement activation. It is however not known whether fractionation and/or modification of GAGs might deliver pathway-specific inhibition of the complement system. Therefore, we evaluated a library of GAGs and their derivatives for their functional pathway specific complement inhibition, including the MASP-specific C4 deposition assay. Interaction of human MASP-2 with heparan sulfate/heparin was evaluated by surface plasmon resonance, ELISA and in renal tissue. In vitro pathway-specific complement assays showed that highly sulfated GAGs inhibited all three pathways of complement. Small heparin- and heparan sulfate-derived oligosaccharides were selective inhibitors of the lectin pathway (LP). These small oligosaccharides showed identical inhibition of the ficolin-3 mediated LP activation, failed to inhibit the binding of MBL to mannan, but inhibited C4 cleavage by MASPs. Hexa- and pentasulfated tetrasaccharides represent the smallest MASP inhibitors both in the functional LP assay as well in the MASP-mediated C4 assay. Surface plasmon resonance showed MASP-2 binding with heparin and heparan sulfate, revealing high Kon and Koff rates resulted in a Kd of ~2 µM and confirmed inhibition by heparin-derived tetrasaccharide. In renal tissue, MASP-2 partially colocalized with agrin and heparan sulfate, but not with activated C3, suggesting docking, storage, and potential inactivation of MASP-2 by heparan sulfate in basement membranes. Our data show that highly sulfated GAGs mediated inhibition of all three complement pathways, whereas short heparin- and heparan sulfate-derived oligosaccharides selectively blocked the lectin pathway via MASP-2 inhibition. Binding of MASP-2 to immobilized heparan sulfate/heparin and partial co-localization of agrin/heparan sulfate with MASP, but not C3b, might suggest that in vivo heparan sulfate proteoglycans act as a docking platform for MASP-2 and possibly prevent the lectin pathway from activation.

Targeting the cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA) in inflammatory and neoplastic skin conditions.

Introduction: The cutaneous lymphocyte antigen interacts with E-selectin on endothelial cells and is expressed on 15% of circulating T-cells. Skin-homing T-cells express the cutaneous lymphocyte antigen and play a role in local cutaneous immunity in inflammatory reactions and neoplastic conditions.Areas covered: Lymphocyte extravasation is the essential para-physiological mechanism enabling immune surveillance of tissues for tumors as well as effector cell recruitment to inflammatory sites.The authors focused on skin inflammatory disorders, on cutaneous lymphoproliferative disease, and on other skin malignancies.Expert opinion: Interfering with leukocyte extravasation has been regarded as an attractive strategy in skin disorders, in the past for inflammatory conditions and more recently for cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. Therapeutic blocking of skin-homing interactions has been attempted in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis and has been achieved in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. Cutaneous lymphocyte antigen is a potential molecular target for both systemic and skin-directed therapy for cutaneous T-cell lymphomas.

Anti-melanogenic activity of salacinol by inhibition of tyrosinase oligosaccharide processing.

Hyperpigmentation that manifests through melasma and solar lentigo (age spots), although mostly harmless for health, bothers many people. Controlling the rate-limiting activity of tyrosinase is most effective for suppressing excessive melanin formation and accordingly recent research has focused on the maturation of tyrosinase. Salacia, a medicinal plant, has been used to treat diabetes in India and Sri Lanka. Salacia extract reportedly contains components that inhibit the activity of α-glucosidase. Salacinol, the active ingredient in Salacia extract, has unique thiosugar sulphonium sulphate inner salt structure. Here, we observed that the salacinol component of Salacia extract possesses anti-melanogenic activity in comparison to various existing whitening agents. Although the anti-melanogenic mechanism of salacinol is presumably medicated by inhibition of tyrosinase activity, which is often found in existing whitening agents, salacinol did not inhibit tyrosinase activity in vitro. Analysis of the intracellular state of tyrosinase showed a decrease in the mature tyrosinase form due to inhibition of N-linked oligosaccharide processing. Salacinol inhibited the processing glucosidase I/II, which are involved in the initial stage of N-linked glycosylation. Owing to high activity, low cytotoxicity and high hydrophilicity, salacinol is a promising candidate compound in whitening agents aimed for external application on skin.

