Biosynthesis of O-GalNAc glycans in the nucleus of human cells

CEJAS, RB; GARAY, YC; IRAZOQUI FJ

Simposio; Third Argentinean Glycobiology Symposium; 2019

Biological functions of nuclear proteins are regulated by post-translational modifications (PTMs) that modulate gene expression and cellular physiology. However, the role of O-linked glycosylation (O-GalNAc) as a PTM of nuclear proteins in the human cell has not been previously reported. Here, we examined in detail theinitiation of O-GalNAc glycan biosynthesis , representing a novel PTM of nuclear proteins in the nucleus of human cells, with an emphasis on HeLa cells. Using soluble nuclear fractions from purified nuclei, enzymatic assays, fluorescence microscopy, affinity chromatography, mass spectrometry and FRET analyses, we identified all factors required for biosynthesis of O-GalNAc glycans in nuclei: the donor substrate (UDP-GalNAc), nuclear polypeptide GalNAc-transferase activity, and a GalNAc transferase (polypeptide GalNAc-T3). Moreover, we identified O-GalNAc glycosylated proteins in the nucleus and present solid evidence for OGalNAc glycan synthesis in this organelle. The demonstration of O-GalNAc glycosylation of nuclear proteins in mammalian cells reported here has important implications for cell and chemical biology.