Trafficking and localization studies of recombinant α1,3-fucosyltransferase VI stably expressed in CHO cells

Borsig, Lubor ; Katopodis, Andreas G. ; Bowen, Benjamin R. ; Berger, Eric G.

In: Glycobiology, 1998, vol. 8, no. 3, p. 259-268

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    Summary
    Peripheral α1,3-fucosylation of glycans occurs by the action of either one of five different α1,3-fucosyltransferases (Fuc-Ts) cloned to date. Fuc-TVI is one of the α1,3-fucosyltransferases which is capable to synthesize selectin ligands. The major α1,3-fucosyltransferase activity in human plasma is encoded by the gene for fucosyltransferase VI, which presumably originates from liver cells. While the sequence, chromosomal localization, and kinetic properties of Fuc-TVI are known, immunocytochemical localization and trafficking studies have been impossible because of the lack of specific antibodies. Here we report on the development and characterization of a peptide-specific polyclonal antiserum mono-specific to Fuc-TVI and an antiserum to purified soluble recombinant Fuc-TVI crossreactive with Fuc-TIII and Fuc-TV. Both antisera were applied for immunodetection in stably transfected CHO cells expressing the full-length form of this enzyme (CHO clone 61/11). Fuc-TVI was found to be a resident protein of the Golgi apparatus. In addition, more than 30% of cell-associated and released enzyme activity was found in the medium. Maturation and release of Fuc-TVI was analyzed in metabolically labeled CHO 61/11 cells followed by immunoprecipitation. Fuc-TVI occurred in two forms of 47 kDa and 43 kDa bands, while the secreted form was detected as a 43 kDa. These two different intracellular forms arose by posttranslational modification, as shown by pulse-chase experiments. Fuc-TVI was released to the supernatant by proteolytic cleavage as a partially endo-H resistant glycoform