The major gangliosides of human peripheral blood monocytes/macrophages: absence of ganglio series structures.

Sialoglycosphingolipids (gangliosides) are membrane components of eukaryotic cells that modulate cell signal transduction events. Discrepancies exist in the published descriptions of the gangliosides present in the human peripheral monocyte/macrophage. Macrophages were isolated from healthy human volunteers by two different methods. Their ganglioside fractions were isolated and examined by 2D thin-layer mobility, enzymatic susceptibility, and mass spectral-collision induced dissociation-mass spectral analyses. Thin-layer ganglioside chromatographic patterns displayed four major doublets and were similar for monocytes/macrophages isolated by either apheresis/elutriation or density gradient centrifugation. All gangliosides were resistant to beta-galactosidase but sensitive to Clostridium perfringens sialidase, indicating the absence of terminal galactose residues and sialidase-resistant sialic acid moieties. Mass spectra indicated only three major sets of glycolipid components with mass heterogeneity in the ceramide portion of each set. In all the gangliosides, the ceramide moiety contained only C18 sphingosine with the heterogeneity produced by the presence of C16 or C24 fatty acid. One doublet was resistant to Newcastle disease virus sialidase, indicating the presence of an alpha(2-6)-linked sialic acid residue with the same mass as another doublet. All data was consistent with the following structures as the major gangliosides of human peripheral monocyte/macrophages: II(3)NeuAcLacCer (sialolactosyl ceramide, GM3), IV(3)- and IV(6)NeuAcnLcOse(4)Cer (sialoparagloboside, nLM1), and IV(3)NeuAcnLcOse(6)Cer (a sialohexosylceramide).

Structure of a neutral glycosphingolipid recognized by human antibodies in polyagglutinable erythrocytes from the rare NOR phenotype.

NOR is a rare inheritable polyagglutination phenomenon that has been described in two families. Our recent studies on these erythrocytes showed they contained at least two unique neutral glycosphingolipids, and based on their reactivity with Griffonia simplicifolia IB4 (GSL-IB4) isolectin (Kusnierz-Alejska, G., Duk, M., Storry, J. R., Reid, M. E., Wiecek, B., Seyfried, H., and Lisowska, E. (1999) Transfusion 39, 32-38), both oligosaccharide chains terminated with an alpha-galactose residue. The reactivity with GSL-IB4 suggested that these oligosaccharide chains terminated with a Galalpha1-->3Gal- sequence and that anti-NOR agglutinins were common human anti-Galalpha1-->3Gal xenoantibodies. In this report we describe the structure of one NOR component (NOR1) that migrated on thin-layer chromatographic plates in the region of pentaglycosylceramides. Treatment of this sample with alpha-galactosidase and beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase was followed by high-performance thin-layer chromatography with product detection by lectins and the anti-Gb4 monoclonal antibody. The results suggested that NOR1 was an alpha-galactosylated Gb4Cer with a beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase-resistant GalNAc residue. Gas phase disassembly by ion trap mass spectrometry analysis showed the sequence to be Hex1-->4HexN1-->3Hex1-->4Hex1-->4Hex linked to a ceramide composed of C18 sphingosine and a C24 monounsaturated fatty acid. Together these data indicate NOR1 to be a novel Galalpha1-->4GalNAcbeta1-->3Galalpha1-->4Galbeta1-->4 Glc-Cer structure. Additionally it has been shown that NOR glycolipids are recognized by human antibodies that were distinct from the known anti-Galalpha1-->3Gal xenoantibodies.

Recombinant glycoproteins that inhibit complement activation and also bind the selectin adhesion molecules.

Soluble human complement receptor type 1 (sCR1, TP10) has been expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) DUKX-B11 cells and shown to inhibit the classical and alternative complement pathways in vitro and in vivo. A truncated version of sCR1 lacking the long homologous repeat-A domain (LHR-A) containing the C4b binding site has similarly been expressed and designated sCR1[desLHR-A]. sCR1[desLHR-A] was shown to be a selective inhibitor of the alternative complement pathway in vitro and to function in vivo. In this study, sCR1 and sCR1[desLHR-A] were expressed in CHO LEC11 cells with an active alpha(1,3)-fucosyltransferase, which makes possible the biosynthesis of the sialyl-Lewisx (sLex) tetrasaccharide (NeuNAcalpha2-3Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAc) during post-translational glycosylation. The resulting glycoproteins, designated sCR1sLex and sCR1[desLHR-A]sLex, respectively, retained the complement regulatory activities of their DUKX B11 counterparts, which lack alpha(1-3)-fucose. Carbohydrate analysis of purified sCR1sLex and sCR1[desLHR-A]sLex indicated an average incorporation of 10 and 8 mol of sLex/mol of glycoprotein, respectively. sLex is a carbohydrate ligand for the selectin adhesion molecules. sCR1sLex was shown to specifically bind CHO cells expressing cell surface E-selectin. sCR1[desLHR-A]sLex inhibited the binding of the monocytic cell line U937 to human aortic endothelial cells, which had been activated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha to up-regulate the expression of E-selectin. sCR1sLex inhibited the binding of U937 cells to surface-adsorbed P-selectin-IgG. sCR1sLex and sCR1[desLHR-A]sLex have thus demonstrated both complement regulatory activity and the capacity to bind selectins and to inhibit selectin-mediated cell adhesion in vitro.

Uptake and processing of glycosylated mycolates for presentation to CD1b-restricted T cells.

Antigen presenting cells (APCs) expressing CD1b mediate the specific T cell recognition of mycobacterial lipid antigens. These lipid antigens require internalization by APCs prior to presentation, but the detailed mechanisms of uptake and intracellular processing are not known. Here we have examined several steps in the presentation of two related classes of CD1b-presented antigens, free and glycosylated mycolates. T cell recognition of glucose monomycolate (GMM) was blocked by agents that fix APC membranes or neutralize the pH of endosomes, indicating a requirement for GMM uptake into an acidic compartment prior to recognition. Different T cell lines responded to free mycolate or GMM without crossreactivity, yet both antigens were taken up by APCs at the same rate. This demonstrated that differential recognition of these antigens resulted from T cell specificity for their hydrophilic caps and that APCs were unable to interconvert these antigens by enzymatic or chemical deglycosylation or glycosylation. APCs were also unable to cleave mycobacterial trehalose dimycolate (TDM) at its most chemically labile linkages to yield antigenic free mycolates or GMM. Our results indicate that these mycolate-containing antigens are resistant to chemical or enzymatic cleavage by APCs, suggesting that molecular trimming is not a universal feature of lipid antigen processing.

An essential saccharide binding domain for the mAb 2C7 established for Neisseria gonorrhoeae LOS by ES-MS and MSn.

A study of bacterial surface oligosaccharides were investigated among different strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to correlate structural features essential for binding to the MAb 2C7. This epitope is widely expressed and conserved in gonococcal isolates, characteristics essential to an effective candidate vaccine antigen. Sample lipooligosaccharides (LOS), was prepared by a modification of the hot phenol-water method from which de-O-acetylated LOS and oligosaccharide (OS) components were analyzed by ES-MS-CID-MS and ES-MSnin a triple quadrupole and an ion trap mass spectrometer, respectively. Previously documented natural heterogeneity was apparent from both LOS and OS preparations which was admixed with fragments induced by hydrazine and mild acid treatment. Natural heterogeneity was limited to phosphorylation and antenni extensions to the alpha-chain. Mild acid hydrolysis to release OS also hydrolyzed the beta(1-->6) glycosidic linkage of lipid A. OS structures were determined by collisional and resonance excitation combined with MS and multistep MSn which provided sequence information from both neutral loss, and nonreducing terminal fragments. A comparison of OS structures, with earlier knowledge of MAb binding, enzyme treatment, and partial acid hydrolysis indicates a generic overlapping domain for 2C7 binding. Reoccurring structural features include a Hepalpha(1-->3)Hepbeta(1-->5)KDO trisaccharide core branched on the nonreducing terminus (Hep-2) with an alpha(1-->2) linked GlcNAc (gamma-chain), and an alpha-linked lactose (beta-chain) residue. From the central heptose (Hep-1), a beta(1-->4) linked lactose (alpha-chain), moiety is required although extensions to this residue appear unnecessary.

Structural characterization of carbohydrate sequence, linkage, and branching in a quadrupole Ion trap mass spectrometer: neutral oligosaccharides and N-linked glycans.

Several oligosaccharide and N-linked glycan samples have been utilized to evaluate structural detail obtained with an ion trap mass spectrometer (ITMS). Using multistage MS/MS (MSn) in a commercial instrument, linear sequence, linkage, and branching have been studied, as well as the positional isomers within branched glycans. Samples were prepared as methylated derivatives, which amplifies the structurally informative cross-ring and double glycosidic cleavage products associated with interresidue linkage and oligomer branching detail. Spectral analysis of a linear glucose homopolymer demonstrated ITMS to be comparable with data obtained from a triple-quadrupole instrument, and in a study of complex glycans, the feature of MSn enabled the assignment of linkages that cannot be assessed by conventional triple-quadrupole tandem instrumentation. The longer time scale of CID experiments enhances the abundance of multiple bond ruptures important for a complete understanding of structure. This technology appears to provide a significant step toward the goal of characterizing all aspects of carbohydrate structure using a single instrument.

Developmental changes in the glycosylation of glycoprotein hormone free alpha subunit during pregnancy.

Glycoprotein hormone alpha subunit, in its free form (free alpha), is a major placental product. Its glycosylation was found to change dramatically during the advancement of pregnancy. In this study, we have analyzed these glycosylation changes in five normal pregnancies. Binding to Lens culinaris lectin increased dramatically in all subjects between weeks 14 and 17 from the last menstrual period, indicating more core fucosylation as well as possible changes in branching of glycans. Studies using Datura stramonium agglutinin confirmed that the type of triantennary branching changed in this period of pregnancy. The precise structural nature of these changes was determined by high-pH anion-exchange chromatography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Amounts of core fucosylation and of triantennary glycans increased substantially from early to late second trimester, and a shift was observed from 1-->4/1-->3- toward predominantly 1-->6/1-->6-branched triantennary structures. The glycosylation changes occurred in all five individuals at the same time period in gestation, suggesting developmental regulation of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases IV and V and alpha6-fucosyltransferase during normal pregnancy. These enzymatic activities also appear to be affected in malignant transformation of the trophoblast. Our findings have important implications for the proposed use of specific forms of glycosylation as markers for cancer, as the relative amounts of these glycans in normal pregnancy will be determined by gestational age.

Detailed characterization of carbohydrate linkage and sequence in an ion trap mass spectrometer: glycosphingolipids.

Electrospray ionization with a quadrupole ion trap (qIT) mass analyzer has been utilized to ascertain structural detail obtained with glycoconjugate samples. In this report, an isomeric disialyl glycosphingolipid sample extracted from human brain tissue was evaluated for sequence, branching, and linkage information. Results were obtained that were qualitatively comparable with triple-quadrupole instruments (Q1q2Q3) with major carbohydrate fragments from C1-O glycosidic rupture and additional fragments that provided a determination of sphingosine and N-acyl heterogeneity of the ceramide moiety. In unique contrast, however, the qIT extended carbohydrate understanding through multistep mass spectrometric (MSn) studies providing for the first time pyran cross-ring cleavages that define the interresidue linkage structure for glycolipids. This was achieved by selecting secondary fragments (MS2) free from the energy sinks of facile bond rupture that dominate product ion spectra. Isolation and activation of these substructures result in a more uniform distribution of fragments, providing structural insights previously inaccessible by tandem mass spectrometry.

Structural requirements for glycolipid antigen recognition by CD1b-restricted T cells.

The human CD1b protein presents lipid antigens to T cells, but the molecular mechanism is unknown. Identification of mycobacterial glucose monomycolate (GMM) as a CD1b-presented glycolipid allowed determination of the structural requirements for its recognition by T cells. Presentation of GMM to CD1b-restricted T cells was not affected by substantial variations in its lipid tails, but was extremely sensitive to chemical alterations in its carbohydrate or other polar substituents. These findings support the view that the recently demonstrated hydrophobic CD1 groove binds the acyl chains of lipid antigens relatively nonspecifically, thereby positioning the hydrophilic components for highly specific interactions with T cell antigen receptors.

Structural characterization of the disialogangliosides of murine peritoneal macrophages.

Sialoglycosphingolipids (gangliosides) have been increasingly implicated as regulators of membrane signaling events. Macrophage ganglioside patterns dramatically increase in complexity when murine peritoneal macrophages are stimulated in vivo with the appearance of the sialidase-sensitive monosialoganglioside GM1b (cisGM1) as a major component. Gangliosides from stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages were separated into monosialo and polysialo fractions and the polysialo fraction structurally characterized by enzymatic, chemical, and mass spectra methods. All detectable components of the polysialo fraction were determined to be disialogangliosides. Treatment of the polysialo fraction with Clostridium perfringens sialidase produced mostly the sialidase-resistant monosialoganglioside, GM1a, and a minor amount of asialoGM1. Periodate oxidation and mass spectrometry analyses demonstrated the lack of tandem disialo moieties which indicated the absence of GD1b or GD1c (GD1) entities. The combined data showed the major disialogangliosides consisted of GD1a entities comprising IV3-NeuAc,II3NeuAc-GgOse4Cer, IV3-NeuGc,II3NeuAc-GgOse4Cer, IV3NeuAc,II3NeuGc-GgOse4Cer, and IV3-NeuGc,II3NeuGc-GgOse4Cer. Minor components consisted of GD1alpha entities, IV3NeuAc, III6NeuAcGgOse4Cer, IV3NeuGc, III6NeuGc-GgOse4Cer, and also positional isomer(s) of GD1alpha(NeuAc, NeuGc). These isomeric components were identified by collision analysis and tandem mass spectrometry. Consistent with previous analyses, the ceramide portion of all polysialo (disialo) gangliosides contained solely C18 sphingosine with C16 and C24 fatty acid moieties. These results, combined with the previous characterization of macrophage monosialogangliosides, indicate normal murine macrophage ganglioside biosynthesis proceeds along the "a" ganglioside pathway, e.g., GM3-->GM2-->GM1a-->GD1a, and the proposed asialoganglioside or "alpha" pathway, asialoGM1-->GM1b-->GD1alpha. The presence of totally sialidase-sensitive gangliosides appears to be characteristic of functional murine peritoneal macrophages while they are reduced in genetically impaired cells.

Transfer of Man9GlcNAc to L-fucose by endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from Arthrobacter protophormiae.

We have reported that transglycosylation activity of endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from Arthrobacter protophormiae (endo-A) can be enhanced to near completion using GlcNAc as an acceptor in a medium containing 30% acetone (Fan J-Q, Takegawa K, Iwahara S, Kondo A, Kato I, Abeygunawardana C, Lee YC (1995) J Biol Chem 270: 17723-29). In this paper, we found that the endo-A can also transfer an oligosaccharide, Man9GlcNAc, to L-Fuc using Man9GlcNAc2Asn as donor substrate in a medium containing 35% acetone. The transglycosylation yield was greater than 25% when 0.2 M L-Fuc was used as acceptor. The transglycosylation produce was purified by high performance liquid chromatography on a graphitized carbon column and the presence of L-Fuc was confirmed by sugar composition analysis and electrospray mass spectrometry. Sequential exo-glycosidase digestion of pyridyl-2-aminated transglycosylation product, Man9GlcNAc-L-Fuc-PA, revealed that a beta-anomeric configuration linkage was formed between GlcNAc and L-Fuc. The GlcNAc was found to be 1,2-linked to L-Fuc by two methods: i) collision-induced decomposition on electrospray mass spectrometry after periodate oxidation, reduction and permethylation of Man9GlcNAc-L-Fuc; and ii) preparation of Man9GlcNAc-L-Fuc-PA, its periodate oxidation and reduction, followed by hydrolysis and HPLC analysis. Thus, the structure of the oligosaccharide synthesized by endo-A transglycosylation was determined to be Man9GlcNAc beta (1,2)-L-Fuc. Methyl-beta-L-fucopyranoside, L-Gal are also acceptors for the enzymic transglycosylation. However, transglycosylation failed when methyl alpha-L-fucopyranoside, D-Fuc and D-Gal were used. These results indicate that the endo-A requires not only 3-OH and 4-OH to be equatorial but also a 4C1-conformation or equivalent conformation of the acceptor to perform transglycosylation.

Monosialogangliosides of human myelogenous leukemia HL60 cells and normal human leukocytes. 2. Characterization of E-selectin binding fractions, and structural requirements for physiological binding to E-selectin.

