Screening of enzymatic synthesis and expression of Lewis determinants in human colorectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Although colorectal carcinogenesis has been intensively studied, the published investigations do not provide a consistent description of how different carbohydrate determinants of colorectal epithelium are modified in colorectal cancer (CRC). OBJECTIVE: This study is an attempt to characterize the terminal fucosylation steps responsible for the synthesis of mono- (Lea/Lex) and difucosylated (Leb/Ley) Lewis antigens in healthy and tumour CRC tissue. METHODS: An immunohistochemical study of Lewis antigens' expression was undertaken, along with screening of the fucosyltransferase (FT) activities involved in their synthesis, on healthy and tumour samples from 18 patients undergoing CRC. RESULTS: Analysis of a(1,2/3/4)FT activities involved in the sequential fucosylation of cores 1 and 2 showed significant increases in tumour tissue. Expressed as mU/mg and control vs. tumour activity (p from Wilcoxon's test), the FT activities for Lea/ Leb synthesis were: lacto-N-biose a(1,2)/a(1,4)FT, 65.4 ± 19.0 vs. 186 ± 35.1 (p < 0.005); lacto-N-fucopentaose 1 a(1,4)FT, 64.9 ± 11.9 vs. 125.4 ± 20.7 (p < 0.005); Lea a(1,2)FT, 56.2 ± 7.2 vs. 130.5 ± 15.6 (p < 0.001). Similarly, for Lex/Ley synthesis were: N-acetyllactosamine a(1,2)-/a(1,3)FT, 53.4 ± 12.2 vs. 108.1 ± 18.9 (p < 0.001); 2'-Fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine a(1,3)FT, 61.3 ± 10.7 vs. 126.4 ± 22.9 (p < 0.001); 2'-Fucosyllactose a(1,3)FT, 38.9 ± 10.9 vs. 143.6 ± 28.9 (p < 0.001); 2'-Methyllactose a(1,3) FT, 30.9 ± 4.8 vs. 66.1 ± 8.1 (p < 0.005); and Lex a(1,2)FT, 54.3 ± 11.9 vs. 88.2 ± 14.4 (p < 0.001). Immunohistochemical Ley expression was increased (p < 0.01 according to Wilcoxon's test) in tumour tissue, with 84.6% of specimens being positive: 7.7% weak, 15.4% moderate and 61.5% high intensity. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest the activation of the biosynthesis pathways of mono- and difucosylated Lewis histo-blood antigens in tumour tissue from CRC patients, leading to the overexpression of Ley, probably at the expense of Lex

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Glycan analysis of the chicken synaptic plasma membrane glycoproteins--a major synaptic N-glycan carries the LewisX determinant.

The majority of synaptic plasma membrane components are glycosylated. It is now widely accepted that this post-translational modification is crucial during the establishment, maintenance and function of the nervous system. Despite its significance, structural information about the glycosylation of nervous system specific glycoproteins is very limited. In the present study the major glycan structures of the chicken synaptic plasma membrane (SPM) associated glycoprotein glycans were determined. N-glycans were released by hydrazinolysis, labelled with 2-aminobenzamide, treated with neuraminidase and subsequently fractionated by size exclusion chromatography. Individual fractions were characterized by the combination of high-pressure liquid chromatography, exoglycosidase treatment or reagent array analysis method (RAAM). In addition to oligomannose-type glycans, core-fucosylated complex glycans with biantennary bisecting glycans carrying the LewisX epitope were most abundant. The overall chicken glycan profile was strikingly similar to the rat brain glycan profile. The presence of the LewisX determinant in relatively large proportions suggests a tissue-specific function for these glycans.

HLA-DR inhibits granulocytic differentiation without inducing apoptosis of CD34 cells.

Hematopoietic progenitors express HLA-DR molecules. However the significance of HLA-class II molecules on CD34+ cells remains unknown. The primary role of HLA-class-II molecules is antigen presentation although a second role, that of signal transduction, has been established in B cells. The role of HLA-DR in hematopoiesis was examined by determining the ability of CD34+ progenitor cells to differentiate to "Colony Forming Unit Granulocyte-Macrophage" (CFU-GM) and "Burst Forming Unit Erythrocyte" (BFU-E) in the presence of anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibody. We observed a reduction in the number of CFU-GM which was due in part to down regulation of granulocyte rather than monocyte differentiation. These observations suggest that HLA-DR signals can regulate myelopoiesis. We point out especially the role of the HLA-DR molecule in the switch of CFU-GM between granulocyte or monocyte lineages. Although HLA-DR mediated apoptosis has been described in mature B lymphocytes apoptosis of CD34+ cells was excluded as a mechanism.

Isolation and characterization of linear polylactosamines containing one and two site-specifically positioned Lewis x determinants: WGA agarose chromatography in fractionation of mixtures generated by random, partial enzymatic alpha3-fucosylation of pure polylactosamines.

We report that isomeric monofucosylhexasaccharides, Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1- 3Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3) GlcNAc, Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3) GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4 GlcNAc and Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1- 4GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4 GlcNAc, and bifucosylhexasaccharides Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3) GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAc, Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1- 4GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4 (Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAc and Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4( Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc can be isolated in pure form from reaction mixtures of the linear hexasaccharide Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1- 3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc with GDP-fucose and alpha1,3-fucosyltransferases of human milk. The pure isomers were characterized in several ways;1H-NMR spectroscopy, for instance, revealed distinct resonances associated with the Lewis x group [Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAc] located at the proximal, middle, and distal positions of the polylactosamine chain. Chromatography on immobilized wheat germ agglutinin was crucial in the separation process used; the isomers carrying the fucose at the reducing end GlcNAc possessed particularly low affinities for the lectin. Isomeric monofucosyl derivatives of the pentasaccharides GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1- 4Gl cNAc and Galalpha1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4G lcN Ac and the tetrasaccharide Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc were also obtained in pure form, implying that the methods used are widely applicable. The isomeric Lewis x glycans proved to be recognized in highly variable binding modes by polylactosamine-metabolizing enzymes, e.g., the midchain beta1,6-GlcNAc transferase (Leppänen et al., Biochemistry, 36, 13729-13735, 1997).

Neutral N-glycans in adult rat brain tissue--complete characterisation reveals fucosylated hybrid and complex structures.

Oligosaccharides expressed on cell surface and extracellular matrix glycoconjugates are potentially of crucial importance in determining many cell interactions. The complexity of cellular organisation of the brain and suggested involvement of N-glycosylation in neural development, make this an ideal system to study the potential role of glycosylation in tissue development, maintenance and function. Neural tissues are known to contain some highly unusual glycan structures but the structures expressed in neural tissue have not as yet been studied systematically. As a first initiative to assess the type of N-glycosylation occurring in neural tissue, we have characterised all of the major neutral N-linked oligosaccharides expressed in adult rat using a combination of matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionisation mass spectrometry, exoglycosidase sequencing combined with normal-phase HPLC, and two-dimensional HPLC mapping. Oligomannosidic glycans, Man(9-5)GlcNAc2, constituted approximately 15% of the total brain N-glycan pool. The other neutral N-glycan components consisted of a series of diantennary structures (6.5%), (2,6)-branched triantennary glycans (1%) and hybrid structures (3%). Both the complex and hybrid N-glycans were characterised by the presence of outer-arm alpha(1,3)-fucosylation (forming the Lewis[x] determinant), alpha(1,6)-core fucosylation and a bisecting GlcNAc residue. Some of these are unusual or novel structures not having been reported elsewhere. A large proportion of the diantennary N-glycans either lacked Gal residues entirely or were unsubstituted on one Man residue of the trimannosyl core, notably the Man alpha(1,3)-arm. This isomeric form is indicative of the action of a novel beta-hexosaminidase activity and suggests a modification in the classical biosynthetic pathway for N-linked oligosaccharides. Furthermore, expression of large amounts of oligomannosidic glycans is not usually associated with tissue glycoproteins and suggests a possible involvement of these structures in neural cell interactions.

Lewis X structure increases cell substratum adhesion in L cells.

cDNAs of alpha-1,3-fucosyltransferase as well as alpha-1,3/4-fucosyltransferase were placed under the control of a beta-actin promoter and cytomegalovirus enhancer and were introduced into L cells. The transfected cells expressing Le(x) antigen showed increased cell substratum adhesion as compared to the antigen-negative cells, when they were cultured for 2 to 4 h in Dulbecco-modified minimum essential medium containing 0.05% bovine serum albumin. The increased cell substratum adhesion was completely inhibited by cycloheximide and anti-integrin antiserum, and partly by an RGD peptide and EGTA. These findings indicate that Le(x) structure promotes cell adhesion to substratum-bound material secreted by cells, and that the increased adhesion is mediated by integrin. Western blotting experiments have revealed an 85 kDa protein and a 50-60 kDa protein as carriers of Le(x) antigen in transfected cells. The latter is likely to be basigin, which is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and is considered to be an integrin-associated protein. We hypothesize that fucosylation of basigin enhances integrin-mediated cell substratum adhesion.

Isolation and characterization of natural protein-associated carbohydrate ligands for E-selectin.

A comparative analysis of carbohydrate 'libraries' derived from cell lines binding E-selectin with differing avidity identified endogenous protein-associated carbohydrate ligand candidates for E-selectin. Three unusual structures, which constitute less than 3% of cell surface protein-associated carbohydrate, were unique to the E-selectin-binding cells, including neutrophils and the monocytic cell line U937. All are tetraantennary N-linked structures with a NeuAc alpha 2-->3Gal beta 1-->4(Fuc alpha 1-->3)GlcNAc beta 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4- (Fuc alpha 1-->3)GlcNAc lactosaminoglycan extension (diSLex) on the arm linked through the C4 residue on the mannose. While all contained the expected SLex [NeuAc alpha 2-->3Gal beta 1-->4(Fuc alpha 1-->3)GlcNAc] moiety, these structures have an additional fucosylated lactosamine unit. Direct evidence that these diSLex-containing structures are, indeed, high-affinity ligands for E-selectin came from the use of recombinant soluble E-selectin-agarose affinity chromatography. We found that these three carbohydrate structures bound specifically to the E-selectin column. SLex itself does not bind under identical conditions. In summary, these related structures: (1) all possess an unusual 3-sialyl di-Lewis x extension on one arm of an N-linked tetraantennary glycan; (2) of the cells tested, are present only on E-selectin-binding leukocytes and leukocytic cell lines; (3) bind to E-selectin with a relatively high affinity (Kd < microM) and one greater than that of 3-sialyl Lewis x or 3-sialyl Lewis a; and (4) represent a very small percentage of the protein-associated carbohydrate. These carbohydrate structures appear to be present on only a very small number of cell surface proteins and may alone be responsible for the specificity of E-selectin-dependent adhesion.

Glycolipid composition of human cataractous lenses. Characterization of Lewisx glycolipids.

We have studied the glycolipid composition of human cataractous lenses. Neutral and acidic lipid fractions were isolated by column chromatographies on DEAE-Sephadex and Iatrobeads. The neutral glycolipid fraction and acidic glycolipid fraction contained 0.6-0.9 micrograms of lipid-bound glucose (Glc) per mg of protein and 0.8-1.3 micrograms of lipid-bound sialic acid (NeuAc) per mg of protein, respectively. The neutral glycolipid fraction was found to contain LacCer (39.0% of total neutral glycolipids), Gb3 (16.2%), Gb4 (1.1%), nLc4 (5.0%), X (29.0%), and Y (9.2%). The acidic lipid fraction was found to contain mainly GM3 (33.1% of the total ganglioside fraction), GM1 (8.3%), LM1 (7.3%), GD1a (16.0%), and G (30.1%). The structures of neutral glycolipids X and Y and ganglioside G were elucidated by high performance thin-layer chromatography overlay method of glycolipids, gas-liquid chromatography, proton NMR spectrometry, and liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry as follows: 1) X, Gal beta 1-4(Fuc alpha 1-3)GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-1'Cer, III3FucnLc4 (Lex); 2) Y, Gal beta 1-4(Fuc alpha 1-3)GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4(Fuc alpha 1- 3)GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-1'Cer, V3FucIII3FucnLc6; and 3) G, NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4(Fuc alpha 1-3)GlcNAc beta 1-3 Gal-beta 1-4Glc beta 1-1'Cer, IV3NeuAcIII3FucnLc4 (sialosyl-Le(x)). A minor neutral glycolipid Z was isolated and tentatively characterized as GlcNAc beta 1-3?Gal beta 1-4(Fuc alpha 1-3)GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-1'Cer (GlcNAc-Le(x)), suggesting that it may be the precursor of glycolipid Y. The major long-chain base of these human cataract glycolipids was C18:0 sphingosine (sphinganine). The major fatty acids were C16:0, C24:1 and C24:0, and monounsaturated fatty acids accounted for 40-55% of the total fatty acids.

1H-and 13C-n.m.r. spectroscopy of 2-oxo-3-deoxy-D-glycero-D- galactononulosonic acid-containing oligosaccharide-alditols bearing Lewis X, Lewis Y and A-Lewis Y determinants isolated from the jelly coat of Pleurodeles waltl eggs.