Effects of carbocisteine on sialyl-Lewis x expression in an airway carcinoma cell line stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Carbocisteine is a mucoregulatory drug normalizing sialic acid and fucose contents in mucins through the regulation of glycosyltransferase activities. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced overexpression of sialyl-Lewis x epitopes, containing sialic acid and fucose, in mucins were previously reported to be regulated by glycosyltransferase mRNAs expression through phosphatidyl inositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) signaling pathways [Ishibashi, Y., Inouye, Y., Okano, T., Taniguchi, A., 2005. Regulation of sialyl-Lewis x epitope expression by TNF-alpha and EGF in an airway carcinoma cell line. Glycoconj. J. 22, 53-62]. To investigate the mechanism behind the mucoregulatory action of carbocisteine, the present study evaluated the effects of carbocisteine on TNF-alpha-induced overexpression of sialyl-Lewis x epitopes in NCI-H292 cells. 100 mug/ml of carbocisteine was able to inhibit the TNF-alpha-induced expression of hST3GallV mRNA, FUT3 mRNA, C2/4GnT mRNA and sialyl-Lewis x epitopes as well as the TNF-alpha-induced activity of PI-PLC in NCI-H292 cells. These findings suggest that carbocisteine may normalize the sialyl-Lewis x epitopes expression in mucins through the inhibition of cellular PI-PLC activity in vivo.

RNA aptamers directed against oligosaccharides.

Nucleic acid molecules are designed to interact predominantly with proteins or complementary nucleic acids. Interaction of nucleic acids with carbohydrates, abundant constituents of glycoproteins and glycolipids, are not common in cells. Biomedical applications of nucleic acids targeted against oligosaccharides, which are involved in the function of receptors, immune answer, host interaction with invading infectious agents, and cancer metastasis, are feasible. In vitro selection of nucleic acids interacting with oligoand polysaccharides is a promising strategy to identify potential inhibitors of biochemical recognition processes in which carbohydrates are involved. Several RNA and DNA aptamers directed against carbohydrates have already been isolated and characterized. The results are summarized in this article, and an attempt is made to draw initial conclusions concerning the perspectives of the outlined approach.

Sialyl Lewis X-dependent lung colonization of B16 melanoma cells through a selectin-like endothelial receptor distinct from E- or P-selectin.

Endothelial carbohydrate binding proteins, E- and P-selectins, are thought to mediate sialyl Lewis A/X-dependent hematogenous cancer metastasis. We tested this hypothesis using sialyl Lewis X-dependent B16 melanoma lung targeting and its inhibition with selectin ligand mimicry peptide, IELLQAR. In E/P-selectin doubly deficient mutant mice, sialyl Lewis X-expressing B16 melanoma cells colonized the lung, and IELLQAR inhibited this colonization. However, tumors grown in E/P-selectin-deficient mice were significantly smaller than those grown in wild-type mice. These results indicate that the IELLQAR peptide receptor expressed in the lung vasculature plays a major role in sialyl Lewis X-dependent cancer cells targeting to the lung.

Inhibitors of asparagine-linked oligosaccharide processing alter the kinetics of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

We used selective inhibitors of the asparagine-linked oligosaccharide processing pathway to study the effect of sugar trimming on the functional properties of the nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor expressed in clonal mammalian BC3H-1 cells. Inhibitors of initial steps of the processing pathway (1-deoxynojirimycin[DNJ] and castanospermine[CS]) reduced the density of ACh receptors on the cell surface (3- to 5-fold) but their responsiveness to ACh was more reduced (5- to 10-fold). These results suggest that the function of the ACh receptor was altered. When the ACh receptors were expressed in the presence of DNJ or CS, analysis of ACh-evoked single-channel currents (-100 mV and 11 degrees C) revealed an approximate threefold reduction in the opening rate (control: 600-650 s(-1)), treated: 130-250 s(-1)) and an approximate twofold reduction in the rate of agonist dissociation (control: 900-1,000 s(-1), treated: 400-500 s(-1)). In addition, the proportion of brief duration bursts (tau = 50-100 microseconds) was increased (1.5- to 2-fold) by treatments with DNJ or CS. In contrast, an inhibitor of a late processing step (swainsonine) did not produce such alterations. The single-channel conductance was not altered by any of the three inhibitors, and the slopes of log-log dose-response curves at low concentrations and desensitization did not appear to be affected. Each inhibitor altered the electrophoretic mobility of the ACh receptor subunits. We conclude that early sugar trimming can influence the kinetics of the nicotinic ACh receptor in BC3H-1 cells.

