Distributions of glucuronyltransferases, GlcAT-P and GlcAT-S, and their target substrate, the HNK-1 carbohydrate epitope in the adult mouse brain with or without a targeted deletion of the GlcAT-P gene.
The HNK-1 carbohydrate epitope, a sulfated glucuronic acid at the non-reducing terminus of glycans, is expressed on glycoproteins and glycolipids and modulates neurite outgrowth and synaptic plasticity by affecting the adhesive and anti-adhesive properties. It is known that the HNK-1 carbohydrate is synthesized through two key enzymes, glucuronyltransferases (GlcAT-P and GlcAT-S). In the present study, we investigated the localization of GlcAT transcripts and HNK-1 carbohydrate in the adult mouse brain with or without GlcAT-P gene using in situ hybridization histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. Region-specific expression patterns of both GlcAT transcripts were observed. Strong expression of GlcAT-P and moderate expression of GlcAT-S were seen in neuronal cells of several nuclei of limbic-related regions and of the sensory system and the cerebellum. It was shown histologically that the localization of HNK-1 carbohydrate paralleled the pattern of expression of GlcAT transcripts in the brain. Additionally, the localization of HNK-1 carbohydrate was restricted partially in the brain of GlcAT-P-deficient mice, while the HNK-1 carbohydrate was widely distributed over most of the brain of wild-type mice. The present study provides a new framework for understanding the network constructed by the HNK-1 carbohydrate in the central nervous system.
Inoue
Mitsuhiro
M
Department of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
Kato
Keiko
K
Matsuhashi
Hitomi
H
Kizuka
Yasuhiko
Y
Kawasaki
Toshisuke
T
Oka
Shogo
S
D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D018959:CD57 Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000939:Epitopes; D017353:Gene Deletion; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012313:RNA / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
D018959:CD57 Antigens; D000939:Epitopes; D012313:RNA; C111364:galactosylgalactoylxylosylprotein 3-beta-glucuronosyltransferase; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase