ARS | Publication request: Complete chemoenzymatic synthesis of the Forssman antigen using novel glycosyltransferases identified in Campylobacter jejuni and Pasteurella multocida

Submitted to: Glycobiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: October 1, 2008
Publication Date: February 1, 2009
Repository URL: http://parking.nal.usda.gov/shortterm/20844_FINAL_Houliston.pdf
Citation: Houliston, R.S., Bernatchez, S., Karwaski, M.F., Mandrell, R.E., Jarrell, H.C., Wakarchuk, W.W., Gilbert, M. 2009. Complete chemoenzymatic synthesis of the Forssman antigen using novel glycosyltransferases identified in Campylobacter jejuni and Pasteurella multocida. Glycobiology. 19:153-159.

Interpretive Summary: We have identified an alpha1,4-galactosyltransferase (CgtD) and a beta1,3-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (CgtE) in the lipooligosaccharide (LOS) locus of Campylobacter jejuni LIO87. Strains that carry these genes may have the capability of synthesizing mimics of the P blood group antigens of the globoseries glycolipids. We have also identified an alpha1,3-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (Pm1138) from Pasteurella multocida Pm70, which is involved in the synthesis of an LOS-bound Forssman antigen mimic and represents the only known bacterial glycosyltransferase with this specificity. The genes encoding the three enzymes were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli as soluble recombinant proteins that can be used to chemoenzymatically synthesize the Forssman antigen, and its biosynthetic precursors, in high yields.

Technical Abstract: We have identified an alpha1,4-galactosyltransferase (CgtD) and a beta1,3-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (CgtE) in the lipooligosaccharide (LOS) locus of Campylobacter jejuni LIO87. Strains that carry these genes may have the capability of synthesizing mimics of the P blood group antigens of the globoseries glycolipids. We have also identified an alpha1,3-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (Pm1138) from Pasteurella multocida Pm70, which is involved in the synthesis of an LOS-bound Forssman antigen mimic and represents the only known bacterial glycosyltransferase with this specificity. The genes encoding the three enzymes were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli as soluble recombinant proteins that can be used to chemoenzymatically synthesize the Forssman antigen, and its biosynthetic precursors, in high yields.