Cellular effects of deoxynojirimycin analogues: inhibition of N-linked oligosaccharide processing and generation of free glucosylated oligosaccharides.

In the accompanying paper [Mellor, Neville, Harvey, Platt, Dwek and Butters (2004) Biochem. J. 381, 861-866] we treated HL60 cells with N-alk(en)yl-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) compounds to inhibit glucosphingolipid (GSL) biosynthesis and identified a number of non-GSL-derived, small, free oligosaccharides (FOS) most likely produced due to inhibition of the oligosaccharide-processing enzymes a-glucosidases I and II. When HL60 cells were treated with concentrations of N-alk(en)ylated DNJ analogues that inhibited GSL biosynthesis completely, N-butyl- and N-nonyl-DNJ inhibited endoplasmic reticulum (ER) glucosidases I and II, but octadecyl-DNJ did not, probably due to the lack of ER lumen access for this novel, long-chain derivative. Glucosidase inhibition resulted in the appearance of free Glc1-3Man structures, which is evidence of Golgi glycoprotein endomannosidase processing of oligosaccharides with retained glucose residues. Additional large FOS was also detected in cells following a 16 h treatment with N-butyl- and N-nonyl-DNJ. When these FOS structures (>30, including >20 species not present in control cells) were characterized by enzyme digests and MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization-time-of-flight) MS, all were found to be polymannose-type oligosaccharides, of which the majority were glucosylated and had only one reducing terminal GlcNAc (N-acetylglucosamine) residue (FOS-GlcNAc1), demonstrating a cytosolic location. These results support the proposal that the increase in glucosylated FOS results from enzyme-mediated cytosolic cleavage of oligosaccharides from glycoproteins exported from the ER because of misfolding or excessive retention. Importantly, the present study characterizes the cellular properties of DNJs further and demonstrates that side-chain modifications allow selective inhibition of protein and lipid glycosylation pathways. This represents the most detailed characterization of the FOS structures arising from ER a-glucosidase inhibition to date.

Induction of defence gene expression by oligogalacturonic acid requires increases in both cytosolic calcium and hydrogen peroxide in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Responses to oligogalacturonic acid (OGA) were determined in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings expressing the calcium reporter protein aequorin. OGA stimulated a rapid, substantial and transient increase in the concentration of cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]cyt) that peaked after ca. 15 s. This increase was dose-dependent, saturating at ca. 50 ug Gal equiv/ml of OGA. OGA also stimulated a rapid generation of H2O2. A small, rapid increase in H2O2 content was followed by a much larger oxidative burst, with H2O2 content peaking after ca. 60 min and declining thereafter. Induction of the oxidative burst by OGA was also dose-dependent, with a maximum response again being achieved at ca. 50 ug Gal equiv/mL. Inhibitors of calcium fluxes inhibited both increases in [Ca2+]cyt and [H2O2], whereas inhibitors of NADPH oxidase blocked only the oxidative burst. OGA increased strongly the expression of the defence-related genes CHS, GST, PAL and PR-1. This induction was suppressed by inhibitors of calcium flux or NADPH oxidase, indicating that increases in both cytosolic calcium and H2O2 are required for OGA-induced gene expression.

Antagonism of SR 90107A/Org 31540-induced bleeding by protamine sulfate in rats and mice.

The neutralization by protamine sulfate of bleeding enhancement induced by the potent anti-factor Xa pentasaccharide SR 90107A/Org 31540 and by heparin has been studied in rats and mice. Bleeding, as measured by transection of the tail of anaesthetised rats or mice, was increased following the administration of heparin and very high doses of SR 90107A/Org 31540. In rats, i.v. doses of 0.6 mg/kg heparin or 15 mg/kg SR 90107A/Org 31540 were required to enhance bleeding time to approximately the same extent (5- or 7-fold increase), whereas in mice a 13-fold increase in blood loss was observed with i.v. doses of 3 mg/kg heparin or 10 mg/kg SR 90107A/Org 31540. Protamine sulfate (10 mg/kg i.v.) reduced bleeding in rats and mice induced by both compounds. It also neutralized the anti-factor Xa activity as well as the antithrombotic activity of heparin as observed in venous thrombosis models in both species. However, protamine sulfate neither affected the anti-factor Xa activity nor the antithrombotic activity of SR 90107A/Org 31540 in rats and mice. The present results suggest that protamine sulfate may be regarded as a potential antidote to neutralize bleeding side-effects in cases of SR 90107A/Org 31540 overdosing.

