Evidence for new beta 1-3 galactosyltransferase activity involved in biosynthesis of unusual N-glycan harboring T-antigen in Apis mellifera

In a previous study (Y. Kimura et al., Biosci. Biotechnol Biochem., 70, 2583-2587, 2006), we found that new complex type N-glycans harboring Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (Ga1 beta 1-3GalNAc) unit occur on royal jelly glycoproteins, suggesting the involvement of a new beta 1-3galactosyltransferase in the synthesis of the unusual complex type N-glycans. So far, such beta 1-3galactosyltransferase activity, which can transfer galactosyl residues with the beta 1-3 linkage to beta 1-4 GalNAc residues in N-glycan, has not been found among any eucaryotic cells. But using GalNAc(2)GlcNAc(2)Man(3)-GlcNAc(2)-PA as acceptor N-glycan, we detected the beta 1-3 galactosyltransferase activity in membrane fraction prepared from honeybee cephalic portions. This result indicates that honeybee expresses a unique beta 1-3 galactosyltransferase involved in biosynthesis of the unusual N-glycan containing a tumor related antigen in the hypopharyngeal gland.

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This is published in Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry, 2007 Vol.71 Issue.4 pp.1111-1114
Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1271/bbb.70081
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(C)2008 by Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry