Modification of sialic acids by 9-O-acetylation is detected in human leucocytes using the lectin property of influenza C virus.
Influenza C virus spike glycoprotein HEF specifically recognizes glycoconjugates containing 9-O-acetyl-N-acetylneuraminic acid. The same protein also contains an esterase activity. Taking advantage of these two properties, influenza C virus was used as a very sensitive probe for the detection of traces of 9-O-acetyl-N-acetylneuraminic acid in human leucocytes. The binding of influenza C virus to leucocyte glycoproteins and gangliosides separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and thin-layer chromatography, respectively, was assayed using a chromogenic esterase substrate. In this way, glycoproteins of B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes were found to contain 9-O-acetylated sialic acids. Of the various 9-O-acetylated gangliosides detected, one had the characteristics of 9-O-acetylated GD3. The identification of 9-O-acetylated sialic acids on distinct glycoproteins and glycolipids should be helpful in assigning a physiological role to this sugar.
Zimmer
G
G
Institut für Virologie, Philipps-Universität, Marburg, FRG.
Suguri
T
T
Reuter
G
G
Yu
R K
RK
Schauer
R
R
Herrler
G
G
D000107:Acetylation; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D009982:Gammainfluenzavirus / Q000378:metabolism*; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000097:blood*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism
D005732:Gangliosides; D006023:Glycoproteins; D037102:Lectins; D012794:Sialic Acids; C026226:ganglioside, GD3