J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 259, Issue 20, 12514-12518, Oct, 1984
3-O-methylation of mannose residues. A novel reaction in the processing of N-linked oligosaccharides occurring in Mucor rouxii
GZ Lederkremer and AJ Parodi
Yeast- and mycelial-form cells of the dimorphic fungus Mucor rouxii
incubated with [U-14C]glucose were found to synthesize Man-P-dolichol,
Glc-P-dolichol, and Glc3Man9GlcNAc2-P-P-dolichol. The structure of the
oligosaccharide moiety of the latter was similar to that of the same
compound isolated from other eucaryotic cells. Oligosaccharides that
migrated on paper chromatography as Man6-30GlcNAc standards were obtained
upon treatment of delipidated proteins with a protease and
endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H. The oligosaccharides that migrated
apparently as single substances on paper chromatography could be separated
into three different populations by paper electrophoresis in sodium borate
buffer. The fastest migrating substances contained only mannose and
N-acetylglucosamine residues, whereas the other two contained, in addition,
different proportions of 3-O-methylmannose units. The oligosaccharides with
the highest content of 3-O- methylmannose residues appeared to be
completely resistant to alpha- mannosidase degradation; they were, however,
cleaved by endo-beta-N- acetylglucosaminidase H. Mycelial cells synthesized
a much higher proportion of 3-O-methylmannose-containing oligosaccharides
than yeast cells. Cells incubated with [methyl-14C]methionine were found to
label only the N-linked oligosaccharides containing 3-O-methylmannose
residues. It is concluded that transfer of Glc3Man9GlcNAc2 to protein is
followed by excision of glucose and probably one or two mannose residues,
followed by further mannosylation and in some cases also methylation of
oligosaccharides. This represents a novel reaction in the processing of
N-linked oligosaccharides.