Ogt-dependent X-chromosome-linked protein glycosylation is a requisite modification in somatic cell function and embryo viability.
The Ogt gene encodes a glycosyltransferase that links N-acetylglucosamine to serine and threonine residues (O-GlcNAc) on nuclear and cytosolic proteins. Efforts to study a mammalian model of Ogt deficiency have been hindered by the requirement for this X-linked gene in embryonic stem cell viability, necessitating the use of conditional mutagenesis in vivo. We have extended these observations by segregating Ogt mutation to distinct somatic cell types, including neurons, thymocytes, and fibroblasts, the latter by an approach developed for inducible Ogt mutagenesis. We show that Ogt mutation results in the loss of O-GlcNAc and causes T-cell apoptosis, neuronal tau hyperphosphorylation, and fibroblast growth arrest with altered expression of c-Fos, c-Jun, c-Myc, Sp1, and p27. We further segregated the mutant Ogt allele to parental gametes by oocyte- and spermatid-specific Cre-loxP mutagenesis. By this we established an in vivo genetic approach that supports the ontogeny of female heterozygotes bearing mutant X-linked genes required during embryogenesis. Successful production and characterization of such female heterozygotes further indicates that mammalian cells commonly require a functional Ogt allele. We find that O-GlcNAc modulates protein phosphorylation and expression among essential and conserved cell signaling pathways.
O'Donnell
Niall
N
Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0625, USA.
Zachara
Natasha E
NE
Hart
Gerald W
GW
Marth
Jamey D
JD
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D006031:Glycosylation; D006579:Heterozygote; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation; D017351:N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010766:Phosphorylation; D044967:Serum / Q000502:physiology; D015996:Survival Rate; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014960:X Chromosome
D017351:N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases; C063057:UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-peptide beta-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase