Metabolic degradation of methylated glycans

Project Data

Project number
P 33239-B

Project title
Metabolic degradation of methylated glycans

Principal investigator
ao. Univ. Prof. Dr. Erika Staudacher

Address
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
Department of Chemistry
Muthgasse 18
A-1190 Vienna
Austria

Approval date
25.11.2019

Start of project
1.2.2020

End of project
30.6.2024

Scientific fields
106017 (Glycobiology, 60%), 106023 (Molecular Biology, 25%), 106037 (Proteomics, 15%)

Keywords
glycobiology, glycosylation, methylation, mollusc

Abstract

Wider research context:

Methylation of biomolecules plays an important role in many cellular regulation processes. For proteins and DNA, several methylating and de-methylating pathways are known. However, methyl groups are also found on glycan structures and for these, the modification mechanisms have not been investigated so far. Glycan structures play an important role in several recognition processes. Modifications on the sugar residues alter the specificity of attachment and binding events.

Hypothesis/Objectives:

In the current project we want to investigate the degradation of methylated glycan structures. Those organisms which are able to synthesise methylated glycans are expected to have also a mechanism to degrade these structures.

Snail tissues have been shown to contain methyl groups on their protein linked glycans. Therefore they are candidates for enzymes which are able to degrade those structures metabolically.

Approach:

Demethylating enzyme activity of snail organelles will be determined using native and synthetic substrates. Proteins with the desired enzyme activity will be purified, sequenced, cloned and expressed. The native as well as the recombinant protein will be characterised for their biochemical and biophysical properties. Substrate specificities will be tested with native substrates as well as with other methylated molecules in order to get an overview on further potential applications. Sequence homology search will be performed in databanks of other organisms which are known to contain methylated sugar chains (other molluscs and parasites).