Functions of Fucosyltransferase (FucT)

FucT is a class of biosynthetic enzymes involved in the synthesis of fucosylated oligosaccharides. It catalyzes the transfer of L-fucose from the guanosine-diphosphate-L-fucose to a variety of sugar-acceptor substrates, including oligosaccharides, glycoproteins, and glycolipids. Fucosylation of fucose is often the final step in the biosynthesis of oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates. L-fucose-containing glycoconjugates are essential for a wide range of physiological and pathological activities, such as inflammation, bacterial and viral infections, tumor metastasis, genetic disorders, etc. FucTs are highly expressed in liver cancer, lung cancer, epithelial ovarian cancer, colonic carcinoma, etc. They may be involved in metastatic processes, as well as play an important role in the repair of the airway mucosa, and are involved in embryo implantation.

FucT Engineering Service at CD BioGlyco

CD BioGlyco optimizes the experimental conditions in the course of long-term cell and mouse research. We provide a variety of cell lines and animal model products for different customers' research needs. Our FUT gene editing service includes the following parts.

• Tumor-associated FUT gene editing service
  Abnormalities in tumor cell glycosylation are considered a universal feature of tumor pathogenesis, often manifested as differential expression of abnormal glycoproteins or different carbohydrate epitopes. Fucosylation epitope abnormality is mainly caused by associated FUT expression. We provide FUT2, FUT3, FUT6, FUT7 and FUT8 gene editing services. We will construct corresponding mouse models to detect the effects of related FUT genes on tumor proliferation, metastasis, etc.
• Atherosclerosis-related FUT gene editing service
  Atherosclerosis is caused by a multifactorial combination of factors. It has become one of the diseases with the highest morbidity and mortality rates. We investigate the biological relationship between FUT genes such as FUT3, FUT4, FUT7, etc., and the development of atherosclerotic disease using mice as a model. FUT-related genes may have synergistic roles in the formation of atherosclerosis. We will also study the relationship between various FUT genes and atherosclerosis according to customers' requirements.
• Embryo implantation-related FUT gene editing service
  During mammalian reproduction, embryonic cell adhesion and implantation into the endometrium are essential for a successful pregnancy. Embryo implantation occurs during a limited period (implantation window). Many factors (hormones, growth factors, cytokines, etc.) regulate molecular changes in endometrial cells during this critical phase. Glycosylation plays an important role in determining the receptivity of the endometrium to the embryo. FUT is specifically expressed during mammalian reproduction. We have related experiments using rat and mouse models to study the effects of FUT1, FUT4, FUT7, FUT9, etc., on embryo implantation.
• Protein O-fucosyltransferase (POFUT) gene editing service
  Among the many forms of glycosylation modification, protein O-fucosylation is shown to be closely related to important physiological activities such as animal embryonic development, cell migration, tumor growth, metastasis, etc. POFUT is a key enzyme that catalyzes protein O-fucosylation. It is shown to regulate a series of physiological and pathological processes in animals and humans. We test the function of POFUT in disease development by regulating the expression level of POFUT to provide data support for further treatment and diagnosis of diseases.

In plants, the functions related to O-fucosylation are less studied. Its catalytic key enzyme, namely O-fucosyltransferase (POFUT), lacks systematic research, and O-fucosylation-modifying proteins are not identified. We verify the function of POFUT in plants by overexpression, silencing, Knockdown, and other technologies for gene modification.

Fig.1 One-stop FUT gene editing process. (CD BioGlyco)

Published Data

Paper Title: FUT1-mediated terminal fucosylation acts as a new target to attenuate renal fibrosis

Technology: Gene Overexpression

Journal: Molecular Medicine

IF: 5.7

Published: 2023

Results: The results of overexpression of FUT1 in human kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) showed that FUT1 overexpression increased terminal fucoidan glycosylation in HK-2 cells. TGF-β1 stimulation induced HK-2 cells to form a spindle-like shape and detach from neighboring cells. Overexpression of FUT1 is found to further promote TGF-β1-induced aberrant cell morphology. Overexpression of FUT1 combined with TGF-β1 treatment significantly increases the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in HK-2 cells. FUT1-mediated terminal fucosylation could promote renal fibrosis through EMT.

Fig.2 FUT1 promotes renal fibrosis in HK-2 cells. (Luo, et al., 2023)

Applications

• Technologies for FUT gene editing are used to study the role of FUT in disease development and thus to develop potent and selective inhibitors against specific FucT.
• Systematic studies of FUcT in plants are lacking. O-fucosylation-modified proteins are not identified. Technologies for FUT gene editing are used to study its function in plants.
• FUT is associated with physiological activities such as embryo implantation in organisms. Technologies for FUT gene editing have a role in regulating physiological activities.

Highlights

• We have a diverse range of animal models. Multiple requirements of clients are fulfilled.
• We have an experienced team. The efficiency of editing is improved by optimizing the experimental process.
• Technologies for FUT gene editing help deepen the understanding of the biology of different diseases and provide the basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies.

CD BioGlyco has rich experience in cell biology, molecular biology, in vitro biology, and other fields. We provide a complete set of gene editing services. In addition to FucT, we also provide Sialyltransferase Engineering Service and Glucuronyltransferase Engineering Service. If you want to know more about them, please feel free to contact us.

Reference:

1. Luo, J.; et al. FUT1-mediated terminal fucosylation acts as a new target to attenuate renal fibrosis. Molecular Medicine. 2023, 29(1): 55.