E-selectin binding gangliosides were isolated from myelogenous leukemia HL60 cells, and the E-selectin binding pattern was compared with that of human neutrophils as described in the preceding paper in this issue. The binding fractions were identified as monosialogangliosides having a series of unbranched polylactosamine cores. Structures of fractions 12-3, 13-1, 13-2, and 14, which showed clear binding to E-selectin under the conditions described in the preceding paper, were characterized by functional group analysis by application of monoclonal antibodies, 1H-NMR, FAB-MS, and electrospray mass spectrometry with collision-induced dissociation of permethylated fractions. Fractions 12-3, 13-1, and 13-2 were characterized by the presence of a major ganglioside with the following structure: NeuAc alpha 2-->3Gal beta 1-->4 GlcNAc beta 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4(Fuc alpha 1-->3) GlcNAc beta 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4(Fuc alpha 1-->3)-GlcNAc beta 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->3 Gal beta 1-->4 Glc beta Cer. Fractions 12-3 and 13-2 contained, in addition, small quantities (10-15%) of extended SLex with internally fucosylated structures: NeuAc alpha 2-->3 Gal beta 1-->4-(Fuc alpha 1-->3) GlcNAc beta 1-->3 Gal beta 1-->4(Fuc alpha 1-->3) GlcNAc beta 1-->3 Gal beta 1-->4 (+/- Fuc alpha 1-->3)GlcNA c beta 1-->3 Gal beta beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->3 Gal beta 1-->Glc Beta Cer. Fraction 13-1, showing stronger E-selectin binding activity than 12-3 and 13-2, contained only a trace quantity (< 1%) of SLex. Fraction 14, which also showed clear binding to E-selectin, was characterized by the presence of the following structures, in addition to two internally monofucosylated structures (XX and XXI, Table 2, text): NeuAc alpha 2-->3Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4(Fuc alpha 1-->3)GlcNAc beta 1-->3 Gal beta 1-->4(Fuc alpha 1-->3)GlcNAc beta 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4 GlcNAc beta 1-->3 Gal beta 1-->4 GlcNAc beta 1-->3 Gal beta 1-->4 Glc beta Cer; andNeuAc alpha 2-->3Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->3 Gal beta 1-->4(Fuc alpha 1-->3)GlcNAc beta 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4 (Fuc alpha 1--3)-GlcNAc beta 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->3Gal beta 1--4Glc beta Cer. SLex determinant was completely absent. Thus, the E-selectin binding epitope in HL60 cells is carried by unbranched terminally alpha 2-->3 sialylated polylactosamine having at least 10 monosaccharide units (4 N-acetyllactosamine units) with internal multiple fucosylation at GlcNAc. These structures are hereby collectively called "myeloglycan". Monosialogangliosides from normal human neutrophils showed an essentially identical pattern of gangliosides with selectin binding property. Myeloglycan, rather than SLex, provides a major physiological epitope in E-selectin-dependent binding of leukocytes and HL60 cells.

Detailed structural analysis of a novel, specific O-linked glycan from the prokaryote Flavobacterium meningosepticum.

In the preceding paper, preliminary analysis revealed a new type of O-linked oligosaccharide of 1244 Da at each of two proposed glycosylation sites on several proteins secreted by the Gram-negative bacterium Flavobacterium meningosepticum (Plummer, T. H., Jr., Tarentino, A. L., and Hauer, C. R. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 13192-13196). In this report we detail the linkage, sequence, and branching of this unusual heptasaccharide by electrospray (ES) ionization mass spectrometry (MS), and collision-induced dissociation (CID). The proposed structure was supported by a combination of isotopic labeling, composition and methylation analysis, and the preparation of several chemical analogs and derivatives with each product evaluated by MS and CID. The singly branched structure contained seven residues, including three different uronyl analogs: a methylated rhamnose and mannose, a glucose, and a reducing terminal mannose. Only pyranose ring forms were detected ((2-OMe)Man1-4GlcNAcU1-4GlcU1-4Glc1-4(2-OMe)G lcU-4 [(2-OMe)Rham1-2]Man).

Carbohydrate molecular weight profiling, sequence, linkage, and branching data: ES-MS and CID.

This section summarizes several strategies for a more complete understanding of carbohydrate structure with a focus on glycolipids and glycoprotein glycans. The techniques include periodate oxidation to impart greater molecular specificity to isomeric glycans, methylation to improve sensitivity and the information content within CID spectra, electrospray for "soft" and efficient ionization, and CID to obtain structural detail. The lipophilicity of the products following derivatization contributes to product cleanup by solvent extraction and enhances sensitivity during ES. When combined with CID information, this yields sequence, linkage, and branching information. Oxidation and reduction preceding methylation augments CID analysis with an altered structure that can be profiled at the same sensitivity. Within the context of established motifs, these contrasting profiles corroborate glycan structure and specifically identify isobaric elements transparent in the initial profile. An earlier report indicating ring-opening fragments were essentially absent in low-energy collisions of methylated and natriated oligosaccharides contrasts our observations. However, as this report used a methylated oligomer containing an internal N-acetylhexose as an illustration, the conclusion is plausible (cf., Figure 9). The poor ionization efficiency of FAB and the high matrix background limit the dynamic range in the CID spectrum and, thereby, the ability to unambiguously identify weaker peaks. It would be expected that high-energy CID affords a broader range of fragment types, including ring-opening fragments. In terms of a structural methodology, this is ambivalent since the increase in fragmentation pathways also applies to small molecule eliminations which are usually less informative. In ES-CID-MS, the carbohydrate chemist has a powerful new tool in hand for structural elucidations that can be conducted at the low-picomole level. Parallel developments can be expected to continue for other ionization methods, in particular matrix-assisted desorption/ionization on linear and reflectron time of flight mass spectrometers, and improvement in the performance and sensitivity of high-resolution mass analyzers through the use of focal plane detectors and more sophisticated hardware and software for Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass measurements. These have, as yet, only begun to be applied to carbohydrate structural analysis but should add still more versatility to experimental design in the future.

Myeloglycan, a series of E-selectin-binding polylactosaminolipids found in normal human leukocytes and myelocytic leukemia HL60 cells.

Sialosyl-Lex (SLex) is assumed to be the binding epitope of E- and P-selectin in normal human neutrophils and myelocytic leukemia HL60 cells. Glycosphingolipid (GSL) fractions from large quantities of normal human neutrophils and HL60 cell extract did not contain SLex GSLs having 6-10 sugar residues, as commonly found in solid tumor cells and tissues. Instead, the binding target of E-selectin was revealed to be a series of long-chain, unbranched polylactosamine GSLs with terminally sialylated, internally alpha 1-->3 polyfucosylated structure as the major component, or having SLex at the terminus and internally polyfucosylated structure as a minor component. These GSLs are hereby collectively termed "myeloglycan." Regardless of the site of fucosylation, all myeloglycans cross-react strongly with "anti-SLex" monoclonal antibodies such as CSLEX, FH6, SNH3, and SNH4.

Carbohydrate-binding proteins in cell-matrix interactions.

1. Carbohydrate-dependent interactions have been more extensively studied during the last decade. Although the roles of carbohydrates in cellular functions are still poorly understood, the finding of carbohydrate-binding proteins in animal cells opened a great number of perspectives. 2. Animal lectins are associated with tumor progression, playing a key role in neoplastic cell interactions with endothelial cells and extracellular matrix glycoproteins such as laminin. 3. Here, we review the role of animal lectins in the migrating phenotype of neoplastic cells and normal cells such as T-lymphocytes.

Carbohydrate-binding proteins in cell-matrix interactions

1. Carbohydrate-dependent interactions have been more extensively studied during the last decade. Althought the roles of carbohydrates in cellular functions are still poorly understood, the finding of carbohydrate-binding proteins in animal cells opened a great number of perspectives. 2. Animal lectins are associated with tumor progression, playing a key role in neoplastic cell interactions with endothelial cells and extracellular matrix glycoproteins such as laminin. 3. Here, we review the role of animal lectins in the migrating phenotype of neoplastic cells and normal cells such as T-lymphocytes

Analysis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol membrane anchors by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry and collision induced dissociation.

The multi-component nature of glycosylphosphatidylinositol membrane anchors makes the analysis of their structure complex. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of delipidated glycosylphosphatidylinositol-peptide fractions can supply considerable information but requires relatively large quantities of material. High-sensitivity sequencing techniques are available for the oligosaccharide portions of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors, but there is no simple and generally applicable technique to complement this information. In this paper we describe the application of electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry and collision induced dissociation to study intact glycosylphosphatidylinositol-peptides from a Trypanosoma brucei variant surface glycoprotein. Collision of the [M + 4H]4+ pseudomolecular ions of two glycosylphosphatidylinositol-peptide glycoforms produced easily interpretable daughter ion spectra, from which detailed information on the lipid moiety, carbohydrate sequence and site of peptide attachment could be obtained. All of the collision induced dissociation cleavage events occurred in the glycosylphosphatidylinositol portion of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-peptide. This technique supplies complementary data to the high-sensitivity oligosaccharide sequencing procedures and should greatly assist glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor structure-function studies, particularly when sample quantities are limiting.