Robert S Haltiwanger

Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA

Are you Robert S Haltiwanger?

Claim your profile

Publications (50)359.97 Total impact

  • Source
    Article: A mutation in EGF repeat-8 of Notch discriminates between Serrate/Jagged and Delta family ligands.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Notch signaling affects many developmental and cellular processes and has been implicated in congenital disorders, stroke, and numerous cancers. The Notch receptor binds its ligands Delta and Serrate and is able to discriminate between them in different contexts. However, the specific domains in Notch responsible for this selectivity are poorly defined. Through genetic screens in Drosophila, we isolated a mutation, Notch(jigsaw), that affects Serrate- but not Delta-dependent signaling. Notch(jigsaw) carries a missense mutation in epidermal growth factor repeat-8 (EGFr-8) and is defective in Serrate binding. A homologous point mutation in mammalian Notch2 also exhibits defects in signaling of a mammalian Serrate homolog, Jagged1. Hence, an evolutionarily conserved valine in EGFr-8 is essential for ligand selectivity and provides a molecular handle to study numerous Notch-dependent signaling events.
    Science 11/2012; 338(6111):1229-32. · 31.20 Impact Factor
  • Article: 6-Alkynyl Fucose is a bioorthogonal analogue for O-fucosylation of Epidermal Growth Factor-like repeats and Thrombospondin Type-1 repeats by Protein O-Fucosyltransferases 1 and 2.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Protein O-Fucosyltransferase 1 (Pofut1) and Protein O-Fucosyltransferase 2 (Pofut2) add O-linked fucose at distinct consensus sequences in properly folded Epidermal Growth Factor-like (EGF) repeats and Thrombospondin Type-1 repeats (TSRs), respectively. Glycan chain elongation past O-fucose can occur to yield a tetrasaccharide on EGF repeats and a disaccharide on TSRs. Elimination of POFUT1 in mice causes embryonic lethality with Notch-like phenotypes demonstrating that O-fucosylation of Notch is essential for its function. Similarly, elimination of POFUT2 results in an early embryonic lethal phenotype in mice, although the molecular mechanism for the lethality is unknown. Recently, sugar analogues have revolutionized the study of glycans by providing a convenient method for labeling and tracking glycosylation. In order to study O-fucosylation, we took advantage of the recently developed reporter, 6-alkynyl fucose (6AF). Using the Cu(I) catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), or "click" reaction, azido-biotin allows tagging and detection of 6AF-modified proteins. Here we examine whether proteins containing EGF repeats or TSRs with O-fucose consensus sequences are specifically modified with 6AF in cell culture. Using mass spectrometry, we demonstrate that 6AF is efficiently incorporated onto the appropriate consensus sequences on EGF repeats and TSRs. Furthermore, the elongation of the O-fucose monosaccharide on EGF repeats and TSRs is not hampered when 6AF is used. These results show that 6AF is efficiently utilized in a truly bioorthogonal manner by Pofut1, Pofut2, and the enzymes that elongate O-fucose, providing evidence that 6AF is a significant new tool in the study of protein O-fucosylation.
    Glycobiology 10/2012; · 3.58 Impact Factor
  • Article: Site-specific O-Glucosylation of the Epidermal Growth Factor-like (EGF) Repeats of Notch: EFFICIENCY OF GLYCOSYLATION IS AFFECTED BY PROPER FOLDING AND AMINO ACID SEQUENCE OF INDIVIDUAL EGF REPEATS.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: O-Glucosylation of epidermal growth factor-like (EGF) repeats in the extracellular domain of Notch is essential for Notch function. O-Glucose can be elongated by xylose to the trisaccharide, Xylα1-3Xylα1-3Glcβ1-O-Ser, whose synthesis is catalyzed by the consecutive action of three glycosyltransferases. A UDP-glucose:protein O-glucosyltransferase (Poglut/Rumi) transfers O-glucose to serine within the O-glucose consensus. Subsequently, either of two UDP-xylose:glucoside xylosyltransferases (Gxylt1 or Gxylt2) transfers xylose to O-glucose. Finally, a UDP-xylose:xyloside xylosyltransferase (Xxylt1) transfers xylose to Xylα1-3Glcβ1-O-EGF. Our prior site-mapping studies demonstrated that O-glucose consensus sites are modified at high but variable stoichiometries in mouse Notch1 and identified a novel glycosylation site with alanine in place of proline, suggesting a revised, broader consensus sequence (CXSX(P/A)C). Here we examined the molecular basis for this site specificity. A panel of EGF repeats from human coagulation factor 9 (FA9), mouse Notch1, and Notch2 were bacterially expressed and purified by reverse phase HPLC for use in in vitro enzyme assays. We demonstrate that proper folding of EGF repeats is essential for glycosylation by Poglut/Rumi, that alanine can substitute for proline in the context of coagulation factor 9 EGF repeat for O-glucose transfer, confirming the new consensus sequence, and that positively charged residues within the O-glucose consensus sequence reduce efficiency of glycosylation by Poglut/Rumi. Moreover, proper folding of EGF repeats is also important for the activities of Gxylt1, Gxylt2, and Xxylt1. These results indicate that protein folding and amino acid sequences of individual EGF repeats fundamentally affect both attachment and elongation of O-glucose glycans.
    Journal of Biological Chemistry 08/2012; 287(41):33934-44. · 4.77 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Molecular cloning of a xylosyltransferase that transfers the second xylose to O-glucosylated epidermal growth factor repeats of notch.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The extracellular domain of Notch contains epidermal growth factor (EGF) repeats that are extensively modified with different O-linked glycans. O-Fucosylation is essential for receptor function, and elongation with N-acetylglucosamine, catalyzed by members of the Fringe family, modulates Notch activity. Only recently, genes encoding enzymes involved in the O-glucosylation pathway have been cloned. In the Drosophila mutant rumi, characterized by a mutation in the protein O-glucosyltransferase, Notch signaling is impaired in a temperature-dependent manner, and a mouse knock-out leads to embryonic lethality. We have previously identified two human genes, GXYLT1 and GXYLT2, encoding glucoside xylosyltransferases responsible for the transfer of xylose to O-linked glucose. The identity of the enzyme further elongating the glycan to generate the final trisaccharide xylose-xylose-glucose, however, remained unknown. Here, we describe that the human gene C3ORF21 encodes a UDP-xylose:α-xyloside α1,3-xylosyltransferase, acting on xylose-α1,3-glucoseβ1-containing acceptor structures. We have, therefore, renamed it XXYLT1 (xyloside xylosyltransferase 1). XXYLT1 cannot act on a synthetic acceptor containing an α-linked xylose alone, but requires the presence of the underlying glucose. Activity on Notch EGF repeats was proven by in vitro xylosylation of a mouse Notch1 fragment recombinantly produced in Sf9 insect cells, a bacterially expressed EGF repeat from mouse Notch2 modified in vitro by Rumi and Gxylt2 and in vivo by co-expression of the enzyme with the Notch1 fragment. The enzyme was shown to be a typical type II membrane-bound glycosyltransferase localized in the endoplasmic reticulum.
    Journal of Biological Chemistry 11/2011; 287(4):2739-48. · 4.77 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Program and abstracts for the 2011 Meeting of the Society for Glycobiology.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Cell surface mucins configure the cell surface by presenting extended protein backbones that are heavily O-glycosylated. The glycopeptide structures establish physicochemical properties at the cell surface that enable and block the formation of biologically important molecular complexes. Some mucins, such as MUC1, associate with receptor tyrosine kinases and other cell surface receptors, and engage in signal transduction in order to communicate information regarding conditions at the cell surface to the nucleus. In that context, the MUC1 cytoplasmic tail (MUC1CT) receives phosphorylation signals from receptor tyrosine kinases and serine/threonine kinases, which enables its association with different signaling complexes that conduct these signals to the nucleus and perhaps other subcellular organelles. We have detected the MUC1CT at promoters of over 500 genes, in association with several different transcription factors, and have shown that promoter occupancy can vary under different growth factor conditions. However, the full biochemical nature of the nuclear forms of MUC1 and its function at these promoter regions remain undefined. I will present evidence that nuclear forms of the MUC1CT include extracellular and cytoplasmic tail domains. In addition, I will discuss evidence for a hypothesis that the MUC1CT possesses a novel catalytic function that enables remodeling of the transcription factor occupancy of promoters, and thereby engages in regulation of gene expression.
    Glycobiology 11/2011; 21(11):1454-531. · 3.58 Impact Factor
  • Article: Rumi functions as both a protein O-glucosyltransferase and a protein O-xylosyltransferase.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Mutations in rumi result in a temperature-sensitive loss of Notch signaling in Drosophila. Drosophila Rumi is a soluble, endoplasmic reticulum-retained protein with a CAP10 domain that functions as a protein O-glucosyltransferase. In human and mouse genomes, three potential Rumi homologues exist: one with a high degree of identity to Drosophila Rumi (52%), and two others with lower degrees of identity but including a CAP10 domain (KDELC1 and KDELC2). Here we show that both mouse and human Rumi, but not KDELC1 or KDELC2, catalyze transfer of glucose from UDP-glucose to an EGF repeat from human factor VII. Similarly, human Rumi, but not KDELC1 or KDELC2, rescues the Notch phenotypes in Drosophila rumi clones. During characterization of the Rumi enzymes, we noted that, in addition to protein O-glucosyltransferase activity, both mammalian and Drosophila Rumi also showed significant protein O-xylosyltransferase activity. Rumi transfers Xyl or glucose to serine 52 in the O-glucose consensus sequence ( ) of factor VII EGF repeat. Surprisingly, the second serine (S53) facilitates transfer of Xyl, but not glucose, to the EGF repeat by Rumi. EGF16 of mouse Notch2, which has a diserine motif in the consensus sequence ( ), is also modified with either O-Xyl or O-glucose glycans in cells. Mutation of the second serine (S590A) causes a loss of O-Xyl but not O-glucose at this site. Altogether, our data establish dual substrate specificity for the glycosyltransferase Rumi and provide evidence that amino acid sequences of the recipient EGF repeat significantly influence which donor substrate (UDP-glucose or UDP-Xyl) is used.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 09/2011; 108(40):16600-5. · 9.68 Impact Factor
  • Article: Glycobiology: the study of the sweet life.
    Robert S Haltiwanger, Ten Feizi
    Current Opinion in Structural Biology 09/2011; 21(5):573-5. · 9.42 Impact Factor
  • Article: Fringe benefits: functional and structural impacts of O-glycosylation on the extracellular domain of Notch receptors.
    Nadia A Rana, Robert S Haltiwanger
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The Notch family of receptors plays essential roles in many phases of development, and dysregulation of Notch activity is increasingly recognized as a player in many diseases. O-Glycosylation of the Notch extracellular domain is essential for Notch activity, and tissue-specific alterations in the glycan structures are known to regulate activity. Here we review recent advances in identification and characterization of the enzymes responsible for glycosylating Notch and molecular mechanisms for how these O-glycans affect Notch activity.
    Current Opinion in Structural Biology 09/2011; 21(5):583-9. · 9.42 Impact Factor
  • Article: O-glucose trisaccharide is present at high but variable stoichiometry at multiple sites on mouse Notch1.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Notch activity is regulated by both O-fucosylation and O-glucosylation, and Notch receptors contain multiple predicted sites for both. Here we examine the occupancy of the predicted O-glucose sites on mouse Notch1 (mN1) using the consensus sequence C(1)XSXPC(2). We show that all of the predicted sites are modified, although the efficiency of modifying O-glucose sites is site- and cell type-dependent. For instance, although most sites are modified at high stoichiometries, the site at EGF 27 is only partially glucosylated, and the occupancy of the site at EGF 4 varies with cell type. O-Glucose is also found at a novel, non-traditional consensus site at EGF 9. Based on this finding, we propose a revision of the consensus sequence for O-glucosylation to allow alanine N-terminal to cysteine 2: C(1)XSX(A/P)C(2). We also show through biochemical and mass spectral analyses that serine is the only hydroxyamino acid that is modified with O-glucose on EGF repeats. The O-glucose at all sites is efficiently elongated to the trisaccharide Xyl-Xyl-Glc. To establish the functional importance of individual O-glucose sites in mN1, we used a cell-based signaling assay. Elimination of most individual sites shows little or no effect on mN1 activation, suggesting that the major effects of O-glucose are mediated by modification of multiple sites. Interestingly, elimination of the site in EGF 28, found in the Abruptex region of Notch, does significantly reduce activity. These results demonstrate that, like O-fucose, the O-glucose modifications of EGF repeats occur extensively on mN1, and they play important roles in Notch function.
    Journal of Biological Chemistry 07/2011; 286(36):31623-37. · 4.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: Regulation of mammalian Notch signaling and embryonic development by the protein O-glucosyltransferase Rumi.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Protein O-glucosylation is a conserved post-translational modification that occurs on epidermal growth factor-like (EGF) repeats harboring the C(1)-X-S-X-P-C(2) consensus sequence. The Drosophila protein O-glucosyltransferase (Poglut) Rumi regulates Notch signaling, but the contribution of protein O-glucosylation to mammalian Notch signaling and embryonic development is not known. Here, we show that mouse Rumi encodes a Poglut, and that Rumi(-/-) mouse embryos die before embryonic day 9.5 with posterior axis truncation and severe defects in neural tube development, somitogenesis, cardiogenesis and vascular remodeling. Rumi knockdown in mouse cell lines results in cellular and molecular phenotypes of loss of Notch signaling without affecting Notch ligand binding. Biochemical, cell culture and cross-species transgenic experiments indicate that a decrease in Rumi levels results in reduced O-glucosylation of Notch EGF repeats, and that the enzymatic activity of Rumi is key to its regulatory role in the Notch pathway. Genetic interaction studies show that removing one copy of Rumi in a Jag1(+/-) (jagged 1) background results in severe bile duct morphogenesis defects. Altogether, our data indicate that addition of O-glucose to EGF repeats is essential for mouse embryonic development and Notch signaling, and that Jag1-induced signaling is sensitive to the gene dosage of the protein O-glucosyltransferase Rumi. Given that Rumi(-/-) embryos show more severe phenotypes compared to those displayed by other global regulators of canonical Notch signaling, Rumi is likely to have additional important targets during mammalian development.
