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Structural characterization of the N-glycans of gp273, the ligand for sperm-egg interaction in the mollusc bivalve Unio elongatulus

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Abstract

Gp273, a glycoprotein of the egg extracellular coats of the mollusc bivalve Unio elongatulus, is the ligand molecule for sperm-egg interaction during fertilization. In this study we have analyzed the N-glycans from gp273. N-glycans were enzymatically released by PNGase F digestion and their structures were elucidated by normal phase HPLC profiling of the 2-aminobenzamide-labeled N-glycans, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The combined data revealed that the N-glycans of gp273 consist of Glc1Man9GlcNAc2 and Man9GlcNAc2. In Unio, the presence of noncomplex-type N-glycans parallels the inefficacy of these glycans in the ligand function. Their role in the protection of the polypeptide chain from proteolytic attack is suggested by the electrophoretic patterns obtained after enzymatic digestion of the native and the N-deglycosylated protein. These results are discussed in the light of the evolution of the recognition and adhesion properties of oligosaccharide chains in the fertilization process.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy

    Lisa Di Patrizi, Antonietta Capone & Riccardo Focarelli

  2. Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy

    Floriana Rosati

  3. Bijvoet Center, Department of Bio-Organic Chemistry, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, NL-3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands;

    Ricardo Gutiérrez Gallego, Gerrit J. Gerwig & Johannes F.G. Vliegenthart

  4. Pharmacology Research Unit, Municipal Institute of Medicinal Research (IMIM), C/Doctor Aiguader 80, 08003, Barcelona, Spain

    Ricardo Gutiérrez Gallego

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  1. Lisa Di Patrizi
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  7. Johannes F.G. Vliegenthart
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Di Patrizi, L., Capone, A., Focarelli, R. et al. Structural characterization of the N-glycans of gp273, the ligand for sperm-egg interaction in the mollusc bivalve Unio elongatulus . Glycoconj J 18, 511–518 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1019617728660

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