Compositions and Functions of Keratan Sulfate (KS)

KS is a mucus-like substance containing equimolar amounts of galactose and glucose, as well as acetyl and sulfate groups, it belongs to the Glycosaminoglycans family. The most important source of KS is the cornea in the human body, but it is also partially derived from the nervous system. The peripheral nervous system contains high levels of KS and KS-proteoglycans with important physiological roles. MUC1 is a widely distributed mucin glycoprotein that contains small minimally sulfated KS chains. KS has also shown important diagnostic and prognostic utility for cellular regulatory properties in epithelial and mesenchymal tissues, bone, and tumor development. Sulfated motifs on KS convey important molecular recognition information through many interacting proteins. KS plays important functions in disease-related processes, including cancer formation, inflammation, and viral infections.

Fig.1 Structural complexity of KS. (Caterson & Melrose, 2018)

KS-based Cell Surface Glycoengineering Service at CD BioGlyco

KS is highly valuable in the field of disease treatment and drug development due to its unique biological function; therefore, it is necessary to deeply analyze the structure, connection mode, biosynthesis, and protein interactions of KS, etc. CD BioGlyco has perfect precise modification and technical analysis services to provide clients with an accurate data analysis report, which is an indispensable assistance in your research way.

• Modification and evaluation service

For KS-based cell surface glycoengineering, we mainly provide two glycosylation modifications including L-fucose and sialic acid modifications. Moreover, we offer N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS) modification services. Specific sugar modifications alter the interaction properties of cell surface glycans with the complexity. Furthermore, we provide post-modified translation and expression evaluation services.

• Structural analysis service

CD BioGlyco has various kinds of advanced instruments for glycan structure analysis. We provide nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC-MS), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), MS/MS, and other technical analysis services, these methods analyze fast, accurate results, and have good reproducibility.

• Intercropping analysis service

We offer the glycan microarray service or magnetic bead linkage service for bio-functional analysis and antibody screening of different sources of KS. Using this service analysis disaccharides, tetrasaccharides, hexasaccharides monomers, and mixtures of KS.

• Other services

In addition, we provide size exclusion chromatography to separate KS of different molecular weights or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), to assist MS for detection.

Fig.2 KS-based cell surface glycoengineering service. (CD BioGlyco)

Publication

Paper Title: Automated glycan assembly of oligo-NAcetyllactosamine and keratan sulfate probes to study virus-glycan interactions

Technology: Glycan Microarray, SPR.

Journal: Chem

IF: 23.5

Published: 2017

Results: We reveal the automated synthesis of LacNAc and KS glycans from monosaccharide building blocks carrying three orthogonal protecting groups. AGA provides different oligosaccharides with different sulfation patterns and different lengths by sequential combination of building blocks and selective deprotection reactions followed by further chemical modifications. Common tetrasaccharides were modified by orthogonal conversion to four KS tetrasaccharides with different sulfation. The KS tetrasaccharide was identified as a specific interaction partner of AAVrh10 and is a novel candidate glycan receptor for this virus. Notably, AAVrh10 has a unique tropism toward cells in the brain, a tissue known to express KS. LacNAc and KS glycans, now available via AGA, will serve as molecular tools for the study of biological processes involved in these structures.

Fig.3 Graphical representation of the results by glycan microarray and SPR experiments. (Hahm, et al., 2017)

Applications of KS-based Cell Surface Glycoengineering

• Aberrant expression of KS-based cell surface predicts pancreatic cancer progression and metastasis and serves as a novel prognostic biomarker for pancreatic cancer.
• Modified KS-based cell surface glycoengineering has a growth-inhibitory effect and suppresses axonal regeneration.
• Altering the degree of sulfation of the KS by a mutation in the CHST 6 gene leads to corneal opacity in human macular corneal dystrophy.
• Modified KS-based cell surface glycoengineering plays an important role in the organization of the collagen matrix.
• Modified KS-based cell surface glycoengineering aids in neurotransmitter binding through hydrophobic, hydrogen bonding, hydrophilic, and van der Waals interactions.

Advantages

• Specific sugar modifications may act instructively in axonal guidance decisions.
• We provide extraction and analysis services without destroying the functional structure of KS.

CD BioGlyco is a professional and reliable biology company that provides comprehensive Cell Surface Glycoengineering Services. Moreover, we provide attentive Heparan Sulfate (HS), Chondroitin Sulfate (CS), Dermatan Sulfate (DS), and Hyaluronic Acid (HA) glycoengineering services. We have many different lines of analysis and accurate and reliable research reports, we are your best partner. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.