Site-Specific Synthesis of Cysteine-Bridged Glycoproteins via Expressed Protein Glycoligation

Bioconjug Chem. 2020 Oct 21;31(10):2362-2366. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.0c00437. Epub 2020 Sep 15.

Abstract

Site-specific glycosylation of a functional recombinant protein thioester is reported. The thioester functionalized protein sfGFP-Y151ThioD, prepared by genetic code expansion, underwent native chemical ligation with the cysteine-conjugated glycans H-Cys-NH-GlcNAc and H-Cys-NH-(GlcNAc)2(Man)3 to give the corresponding cysteine-bridged glycoproteins. The intact glycoproteins, which retained their fluorescence, were characterized by top-down mass spectrometry and gel electrophoresis. The bridging cysteine provided a convenient handle for affinity chromatography purification of the glycoproteins via a removable biotin tag. Given the influence that specific glycoforms can have on a protein's function, the ability to attach a homogeneous glycan to an intact protein in a functional group controlled yet sequon-independent manner could find widespread application. These preliminary results set the stage for development of the expressed protein glycoligation (EPG) concept.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biocatalysis
  • Cysteine / chemical synthesis
  • Cysteine / chemistry*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Glycoproteins / chemical synthesis*
  • Glycoproteins / chemistry
  • Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Models, Molecular
  • Solid-Phase Synthesis Techniques

Substances

  • Glycoproteins
  • Cysteine