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Spermatid production is a complex regulatory process in which coordination between hormonal control and apoptosis plays a pivotal role in maintaining a balanced number of sperm cells. Apoptosis in spermatogenesis is controlled by pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic molecules. Hormones involved in the apoptotic process during spermatogenesis include gonadotrophins, sex hormones, and glucocorticoid (GC). GC acts broadly as an apoptosis inducer by binding to its receptor (glucocorticoid receptor: GR) during organ development processes, such as spermatogenesis. However, the downstream pathway induced in GC-GR signaling and the apoptotic process during spermatogenesis remains poorly understood. We reported previously that GC induces full-length glucocorticoid-induced transcript 1 (GLCCI1-long), which functions as an anti-apoptotic mediator in thymic T cell development. Here, we demonstrate that mature murine testis expresses a novel isoform of GLCCI1 protein (GLCCI1-short) in addition to GLCCI1-long. We demonstrate that GLCCI1-long is expressed in spermatocytes along with GR. In contrast, GLCCI1-short is primarily expressed in spermatids where GR is absent; instead, the estrogen receptor is expressed. GLCCI1-short also binds to LC8, which is a known mediator of the anti-apoptotic effect of GLCCI1-long. A luciferase reporter assay revealed that β-estradiol treatment synergistically increased Glcci1-short promotor-driven luciferase activity in Erα-overexpressing cells. Together with the evidence that the conversion of testosterone to estrogen is preceded by aromatase expression in spermatids, we hypothesize that estrogen induces GLCCI1-short, which, in turn, may function as a novel anti-apoptotic mediator in mature murine testis.

CD22 is an inhibitory B cell coreceptor that regulates B cell development and activation by downregulating BCR signaling through activation of SH2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1). CD22 recognizes α2,6 sialic acid as a specific ligand and interacts with α2,6 sialic acid-containing membrane molecules, such as CD45, IgM, and CD22, expressed on the same cell. Functional regulation of CD22 by these endogenous ligands enhances BCR ligation-induced signaling and is essential for normal B cell responses to Ags. In this study, we demonstrate that CD45 plays a crucial role in CD22-mediated inhibition of BCR ligation-induced signaling. However, disruption of ligand binding of CD22 enhances CD22 phosphorylation, a process required for CD22-mediated signal inhibition, upon BCR ligation in CD45−/− as well as wild-type mouse B cells but not in mouse B cells expressing a loss-of-function mutant of SHP-1. This result indicates that SHP-1 but not CD45 is required for ligand-mediated regulation of CD22. We further demonstrate that CD22 is a substrate of SHP-1, suggesting that SHP-1 recruited to CD22 dephosphorylates nearby CD22 as well as other substrates. CD22 dephosphorylation by SHP-1 appears to be augmented by homotypic CD22 clustering mediated by recognition of CD22 as a ligand of CD22 because CD22 clustering increases the number of nearby CD22. Our results suggest that CD22 but not CD45 is an endogenous ligand of CD22 that enhances BCR ligation-induced signaling through SHP-1–mediated dephosphorylation of CD22 in CD22 clusters.

Podocyte damage is a major pathological lesion leading to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Podocytes damaged by cellular stress undergo hypertrophy to compensate for podocytopenia. It is known that cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors induced by p53 ensure podocytes hypertrophy; however, its precise mechanism remains to be further investigated. In this study, we found that ubiquitin specific protease 40 (USP40) is a novel regulator of p53. Although USP40 knockout mice established in the present study revealed no abnormal kidney phenotype, intermediate filament Nestin was upregulated in the glomeruli, and was bound to and colocalized with USP40. We also found that USP40 deubiquitinated histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein 1 (HINT1), an inducer of p53. Gene knockdown experiments of USP40 in cultured podocytes revealed the reduction of HINT1 and p53 protein expression. Finally, in glomerular podocytes of mouse FSGS, upregulation of HINT1 occurred in advance of the proteinuria, which was followed by upregulation of USP40, p53 and Nestin. In conclusion, USP40 bound to Nestin deubiquitinates HINT1, and in consequence upregulates p53. These results provide additional insight into the pathological mechanism of podocyte hypertrophy in FSGS.

The protein tyrosine phosphatase CD45 plays a crucial role in B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling by activating Src family kinases.

The cause of podocyte injury in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) remains unknown. Although recent evidence points to the role of B cells and autoimmunity, the lack of animal models mediated by autoimmunity limits further research. We aimed to establish a mouse model mimicking human INS by immunizing mice with Crb2, a transmembrane protein expressed at the podocyte foot process.C3H/HeN mice were immunized with the recombinant extracellular domain of mouse Crb2. Serum anti-Crb2 antibody, urine protein-to-creatinine ratio, and kidney histology were studied. For signaling studies, a Crb2-expressing mouse podocyte line was incubated with anti-Crb2 antibody.Serum anti-Crb2 autoantibodies and significant proteinuria were detected 4 weeks after the first immunization. The proteinuria reached nephrotic range at 9-13 weeks and persisted up to 29 weeks. Initial kidney histology resembled minimal change disease in humans, and immunofluorescence staining showed delicate punctate IgG staining in the glomerulus, which colocalized with Crb2 at the podocyte foot process. A subset of mice developed features resembling FSGS after 18 weeks. In glomeruli of immunized mice and in Crb2-expressing podocytes incubated with anti-Crb2 antibody, phosphorylation of ezrin, which connects Crb2 to the cytoskeleton, increased, accompanied by altered Crb2 localization and actin distribution.The results highlight the causative role of anti-Crb2 autoantibody in podocyte injury in mice. Crb2 immunization could be a useful model to study the immunologic pathogenesis of human INS, and may support the role of autoimmunity against podocyte proteins in INS.

Germinal centers (GCs) are essential for antibody affinity maturation. GC B cells have a unique repertoire of cell surface glycans compared with naive B cells, yet functional roles for changes in glycosylation in the GC have yet to be ascribed. Detection of GCs by the antibody GL7 reflects a downregulation in ligands for CD22, an inhibitory co-receptor of the B cell receptor. To test a functional role for downregulation of CD22 ligands in the GC, we generate a mouse model that maintains CD22 ligands on GC B cells. With this model, we demonstrate that glycan remodeling plays a critical role in the maintenance of B cells in the GC. Sustained expression of CD22 ligands induces higher levels of apoptosis in GC B cells, reduces memory B cell and plasma cell output, and delays affinity maturation of antibodies. These defects are CD22 dependent, demonstrating that downregulation of CD22 ligands on B cells plays a critical function in the GC.

Germinal centres (GC) are sites of B-cell expansion and selection, which are essential for antibody affinity maturation. Compared to naive B-cells, GC B-cells have notable changes in their cell surface glycans. While these changes are routinely used to identify the GC, functional roles for these changes have yet to be ascribed. Detection of GCs by the antibody GL7 reflects a reduction in the glycan ligands for CD22, which is an inhibitory co-receptor of the B-cell receptor (BCR). To test a functional role for downregulated CD22 ligands in the GC, we generated a mouse model that maintains CD22 ligands on GC B-cells. With this model, we demonstrate that glycan remodeling plays a critical role in the maintenance of B-cells in the GC. Sustained expression of CD22 ligands induces higher levels of apoptosis in GC B-cells, resulting in reduced memory B-cell and plasma cell output as well as delayed affinity maturation of antibodies. The defect we observe in this model is dependent on CD22, highlighting that coordinated downregulation of CD22 ligands on B cells plays a critical function in the GC. Collectively, our study uncovers a crucial role for glycan remodeling and CD22 in B-cell fitness in the GC.

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), including its variant Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS), is an acute peripheral neuropathy that involves autoimmune mechanisms leading to the production of autoantibodies to gangliosides; sialic acid-containing glycosphingolipids. Although association with various genetic polymorphisms in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is shown in other autoimmune diseases, GBS is an exception, showing no such link. No significant association was found by genome wide association studies, suggesting that GBS is not associated with common variants. To address the involvement of rare variants in GBS, we analyzed Siglec-10, a sialic acid-recognizing inhibitory receptor expressed on B cells. Here we demonstrate that two rare variants encoding R47Q and A108V substitutions in the ligand-binding domain are significantly accumulated in patients with GBS. Because of strong linkage disequilibrium, there was no patient carrying only one of them. Recombinant Siglec-10 protein containing R47Q but not A108V shows impaired binding to gangliosides. Homology modeling revealed that the R47Q substitution causes marked alteration in the ligand-binding site. Thus, GBS is associated with a rare variant of the SIGLEC10 gene that impairs ligand binding of Siglec-10. Because Siglec-10 regulates antibody production to sialylated antigens, our finding suggests that Siglec-10 regulates development of GBS by suppressing antibody production to gangliosides, with defects in its function predisposing to disease.

The AMPA-type glutamate receptor (AMPAR) is a homotetrameric or heterotetrameric ion channel composed of various combinations of four subunits (GluA1–4), and its abundance in the synapse determines the strength of synaptic activity. The formation of oligomers in the endoplasmatic reticulum (ER) is crucial for AMPAR subunits’ ER-exit and translocation to the cell membrane. Although N-glycosylation on different AMPAR subunits has been shown to regulate the ER-exit of hetero-oligomers, its role in the ER-exit of homo-oligomers remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of N-glycans at GluA1N63/N363 and GluA2N370 in ER-exit under the homo-oligomeric expression conditions, whose mutants are known to show low cell surface expressions. In contrast to the N-glycosylation site mutant GluA1N63Q, the cell surface expression levels of GluA1N363Q and GluA2N370Q increased in a time-dependent manner. Unlike wild-type (WT) GluA1, GluA2WT rescued surface GluA2N370Q expression. Additionally, the expression of GluA1N63Q reduced the cell surface expression level of GluA1WT. In conclusion, our findings suggest that these N-glycans have distinct roles in the ER-exit of GluA1 and GluA2 homo-oligomers, N-glycan at GluA1N63 is a prerequisite for GluA1 ER-exit, whereas N-glycans at GluA1N363 and GluA2N370 control the ER-exit rate.

Cellular translation should be precisely controlled in response to extracellular cues. However, knowledge is limited concerning signal transduction-regulated translation. In the present study, phosphorylation was identified in the 40S small subunit ribosomal protein uS7 (Yjr123w/previously called as Rps5) by Ypk1 and Pkc1, AGC family protein kinases in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Serine residue 223 (Ser223) of uS7 in the conserved C-terminal region was crucial for this phosphorylation event. S223A mutant uS7 caused severe reduction of small ribosomal subunit production, likely due to compromised interaction with Rio2, resulting in both reduced translation and reduced cellular proliferation. Contrary to optimal culture conditions, heat stressed S223A mutant cells exhibited increased heat resistance and induced heat shock proteins. Taken together, an intracellular signal transduction pathway involving Ypk1/Pkc1 seemed to play an important role in ribosome biogenesis and subsequent cellular translation, utilizing uS7 as a substrate.

Glucose uptake is crucial for providing both an energy source and a signal that regulates cell proliferation. Therefore, it is important to clarify the mechanisms underlying glucose uptake and its transmission to intracellular signaling pathways. In this study, we searched for a novel regulatory factor involved in glucose-induced signaling by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a eukaryotic model. Requirement of the extracellular protein Ecm33 in efficient glucose uptake and full activation of the nutrient-responsive TOR kinase complex 1 (TORC1) signaling pathway is shown. Cells lacking Ecm33 elicit a series of starvation-induced pathways even in the presence of extracellular high glucose concentration. This results in delayed cell proliferation, reduced ATP, induction of autophagy, and dephosphorylation of the TORC1 substrates Atg13 and Sch9.

Background The human natural killer-1 (HNK-1) carbohydrate, a unique trisaccharide possessing sulfated glucuronic acid in a non-reducing terminus (HSO3-3GlcAs1-3Gals1-4GlcNAc-), is highly expressed in the nervous system and its spatiotemporal expression is strictly regulated. Mice deficient in the gene encoding a key enzyme, GlcAT-P, of the HNK-1 biosynthetic pathway exhibit almost complete disappearance of the HNK-1 epitope in the brain, significant reduction of long-term potentiation, and aberration of spatial learning and memory formation. In addition to its physiological roles in higher brain function, the HNK-1 carbohydrate has attracted considerable attention as an autoantigen associated with peripheral demyelinative neuropathy, which relates to IgM paraproteinemia, because of high immunogenicity. It has been suggested, however, that serum autoantibodies in IgM anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) antibody-associated neuropathy patients show heterogeneous reactivity to the HNK-1 epitope. Scope of review We have found that structurally distinct HNK-1 epitopes are expressed in specific proteins in the nervous system. Here, we overview the current knowledge of the involvement of these HNK-1 epitopes in the regulation of neural plasticity and discuss the impact of different HNK-1 antigens of anti-MAG neuropathy patients. Major conclusions We identified the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid-type glutamate receptor subunit GluA2 and aggrecan as HNK-1 carrier proteins. The HNK-1 epitope on GluA2 and aggrecan regulates neural plasticity in different ways. Furthermore, we found the clinical relationship between reactivity of autoantibodies to the different HNK-1 epitopes and progression of anti-MAG neuropathy. General significance The HNK-1 epitope is indispensable for the acquisition of normal neuronal function and can be a good target for the establishment of diagnostic criteria for anti-MAG neuropathy.

Glucocorticoids (GCs) potently induce T-cell apoptosis in a GC receptor (GR)-dependent manner and are used to control lymphocyte function in clinical practice. However, its downstream pathways remain controversial. Here, we showed that GC-induced transcript 1 (GLCCI1) is a novel downstream molecule of the GC-GR cascade that acts as an antiapoptotic mediator in thymic T cells. GLCCI1 was highly phosphorylated and colocalized with microtubules in GLCCI1-transfected human embryonic kidney QBI293A cells. GR-dependent up-regulation of GLCCI1 was associated with GC-induced proapoptotic events in a cultured thymocyte cell line. However, GLCCI1 knockdown in a thymocyte cell line led to apoptosis. Consistently, transgenic mice overexpressing human GLCCI1 displayed enlarged thymi that consisted of larger numbers of thymocytes. Further molecular characterization showed that GLCCI1 bound to both dynein light chain LC8-type 1 (LC8) and its functional kinase, p21-protein activated kinase 1 (PAK1), thereby inhibiting the kinase activity of PAK1 toward LC8 phosphorylation, a crucial event in apoptotic signaling. GLCCI1 induction facilitated LC8 dimer formation and reduced Bim expression. Thus, GLCCI1 is a candidate factor involved in apoptosis regulation of thymic T cells.-Kiuchi, Z., Nishibori, Y., Kutsuna, S., Kotani, M., Hada, I., Kimura, T., Fukutomi, T., Fukuhara, D., Ito-Nitta, N., Kudo, A., Takata, T., Ishigaki, Y., Tomosugi, N., Tanaka, H., Matsushima, S., Ogasawara, S., Hirayama, Y., Takematsu, H., Yan, K. GLCCI1 is a novel protector against glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in T cells.