Three acidic oligosaccharide-alditols carrying Lewis X, Lewis Y and A-Lewis Y determinants were isolated from the jelly coat of Pleurodeles waltl eggs. These compounds possess the following structures. Gal beta 1-4(Fuc alpha 1-3)GlcNAc beta 1-3[2-oxo-3-deoxy-D- glycero-D-galactononulosonic acid (KDN)alpha 2-6] GalNAc-ol; Fuc alpha 1-2Gal beta 1-4(Fuc alpha 1-3)GlcNAc beta 1-3(KDN alpha 2-6) GalNAc-ol and Fuc alpha 1-2(GalNAc alpha 1-3)Gal beta 1-4(Fuc alpha 1-3)GlcNAc beta 1-3(KDN alpha 2-6)GalNAc-ol. The complete 1H-n.m.r.-spectrum assignment for the three compounds and the 13C-n.m.r. analysis of the A-Lewis Y determinant-containing heptasaccharide are reported.

Selectin GMP-140 (CD62; PADGEM) binds to sialosyl-Le(a) and sialosyl-Le(x), and sulfated glycans modulate this binding.

GMP-140 (CD62; PADGEM) is a member of the selectin family expressed highly at the surface of platelets and endothelial cells by agonists such as thrombin or phorbol esters. Previous studies indicate that the lectin domain of GMP-140 recognizes sialosyl-Le(x) (SLex) and to a lesser extent Le(x) (Polley MJ, et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 88:6224, 1991). We now report that GMP-140 binds to sialosyl Lea (SLea) and to SLex, and that degree of binding to SLea is greater than that to SLex under our experimental conditions. Binding of activated platelets to SLea or SLex was inhibited to various degrees in the presence of sulfated glycans, suggesting that sulfated glycans induce conformational change in the lectin domain of GMP-140 and modulates its binding affinity to SLea and SLex.

Sialyl-dimeric Lewis-X antigen expressed on mucin-like glycoproteins in colorectal cancer metastases.

Colorectal primary carcinomas and metastases from 20 Dukes' stage C or D patients were examined for the immunohistochemical localization and contents of various fucosylated N-acetyl-lactosamine oligomers by specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). MAbs used were SH1, specific for Lewis X antigen; FH4, specific for dimeric Lewis X antigen; FH6, specific for sialyl-dimeric Lewis X antigen; and KH1, specific for Lewis Y-Lewis X antigen. The distribution of the carbohydrate antigens identified by these MAbs was heterogeneous within the primary tumor as well as within the metastatic lesion. Examinations of serial sections indicated that areas within an individual tumor which were stained with one MAb were not always reactive with the other MAbs, although these four MAbs identify closely related structures. The degree of MAb reactivity with carcinoma sections was classified by percentage positive carcinoma cells, and primary tumors and metastases from the same patients were compared. An equivalent or higher proportion of carcinoma cells in the metastatic lesions were reactive with MAb FH6 than in the primary colon carcinomas, but each correlation was not seen with the other MAbs. Electrophoretic separation of tumor tissue extracts followed by staining with these MAbs revealed that a component having an approximate molecular weight of 1,000,000 is the major site for the binding of MAbs, FH6, FH4, and KH1. The electrophoretic mobility of the antigenic molecule on polyacrylamide gels as shown by direct MAb bindings was slightly different from that of a major sialomucin revealed by wheat germ agglutinin in the same tissues. MAb FH6 binding to a high molecular weight component was eliminated by prior treatment of the glycoprotein with mild acid or sialidase to remove sialic acid. Simultaneously, binding of MAb SH2, specific for dimeric Lex antigen, to this component increased. An extract was prepared from a liver metastasis, and high molecular weight components were isolated by gel filtration and then fractionated by DEAE-cellulose ion exchange chromatography. A fraction eluted from DEAE-cellulose between 0.10-0.25 M sodium chloride contained most of the MAb FH6 reactivity, as shown by antibody affinity chromatography. These results support a hypothesis that high molecular weight glycoproteins produced by colorectal carcinoma tissues are heterogeneous with regard to their carbohydrate chains and their antigenic structures may change during tumor progression.

Characterization of SSEA-1 glycolipids from the brain of a patient with fucosidosis.

Neutral glycolipids from the brain of a patient with Fucosidosis were analyzed and two complex glycolipids containing five and eight sugars were isolated from the cortical grey matter. These two glycolipids reacted with antibodies recognizing the SSEA-1 [Le(x)(X)] carbohydrate determinant. SSEA-1 glycolipids are normally expressed in human embryonic brain but are found in only small amounts in postnatal human brain. The accumulation of the two SSEA-1 glycolipids in Fucosidosis brain thus represents a defect which affects the normal developmentally regulated decrease in postnatal expression of these glycolipids, and may be a contributing factor in the abnormal brain development associated with the disease. Chemical characterization of the two isolated glycolipids by gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric analyses has identified the two glycolipids as lacto-N-fucopentaosylceramide (III) and difucosyl-neolactonorhexaosylceramide.