    Development 05/2011; 138(10):1925-34. · 6.60 Impact Factor
  • Article: O-fucosylation of thrombospondin type 1 repeats restricts epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and maintains epiblast pluripotency during mouse gastrulation.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Thrombospondin type 1 repeat (TSR) superfamily members regulate diverse biological activities ranging from cell motility to inhibition of angiogenesis. In this study, we verified that mouse protein O-fucosyltransferase-2 (POFUT2) specifically adds O-fucose to TSRs. Using two Pofut2 gene-trap lines, we demonstrated that O-fucosylation of TSRs was essential for restricting epithelial to mesenchymal transition in the primitive streak, correct patterning of mesoderm, and localization of the definitive endoderm. Although Pofut2 mutant embryos established anterior/posterior polarity, they underwent extensive mesoderm differentiation at the expense of maintaining epiblast pluripotency. Moreover, mesoderm differentiation was biased towards the vascular endothelial cell lineage. Localization of Foxa2 and Cer1 expressing cells within the interior of Pofut2 mutant embryos suggested that POFUT2 activity was also required for the displacement of the primitive endoderm by definitive endoderm. Notably, Nodal, BMP4, Fgf8, and Wnt3 expression were markedly elevated and expanded in Pofut2 mutants, providing evidence that O-fucose modification of TSRs was essential for modulation of growth factor signaling during gastrulation. The ability of Pofut2 mutant embryos to form teratomas comprised of tissues from all three germ layer origins suggested that defects in Pofut2 mutant embryos resulted from abnormalities in the extracellular environment. This prediction is consistent with the observation that POFUT2 targets are constitutive components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) or associate with the ECM. For this reason, the Pofut2 mutants represent a valuable tool for studying the role of O-fucosylation in ECM synthesis and remodeling, and will be a valuable model to study how post-translational modification of ECM components regulates the formation of tissue boundaries, cell movements, and signaling.
    Developmental Biology 10/2010; 346(1):25-38. · 4.07 Impact Factor
  • Article: Role of glycosylation of Notch in development.
    Hideyuki Takeuchi, Robert S Haltiwanger
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The Notch pathway is one of the major signaling pathways required for proper development in metazoans. Notch activity is regulated at numerous levels, and increasing evidence reveals the importance of "protein glycosylation" (modification of Notch receptors with sugars) for its regulation. In this review we summarize the significance of the Notch pathway in development and the players responsible for its glycosylation, and then discuss the molecular mechanisms by which protein glycosylation may regulate Notch function.
    Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology 03/2010; 21(6):638-45. · 6.65 Impact Factor
  • Article: O-fucosylation of thrombospondin type 1 repeats.
    Christina Leonhard-Melief, Robert S Haltiwanger
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Thrombospondin type 1 repeats (TSRs) are small cysteine-rich motifs with three conserved disulfide bonds originally described as modules in the thrombospondins. Since then, TSRs have been found as tandem repeats in a wide variety of secreted and cell-surface proteins of diverse function. TSRs in many contexts are known to bind a variety of receptors and have antiangiogenic capabilities. They can be modified with O-linked fucose on serine/threonine found in the consensus, CX(2-3)(S/T)CX(2)G. Here we review what is known about O-fucosylation of TSRs and describe in detail mass spectral methods to map sites of O-fucosylation on proteins containing TSRs. These methods include techniques to identify glycosylated peptides and the relative amounts of elongated products by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of glycopeptides.
    Methods in enzymology 01/2010; 480:401-16. · 1.90 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Identification of glycosyltransferase 8 family members as xylosyltransferases acting on O-glucosylated notch epidermal growth factor repeats.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The epidermal growth factor repeats of the Notch receptor are extensively glycosylated with three different O-glycans. O-Fucosylation and elongation by the glycosyltransferase Fringe have been well studied and shown to be essential for proper Notch signaling. In contrast, biosynthesis of O-glucose and O-N-acetylglucosamine is less well understood. Recently, the isolation of the Drosophila mutant rumi has shown that absence of O-glucose impairs Notch function. O-Glucose is further extended by two contiguous alpha1,3-linked xylose residues. We have identified two enzymes of the human glycosyltransferase 8 family, now named GXYLT1 and GXYLT2 (glucoside xylosyltransferase), as UDP-d-xylose:beta-d-glucoside alpha1,3-d-xylosyltransferases adding the first xylose. The enzymes are specific for beta-glucose-terminating acceptors and UDP-xylose as donor substrate. Generation of the alpha1,3-linkage was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance. Activity on a natural acceptor could be shown by in vitro xylosylation of a Notch fragment expressed in a UDP-xylose-deficient cell line and in vivo by co-expression of the enzymes and the Notch fragment in insect cells followed by mass spectrometric analysis of peptide fragments.
    Journal of Biological Chemistry 11/2009; 285(3):1582-6. · 4.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: Post-translational modification of thrombospondin type-1 repeats in ADAMTS-like 1/punctin-1 by C-mannosylation of tryptophan.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Protein C-mannosylation is the attachment of alpha-mannopyranose to tryptophan via a C-C linkage. This post-translational modification typically occurs within the sequence motif WXXW, which is frequently present in thrombospondin type-1 repeats (TSRs). TSRs are especially numerous in and a defining feature of the ADAMTS superfamily. We investigated the presence and functional significance of C-mannosylation of ADAMTS-like 1/punctin-1, which contains four TSRs (two with predicted C-mannosylation sites), using mass spectrometry, metabolic labeling, site-directed mutagenesis, and expression in C-mannosylation-defective Chinese hamster ovary cell variants. Analysis of tryptic fragments of recombinant human punctin-1 by mass spectrometry identified a peptide derived from TSR1 containing the (36)WDAWGPWSECSRTC(49) sequence of interest modified with two mannose residues and a Glc-Fuc disaccharide (O-fucosylation). Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and MS/MS/MS analysis demonstrated the characteristic cross-ring cleavage of C-mannose and identified the modified residues as Trp(39) and Trp(42). C-Mannosylation of TSR1 of the related protease ADAMTS5 was also identified. Metabolic labeling of CHO-K1 cells or Lec35.1 cells demonstrated incorporation of d-[2,6-(3)H]mannose in secreted punctin-1 from CHO-K1 cells but not Lec35.1 cells. Quantitation of punctin-1 secretion in Lec35.1 cells versus CHO-K1 cells suggested decreased secretion in Lec35.1 cells. Replacement of mannosylated Trp residues in TSR1 with either Ala or Phe affected punctin secretion efficiency. These data demonstrate that TSR1 from punctin-1 carries C-mannosylation in close proximity to O-linked fucose. Together, these modifications appear to provide a quality control mechanism for punctin-1 secretion.
    Journal of Biological Chemistry 09/2009; 284(44):30004-15. · 4.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: Fucose is on the TRAIL of colon cancer.
    Robert S Haltiwanger
    Gastroenterology 06/2009; 137(1):36-9. · 11.68 Impact Factor
  • Article: Structural and mechanistic insights into lunatic fringe from a kinetic analysis of enzyme mutants.
    Kelvin B Luther, Hermann Schindelin, Robert S Haltiwanger
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The Notch receptor is critical for proper development where it orchestrates numerous cell fate decisions. The Fringe family of beta1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases are regulators of this pathway. Fringe enzymes add N-acetylglucosamine to O-linked fucose on the epidermal growth factor repeats of Notch. Here we have analyzed the reaction catalyzed by Lunatic Fringe (Lfng) in detail. A mutagenesis strategy for Lfng was guided by a multiple sequence alignment of Fringe proteins and solutions from docking an epidermal growth factor-like O-fucose acceptor substrate onto a homology model of Lfng. We targeted three main areas as follows: residues that could help resolve where the fucose binds, residues in two conserved loops not observed in the published structure of Manic Fringe, and residues predicted to be involved in UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) donor specificity. We utilized a kinetic analysis of mutant enzyme activity toward the small molecule acceptor substrate 4-nitrophenyl-alpha-L-fucopyranoside to judge their effect on Lfng activity. Our results support the positioning of O-fucose in a specific orientation to the catalytic residue. We also found evidence that one loop closes off the active site coincident with, or subsequent to, substrate binding. We propose a mechanism whereby the ordering of this short loop may alter the conformation of the catalytic aspartate. Finally, we identify several residues near the UDP-GlcNAc-binding site, which are specifically permissive toward UDP-GlcNAc utilization.