[Effect of the time of ethrel use on the sugar levels in onions]. / Wplyw terminu stosowania ethrelu na poziom cukrów w cebuli.

Two groups of onion plants were treated with Ethrel on two different dates; onions were then stored, and the changes in their sugar contents were compared. Two onion cultivars: Czerniakowska and Wolska, were investigated in simple sugar contents between treated onions (on the I and II date) and untreated controls. Mean contents of simple sugars were lower in onions treated on the I date, as compared with the II date. Ethrel treatment (on the I and II date) caused a decrease in oligosugar contents; this drop amounted, respectively, for the Czerniakowska cultivar to 14.3 and 15.4% and for the Wolska cultivar to 15.8 and 18.8%. Ethrel treatment, as compared with control, significantly decreased total sugar contents; this decrease was for the Czerniakowska cultivar 4.8-7.6%, and for the Wolska cultivar 7.2-7.6%. The date of Ethrel treatment exerted no univocal effect on the decrease in oligosugars and total sugars.

Potentiation of anti-angiogenic activity of heparin by blocking the ATIII-interacting pentasaccharide unit and increasing net anionic charge.

Heparin, a potent anticoagulant used for the prevention of venous thromboembolism, has been recognized as a tumor angiogenesis inhibitor. Its limitation in clinical application for cancer therapy, however, arises from its strong anticoagulant activity, which causes associated adverse effects. In this study, we show the structural correlation of LHT7, a previously developed heparin-based angiogenesis inhibitor, with its influence on VEGF blockade and its decreased anticoagulant activity. LHT7 was characterized as having average seven molecules of sodium taurocholates conjugated to one molecule of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). This study showed that the conjugation of sodium taurocholates selectively blocked interaction with antithrombin III (ATIII) while enhancing the binding with VEGF. This resulted in LHT7 to have negligible anticoagulant activity but potent anti-angiogenic activity. Following up on this finding, we showed that the bidirectional effect of sodium taurocholate conjugation was due to its unique structure, that is, the sterane core hindering the ATIII-binding pentasaccharide unit of LMWH with its bulky and rigid structural characteristics while the terminal sulfate group interacts with VEGF to produce stronger binding. In addition, we showed that LHT7 was localized in the tumor, especially on the endothelial cells. One explanation for this might be that LHT7 was delivered to the tumor via platelets.

Selection and syntheses of tentacle type peptides as 'artificial' lectins against various cell-surface carbohydrates.

Sialyl Lewis X and its derivatives are cell-surface carbohydrates that are involved in cell-cell recognition by carbohydrate-mediated interactions. Unfortunately, owing to the similarities between carbohydrates only a limited number of tools are available for their differentiation. In this study, we prepared a selected phage-displayed peptide library against LeX (2), SLN (3), or LN (4), which compared to sLeX (1) lack sialic acid, fucose, and both sialic acid and fucose from constituents, respectively. Sequences of the selected peptides, prepared as tentacle type dimeric peptides, were prepared and shown to have micromolar affinities for the cognate carbohydrates. The specificities displayed by these 'artificial' lectins overwhelm those of natural lectins. These results suggest that they can serve as useful tools to detect changes in the terminal monosaccharide of cell-surface carbohydrates.

Metabolism and calcium antagonism of sodium alginate oligosaccharides.

Sodium alginate oligosaccharides (NaAOs) consisting of a mixture of eight oligosaccharides have previously been reported to lower blood pressure. We investigated in this study the excretion of NaAOs into the urine or feces, and attempted to elucidate the mechanism for lowering blood pressure by using isolated mesenteric arteries from the rabbit. The recovery rate of P8, which is the main component of NaAOs, was 5.2% and 58.9% over 48 hours in the urine and feces, respectively. The mechanism for lowering blood pressure appeared to be NaAOs having calcium antagonist activity, especially voltage-operated calcium channels. Our results suggest that NaAOs are substantially excreted into the feces, although some of them may be absorbed internally, exerting antagonist activity towards the calcium channels, especially voltage-operated calcium channels.