Expression of stable human O-glycan core 2 beta-1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase in Sf9 insect cells

UDP-GlcNAc: Gal beta 1-3GalNAc-R (GlcNAc to GalNAc) beta-1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (C2GnT) catalyses the formation of O-glycan core 2. Purification and characterization of C2GnT from natural sources has been hampered by the instability of this enzyme. We have been able to prepare a stable partly purified recombinant human C2GnT by expression of a truncated form of the enzyme in the baculovirus/Spodoptera frugiperda 9 (Sf9) insect cell system, C2GnT activity was secreted into the Sf9 culture medium (15 pmol/min per mu l; approx. 0.2 mg/l) and was stable at 4 degrees C either in solution or after lyophilization. Endoglycosidase H and N-glycanase F treatment of the radiolabelled C2GnT indicated the presence of N-glycans at both potential N-glycosylation sites. The elimination of one or both of the two potential N-glycosylation sites or treatment of the virus-infected insect cells with tunicamycin resulted in loss of enzyme activity due in part to protein degradation.