    Journal of Biological Chemistry 12/2008; 284(5):3294-305. · 4.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: Functional UDP-xylose transport across the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi membrane in a Chinese hamster ovary cell mutant defective in UDP-xylose Synthase.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: In mammals, xylose is found as the first sugar residue of the tetrasaccharide GlcAbeta1-3Galbeta1-3Galbeta1-4Xylbeta1-O-Ser, initiating the formation of the glycosaminoglycans heparin/heparan sulfate and chondroitin/dermatan sulfate. It is also found in the trisaccharide Xylalpha1-3Xylalpha1-3Glcbeta1-O-Ser on epidermal growth factor repeats of proteins, such as Notch. UDP-xylose synthase (UXS), which catalyzes the formation of the UDP-xylose substrate for the different xylosyltransferases through decarboxylation of UDP-glucuronic acid, resides in the endoplasmic reticulum and/or Golgi lumen. Since xylosylation takes place in these organelles, no obvious requirement exists for membrane transport of UDP-xylose. However, UDP-xylose transport across isolated Golgi membranes has been documented, and we recently succeeded with the cloning of a human UDP-xylose transporter (SLC25B4). Here we provide new evidence for a functional role of UDP-xylose transport by characterization of a new Chinese hamster ovary cell mutant, designated pgsI-208, that lacks UXS activity. The mutant fails to initiate glycosaminoglycan synthesis and is not capable of xylosylating Notch. Complementation was achieved by expression of a cytoplasmic variant of UXS, which proves the existence of a functional Golgi UDP-xylose transporter. A approximately 200 fold increase of UDP-glucuronic acid occurred in pgsI-208 cells, demonstrating a lack of UDP-xylose-mediated control of the cytoplasmically localized UDP-glucose dehydrogenase in the mutant. The data presented in this study suggest the bidirectional transport of UDP-xylose across endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi membranes and its role in controlling homeostasis of UDP-glucuronic acid and UDP-xylose production.
    Journal of Biological Chemistry 12/2008; 284(4):2576-83. · 4.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: Role of unusual O-glycans in intercellular signaling.
    Kelvin B Luther, Robert S Haltiwanger
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: In the last two decades, our knowledge of the role of glycans in development and signal transduction has expanded enormously. While most work has focused on the importance of N-linked or mucin-type O-linked glycosylation, recent work has highlighted the importance of several more unusual forms of glycosylation that are the focus of this review. In particular, the ability of O-fucose glycans on the epidermal growth factor-like (EGF) repeats of Notch to modulate signaling places glycosylation alongside phosphorylation as a means to modulate protein-protein interactions and their resultant downstream signals. The recent discovery that O-glucose modification of Notch EGF repeats is also required for Notch function has further expanded the range of glycosylation events capable of modulating Notch signaling. The prominent role of Notch during development and in later cell-fate decisions underscores the importance of these modifications in human biology. The role of glycans in intercellular signaling events is only beginning to be understood and appears ready to expand into new areas with the discovery that thrombospondin type 1 repeats are also modified with O-fucose glycans. Finally, a rare form of glycosylation called C-mannosylation modifies tryptophans in some signaling competent molecules and may be a further layer of complexity in the field. We will review each of these areas focusing on the glycan structures produced, the consequence of their presence, and the enzymes responsible.
    The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology 11/2008; 41(5):1011-24. · 4.89 Impact Factor
  • Article: Unsweetened Notch leads to myeloproliferation.
    Robert S Haltiwanger
    Blood 08/2008; 112(2):214-5. · 9.90 Impact Factor

Institutions

  • 2002–2012
    • Stony Brook University
      • Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
      Stony Brook, NY, USA
    • Howard Hughes Medical Institute
      Chevy Chase, MD, USA
  • 2007
    • Albert Einstein College of Medicine
      • Department of Cell Biology
      New York City, NY, USA
  • 1997–2004
    • State University of New York
      New York City, NY, USA
  • 1988
    • Johns Hopkins University
      • Department of Biological Chemistry
      Baltimore, MD, USA