Background: Andrographolide (Andro) is a diterpenoid component of the plant Andrographis paniculata that is known for its anti-tumor activity against a variety of cancer cells. Methods: We studied the effects of Andro on the viability of the human leukemia monocytic cell line THP-1 and the human multiple myeloma cell line H929. Andro was compared with cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) and vincristine (VCR), which are well-established therapeutics against hematopoietic tumors. Results: Andro reduced the viability of THP-1 and H929 in a dose-dependent manner. H929 viability was highly susceptible to Andro, although only slightly susceptible to Ara-C. The agents Andro, Ara-C, and VCR each induced apoptosis, as shown by cellular shrinkage, DNA fragmentation, and increases in annexin V-binding, caspase-3/7 activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and mitochondrial membrane depolarization. The apoptotic activities of Andro were largely suppressed by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an inhibitor of ROS production, whereas NAC hardly affected the apoptotic activities of Ara-C and VCR. Furthermore, whereas Ara-C and VCR increased the percentages of cells in the G0/G1 and G2/M phases, respectively, Andro showed little or no detectable effect on cell cycle progression. Conclusions: Andro induces ROS-dependent apoptosis in monocytic leukemia THP-1 and multiple myeloma H929 cells, underlining its potential as a therapeutic agent for treating hematopoietic tumors. Notably, the high sensitivity of H929 cells is encouraging for further studies on the use of Andro against multiple myeloma.

All vertebrate cell surfaces display a dense glycan layer often terminated with sialic acids, which have multiple functions due to their location and diverse modifications. The major sialic acids in most mammalian tissues are N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), the latter being derived from Neu5Ac via addition of one oxygen atom at the sugar nucleotide level by CMP-Neu5Ac hydroxylase (Cmah). Contrasting with other organs that express various ratios of Neu5Ac and Neu5Gc depending on the variable expression of Cmah, Neu5Gc expression in the brain is extremely low in all vertebrates studied to date, suggesting that neural expression is detrimental to animals. However, physiological exploration of the reasons for this long term evolutionary selection has been lacking. To explore the consequences of forced expression of Neu5Gc in the brain, we have established brain-specific Cmah transgenic mice. Such Neu5Gc overexpression in the brain resulted in abnormal locomotor activity, impaired object recognition memory, and abnormal axon myelination. Brain-specific Cmah transgenic mice were also lethally sensitive to a Neu5Gc-preferring bacterial toxin, even though Neu5Gc was overexpressed only in the brain and other organs maintained endogenous Neu5Gc expression, as in wild-type mice. Therefore, the unusually strict evolutionary suppression of Neu5Gc expression in the vertebrate brain may be explained by evasion of negative effects on neural functions and by selection against pathogens.

IVIG promotes bactericidal activity of neutrophils against multi-drug-resistant bacteria and enhancement of neutrophil autophagy, which may be a critical role in the bactericidal activity of neutrophils., Autophagy occurs in human neutrophils after the phagocytosis of multidrug-resistant bacteria and drug-sensitive strains, including Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The present study detected autophagy by immunoblot analysis of LC3B conversion, by confocal scanning microscopic examination of LC3B aggregate formation and by transmission electron microscopic examination of bacteria-containing autophagosomes. Patients with severe bacterial infections are often treated with IVIG alongside antimicrobial agents. Here, we showed that IVIG induced neutrophil-mediated phagocytosis of multidrug-resistant strains. Compared with untreated neutrophils, neutrophils exposed to IVIG showed increased levels of bacterial cell killing, phagocytosis, O2− release, MPO release, and NET formation. IVIG also increased autophagy in these cells. Inhibiting the late phase of autophagy (fusion of lysosomes with autophagosomes) with bafilomycin A1-reduced, neutrophil-mediated bactericidal activity. These findings indicate that autophagy plays a critical role in the bactericidal activity mediated by human neutrophils. Furthermore, the autophagosomes within the neutrophils contained bacteria only and their organelles only, or both bacteria and their organelles, a previously undocumented observation. Taken together, these results suggest that the contents of neutrophil autophagosomes may be derived from specific autophagic systems, which provide the neutrophil with an advantage. Thus, IVIG promotes the neutrophil-mediated killing of multidrug-resistant bacteria as well as drug-sensitive strains.

Lectins expressed on the cell surface are often bound and regulated by the membrane molecules containing the glycan ligands on the same cell (cis-ligands). However, molecular nature and function of cis-ligands are generally poorly understood partly because of weak interaction between lectins and glycan ligands. Cis-ligands are most extensively studied in CD22 (also known as Siglec-2), an inhibitory B lymphocyte receptor specifically recognizing α2,6 sialic acids. CD22, CD45 and IgM are suggested to be ligands of CD22. Here we labeled molecules in the proximity of CD22 in situ on B cell surface using biotin-tyramide. Molecules including CD22, CD45 and IgM were labeled in wild-type but not ST6GalI-/- B cells that lack α2,6 sialic acids, indicating that these molecules associate with CD22 by lectin-glycan interaction, and are therefore cis-ligands. In ST6GalI-/- B cells, these cis-ligands are located in a slightly more distance from CD22. Thus, the lectin-glycan interaction recruits cis-ligands already located in the relative proximity of CD22 through non-lectin-glycan interaction to the close proximity. Moreover, cis-ligands are labeled in Cmah-/- B cells that lack Neu5Gc preferred by mouse CD22 as efficiently as in wild-type B cells, indicating that very low affinity lectin-glycan interaction is sufficient for recruiting cis-ligands, and can be detected by proximity labeling. Thus, proximity labeling with tyramide appears to be a useful method to identify cis-ligands and to analyze their interaction with the lectins.

Glycosylation is a major protein modification. Although proteins are glycosylated/further modulated by several glycosyltransferases during trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus, a certain glycan epitope has only been detected on a limited number of proteins. Of these glycan epitopes, Lewis X is highly expressed in the early stage of a developing brain and plays important roles in cell-cell interaction. The Lewis X epitope is comprised of a trisaccharide (Galβ1-4 (Fucα1-3) GlcNAc), and a key enzyme for the expression of this epitope is α1, 3-fucosyltransferase 9. However, the scaffolding glycan structure responsible for the formation of the Lewis X epitope as well as its major carrier protein has not been fully characterized in the nervous system. Here we showed that the Lewis X epitope was mainly expressed on phosphacan/receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase β (RPTPβ) in the developing mouse brain. Expression of the Lewis X epitope was markedly reduced in β1, 4-galactosyltransferase 2 (β4GalT2) gene-deficient mice, which indicated that β4GalT2 is a major galactosyltransferase required for the Lewis X epitope. We also showed that the Lewis X epitope almost disappeared due to the knockout of protein O-mannose β1, 2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1, an N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase essential for the synthesis of O-mannosylated glycans, which indicated that the O-mannosylated glycan is responsible for presenting the Lewis X epitope. Since O-mannosylated glycans on phosphacan/RPTPβ could also present human natural killer-1, another glycan epitope specifically expressed in the nervous system, our results revealed the importance of O-mannosylated glycan chains in the presentation of functional glycan epitopes in the brain.

Sphingolipids are a family of eukaryotic lipids biosynthesized from sphingoid long-chain bases (LCBs). Sphingolipids are an essential class of lipids, as their depletion results in cell death. However, acute LCB supplementation is also toxic; thus, proper cellular LCB levels should be maintained. To characterize the "sphingolipid-signaling intercross," we performed a kinome screening assay in which budding yeast protein kinase-knockout strains were screened for resistance to ISP-1, a potent inhibitor of LCB biosynthesis. Here, one pair of such DIR (deletion-mediated ISP-1 resistance) genes, FPK1 and FPK2, was further characterized. Cellular LCB levels increased in the fpk1/2∆ strain, which was hypersensitive to phytosphingosine (PHS), a major LCB species of yeast cells. Concomitantly, this strain acquired resistance to ISP-1. Fpk1 and Fpk2 were involved in two downstream events; that is, ISP-1 uptake due to aminophospholipid flippase and LCB degradation due to LCB4 expression. RSK3, which belongs to the p90-S6K subfamily, was identified as a functional counterpart of Fpk1/2 in mammalian cells as the RSK3 gene functionally complemented the ISP-1-resistant phenotype of fpk1/2∆ cells.

The human natural killer-1 (HNK-1) carbohydrate comprising a sulfated trisaccharide (HSO3-3GlcAβ1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAc-) is expressed on N-linked and O-mannose-linked glycans in the nervous system and involved in learning and memory functions. Although whole/core glycan structures and carrier glycoproteins for the N-linked HNK-1 epitope have been studied, carrier glycoproteins and the biosynthetic pathway of the O-mannose-linked HNK-1 epitope have not been fully characterized. Here, using mass spectrometric analyses, we identified the major carrier glycoprotein of the O-linked HNK-1 as phosphacan in developing mouse brains and determined the major O-glycan structures having the terminal HNK-1 epitope from partially purified phosphacan. The O-linked HNK-1 epitope on phosphacan almost disappeared due to the knockout of protein O-mannose β1, 2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1, an N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase essential for O-mannose-linked glycan synthesis, indicating that the reducing terminal of the O-linked HNK-1 is mannose. We also showed that glucuronyltransferase-P (GlcAT-P) was involved in the biosynthesis of O-mannose-linked HNK-1 using the gene-deficient mice of GlcAT-P, one of the glucuronyltransferases for HNK-1 synthesis. Consistent with this result, we revealed that GlcAT-P specifically synthesized O-linked HNK-1 onto phosphacan using cultured cells. Furthermore, we characterized the as-yet-unknown epitope of the 6B4 monoclonal antibody (mAb), which was thought to recognize a unique phosphacan glycoform. The reactivity of the 6B4 mAb almost completely disappeared in GlcAT-P-deficient mice, and exogenously expressed phosphacan was selectively recognized by the 6B4 mAb when co-expressed with GlcAT-P, suggesting that the 6B4 mAb preferentially recognizes O-mannose-linked HNK-1 on phosphacan. This is the first study to show that 6B4 mAb-reactive O-mannose-linked HNK-1 in the brain is mainly carried by phosphacan.

