title: Expression cloning of a CMP-NeuAc:NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-1'Cer alpha 2,8-sialyltransferase (GD3 synthase) from human melanoma cells.
abstract: Using an expression cloning approach, we have isolated a cDNA encoding GD3 synthase (CMP-NeuAc:NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-1'Cer alpha 2,8-sialyltransferase, EC 2.4.99.8), which is a key regulatory enzyme determining the prominence of the ganglioside biosynthesis pathway. The cloned cDNA encodes a 341-amino acid protein containing a single transmembrane domain at its N-terminal region, suggesting that the protein has a type II transmembrane topology. The sequence of alpha 2,8-sialyltransferase showed a high level of similarity with other sialyltransferases at two conserved regions typical in the sialyltransferase family. Transfected cells containing the cloned cDNA expressed GD3 ganglioside on the cell surface, which was detectable with specific anti-GD3 antibody by immunofluorescence and immunostaining after separation of isolated glycolipids on thin-layer chromatography. The cDNA hybridized to a single mRNA species of 2.4 kb in melanoma cells. This sialyltransferase is distinctive in catalyzing the formation of the alpha 2-8 linkage of sialic acids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemical Cell Research, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nara
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maruyama
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kasahara
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nagai
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sanai
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002240:Carbohydrate Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D006224:Cricetinae; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015870:Gene Expression; D015723:Gene Library; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000201:enzymology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012799:Sialyltransferases / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D012799:Sialyltransferases; C043662:alpha-N-acetylneuraminate alpha-2,8-sialyltransferase