Dystroglycan (DG) is a cell surface glycoprotein that connects extracellular matrix molecules to the intracellular cytoskeleton, functioning as mechanical and signaling axes in various physiological events. Since the ligand-binding activity of DG strictly depends on O-mannosyl glycans attached to its extracellular α-DG subunit, aberrant glycosylation causes dystroglycanopathy, a subclass of congenital muscular dystrophy. Accumulating evidence shows that like-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (LARGE), a glycosyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of a phosphodiester-linked modification on O-mannose, is essential for α-DG to gain the ligand-binding activity. We previously reported that human natural killer-1 sulfotransferase (HNK-1ST), which was originally reported as one of the enzymes responsible for HNK-1 glycoepitope, had an ability to suppress the glycosylation and the function of α-DG. In this study, we investigated how HNK-1ST regulates the glycosylation of α-DG using deletion and mutation analyses. We generated an α-DG mutant which has only one threonine residue capable of being modified by LARGE. Focusing on the single post-phosphoryl modification site, we found that HNK-1ST showed an almost complete inhibition of the LARGE-dependent modification and transferred a sulfate group to the phosphodiester-linked moiety on O-mannose. Furthermore, using an in vitro enzymatic assay system, we demonstrated that the sulfated α-DG by HNK-1ST is no longer glycosylated by LARGE. These results illustrate one possible glycosylation pathway where α-DG function is regulated by opposing actions of HNK-1ST and LARGE.

All vertebrate cell surfaces display a dense glycan layer often terminated with sialic acids, which have multiple functions due to their location and diverse modifications. The major sialic acids in most mammalian tissues are N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), the latter being derived from Neu5Ac via addition of one oxygen atom at the sugar nucleotide level by CMP-Neu5Ac hydroxylase (Cmah). Contrasting with other organs that express various ratios of Neu5Ac and Neu5Gc depending on the variable expression of Cmah, Neu5Gc expression in the brain is extremely low in all vertebrates studied to date, suggesting that neural expression is detrimental to animals. However, physiological exploration of the reasons for this long term evolutionary selection has been lacking. To explore the consequences of forced expression of Neu5Gc in the brain, we have established brain-specific Cmah transgenic mice. Such Neu5Gc overexpression in the brain resulted in abnormal locomotor activity, impaired object recognition memory, and abnormal axon myelination. Brain-specific Cmah transgenic mice were also lethally sensitive to a Neu5Gc-preferring bacterial toxin, even though Neu5Gc was overexpressed only in the brain and other organs maintained endogenous Neu5Gc expression, as in wild-type mice. Therefore, the unusually strict evolutionary suppression of Neu5Gc expression in the vertebrate brain may be explained by evasion of negative effects on neural functions and by selection against pathogens.

Unbiased transcriptome profiling and functional genomics approaches have identified ubiquitin-specific protease 40 (USP40) as a highly specific glomerular transcript. This gene product remains uncharacterized, and its biological function is completely unknown. Here, we showed that mouse and rat glomeruli exhibit specific expression of the USP40 protein, which migrated at 150 kDa and was exclusively localized in the podocyte cytoplasm of the adult kidney. Double-labeling immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy analysis of fetal and neonate kidney samples revealed that USP40 was also expressed in the vasculature, including in glomerular endothelial cells at the premature stage. USP40 in cultured glomerular endothelial cells and podocytes was specifically localized to the intermediate filament protein nestin. In glomerular endothelial cells, immunoprecipitation confirmed actual protein-protein binding of USP40 with nestin, and USP40-small-interfering RNA transfection revealed significant reduction of nestin. In a rat model of minimal-change nephrotic syndrome, USP40 expression was apparently reduced, which was also associated with the reduction of nestin. Zebrafish morphants lacking Usp40 exhibited disorganized glomeruli with the reduction of the cell junction in the endothelium and foot process effacement in the podocytes. Permeability studies in these zebrafish morphants demonstrated a disruption of the selective glomerular permeability filter. These data indicate that USP40/Usp40 is a novel protein that might play a crucial role in glomerulogenesis and the glomerular integrity after birth through the modulation of intermediate filament protein homeostasis.

This study reveals the basis for how temporal phosphoregulation of Orm protein controls sphingolipid production in response to stress. Orm protein phosphorylation is highly responsive to sphingoid bases, and Ypk1 protein kinase transmits heat stress signals to the sphingolipid biosynthesis pathway via Orm phosphorylation., Sphingoid intermediates accumulate in response to a variety of stresses, including heat, and trigger cellular responses. However, the mechanism by which stress affects sphingolipid biosynthesis has yet to be identified. Recent studies in yeast suggest that sphingolipid biosynthesis is regulated through phosphorylation of the Orm proteins, which in humans are potential risk factors for childhood asthma. Here we demonstrate that Orm phosphorylation status is highly responsive to sphingoid bases. We also demonstrate, by monitoring temporal changes in Orm phosphorylation and sphingoid base production in cells inhibited for yeast protein kinase 1 (Ypk1) activity, that Ypk1 transmits heat stress signals to the sphingolipid biosynthesis pathway via Orm phosphorylation. Our data indicate that heat-induced sphingolipid biosynthesis in turn triggers Orm protein dephosphorylation, making the induction transient. We identified Cdc55–protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) as a key phosphatase that counteracts Ypk1 activity in Orm-mediated sphingolipid biosynthesis regulation. In total, our study reveals a mechanism through which the conserved Pkh-Ypk kinase cascade and Cdc55-PP2A facilitate rapid, transient sphingolipid production in response to heat stress through Orm protein phosphoregulation. We propose that this mechanism serves as the basis for how Orm phosphoregulation controls sphingolipid biosynthesis in response to stress in a kinetically coupled manner.

CD22 (Siglec-2) is a B-cell membrane-bound lectin that recognizes glycan ligands containing α2,6-linked sialic acid (α2,6Sia) and negatively regulates signaling through the B-cell Ag receptor (BCR). Although CD22 has been investigated extensively, its precise function remains unclear due to acting multiple phases. Here, we demonstrate that CD22 is efficiently activated in trans by complexes of Ag and soluble IgM (sIgM) due to the presence of glycan ligands on sIgM. This result strongly suggests sIgM as a natural trans ligand for CD22. Also, CD22 appears to serve as a receptor for sIgM, which induces a negative feedback loop for B-cell activation similar to the Fc receptor for IgG (FcγRIIB).

By use of a mouse mucosal immunization model, LT-IIb(T13I), a nontoxic mutant type II heat-labile enterotoxin, was shown to have potent mucosal and systemic adjuvant properties. In contrast to LT-IIb, which binds strongly to ganglioside receptors decorated with either N -acetylneuraminic acid (NeuAc) or N -glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc), LT-IIb(T13I) binds NeuAc gangliosides much less well. Rather, LT-IIb(T13I) binds preferentially to NeuGc gangliosides. To determine if the adjuvant properties of LT-IIb(T13I) are altered in the absence of NeuGc ganglioside receptors, experiments were conducted using a Cmah -null mouse line which is deficient in the synthesis of NeuGc gangliosides. Several immunomodulatory properties of LT-IIb(T13I) were shown to be dependent on NeuGc gangliosides. LT-IIb(T13I) had reduced binding activity for NeuGc-deficient B cells and macrophages; binding to NeuGc-deficient T cells and dendritic cells (DC) was essentially undetectable. Treatment of Cmah -null macrophages with LT-IIb(T13I), however, upregulated the transcription of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-6, IL-17, and gamma interferon (IFN-γ), four cytokines important for promoting immune responses. The production of mucosal IgA and serum IgG against an immunizing antigen was augmented in NeuGc-deficient mice administered LT-IIb(T13I) as a mucosal adjuvant. Notably, NeuGc gangliosides are not expressed in humans. Still, treatment of human monocytes with LT-IIb(T13I) induced the secretion of IL-6, an inflammatory cytokine that mediates differential control of leukocyte activation. These results suggested that NeuAc gangliosides are sufficient to mediate the immunomodulatory properties of LT-IIb(T13I) in mice and in human cells. The nontoxic mutant enterotoxin LT-IIb(T13I), therefore, is potentially a new and safe human mucosal adjuvant.

Biotin conjugate of the most potent ligand for mouse CD22 was designed and synthesized. The key synthetic step involved the dual capability of Hanessian reaction for debenzylation and simultaneous conversion of the anomeric p-methoxyphenyl group into the corresponding phenylthioglycoside in one step. Competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for testing the binding affinity of synthetic sialosides was developed based on this biotinylated ligand.

CD22/Siglec-2 is a B cell membrane-bound lectin that recognizes glycan ligands containing alpha2,6-linked sialic acid, and negatively regulates signaling through the B cell antigen receptor (BCR). Previous studies demonstrated that synthetic sialosides that bind to CD22 augment BCR signaling by inhibiting CD22-mediated BCR regulation. Here we demonstrate that, after antigen stimulation, CD22 forms a cap together with BCR, and translocates to lipid rafts. Both co-capping of CD22 with BCR and translocation of CD22 to lipid rafts were markedly blocked by a synthetic alpha2,6-linked sialic acid, Neu5Gcalpha2-6GalbetaSE. These results strongly suggest that synthetic glycan ligand excludes CD22 from BCR-containing lipid rafts. Because CD22-mediated signal regulation requires phosphorylation of CD22 by Lyn that localizes in lipid rafts and is activated by BCR, synthetic glycan ligand regulates localization of CD22 crucial for signal regulation.

Humans and chimpanzees share99% identity in most proteins. One rare difference is a human-specific inactivating deletion in the CMAH gene, which determines biosynthesis of the sialic acid N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc). Since Neu5Gc is prominent on most chimpanzee cell surfaces, this mutation could have affected multiple systems. However, Neu5Gc is found in human cancers and fetuses and in trace amounts in normal human tissues, suggesting an alternate biosynthetic pathway. We inactivated the mouse Cmah gene and studied the in vivo consequences. There was no evidence for an alternate pathway in normal, fetal, or malignant tissue. Rather, null fetuses accumulated Neu5Gc from heterozygous mothers and dietary Neu5Gc was incorporated into oncogene-induced tumors. As with humans, there were accumulation of the precursor N-acetylneuraminic acid and increases in sialic acid O acetylation. Null mice showed other abnormalities reminiscent of the human condition. Adult mice showed a diminished acoustic startle response and required higher acoustic stimuli to increase responses above the baseline level. In this regard, histological abnormalities of the inner ear occurred in older mice, which had impaired hearing. Adult animals also showed delayed skin wound healing. Loss of Neu5Gc in hominid ancestors approximately 2 to 3 million years ago likely had immediate and long-term consequences for human biology.

Human natural killer-1 (HNK-1) carbohydrate (HSO3-3GlcAβ1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAc-R) is highly expressed in the brain and required for learning and neural plasticity. We previously demonstrated that expression of the HNK-1 epitope is mostly abolished in knockout mice for GlcAT-P (B3gat1), a major glucuronyltransferase required for HNK-1 biosynthesis, but remained in specific regions such as perineuronal nets (PNNs) in these mutant mice. Considering PNNs are mainly composed of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) and regulate neural plasticity, GlcAT-P-independent expression of HNK-1 in PNNs is suggested to play a role in neural plasticity. However, the function, structure, carrier glycoprotein and biosynthetic pathway for GlcAT-P-irrelevant HNK-1 epitope remain unclear. In this study, we identified a unique HNK-1 structure on aggrecan in PNNs. To determine the biosynthetic pathway for the novel HNK-1, we generated knockout mice for GlcAT-S (B3gat2), the other glucuronyltransferase required for HNK-1 biosynthesis. However, GlcAT-P and GlcAT-S double-knockout mice did not exhibit reduced HNK-1 expression compared with single GlcAT-P-knockout mice, indicating an unusual biosynthetic pathway for the HNK-1 epitope in PNNs. Aggrecan was purified from cultured cells in which GlcAT-P and -S are not expressed and we determined the structure of the novel HNK-1 epitope using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) as a sulfated linkage region of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), HSO3-GlcA-Gal-Gal-Xyl-R. Taken together, we propose a hypothetical model where GlcAT-I, the sole glucuronyltransferase required for synthesis of the GAG linkage, is also responsible for biosynthesis of the novel HNK-1 on aggrecan. These results could lead to discovery of new roles of the HNK-1 epitope in neural plasticity.

Background Cells have evolved the mechanisms to survive nutritional shortages in the environment. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, α-mannosidase Ams1 is known to play a role in catabolism of N-linked free oligosaccharides in the cytosol. Although, this enzyme is also known to be transported selectively from the cytosol to the vacuoles by autophagy, the physiological significance of this transport has not been clarified. Methods To elucidate the regulatory mechanism of the activity of Ams1, we assessed the enzymatic activity of the cell free extract of the wild-type and various gene disruptants under different nutritional conditions. In addition, the regulation of Ams1 at both transcription and post-translation was examined. Results The activity of Ams1 was significantly increased upon the depletion of glucose in the medium. Interestingly, the activity of the enzyme was also stimulated by nitrogen starvation. Our data showed that the activity of Ams1 is regulated by the stress responsive transcriptional factors Msn2/4 through the protein kinase A and the target of rapamycin complex 1 pathways. In addition, Ams1 is post-translationally activated by Pep4-dependent processing in the vacuoles. Conclusion Yeast cells monitor extracellular nutrients to regulate mannoside catabolism via the cellular signaling pathway. General significance This study revealed that intracellular Ams1 activity is exquisitely upregulated in response to nutrient starvation by induced expression as well as by Pep4-dependent enhanced activity in the vacuoles. The signaling molecules responsible for regulation of Ams1 were also clarified.

HNK-1 carbohydrate expressed predominantly in the nervous system is considered to be involved in cell migration, recognition, adhesion, and synaptic plasticity. Human natural killer-1 (HNK-1) carbohydrate has a unique structure consisting of a sulfated trisaccharide (HSO3-3GlcAbeta1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc-) and is sequentially biosynthesized by one of two glucuronyltransferases (GlcAT-P or GlcAT-S) and a sulfotransferase (HNK-1ST). Considering that almost all the HNK-1 carbohydrate structures so far determined in the nervous system are sulfated, we hypothesized that GlcAT-P or GlcAT-S functionally associates with HNK-1ST, which results in efficient sequential biosynthesis of HNK-1 carbohydrate. In this study, we demonstrated that both GlcAT-P and GlcAT-S were co-immunoprecipitated with HNK-1ST with a transient expression system in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that these enzymes are mainly co-localized in the Golgi apparatus. To determine which domain is involved in this interaction, we prepared the C-terminal catalytic domains of GlcAT-P, GlcAT-S, and HNK-1ST, and we then performed pulldown assays with the purified enzymes. As a result, we obtained evidence that mutual catalytic domains of GlcAT-P or GlcAT-S and HNK-1ST are important and sufficient for formation of an enzyme complex. With an in vitro assay system, the activity of HNK-1ST increased about 2-fold in the presence of GlcAT-P or GlcAT-S compared with that in its absence. These results suggest that the function of this enzyme complex is relevant to the efficient sequential biosynthesis of the HNK-1 carbohydrate.