Functional roles of N-glycans in regulation of neural activities

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Deciphering sugar chain-based signals regulating integrative neuronal functions
• Project/Area Number: 23110006
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Oka Shogo 京都大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (60233300)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): KAWASAKI Nana 横浜市立大学, 生命医科学研究科, 教授 (20186167) ; TAKEMATSU Hiromu 京都大学, 医学研究科, 准教授 (80324680)
• Research Collaborator: MORISE Jyoji 京都大学, 医学研究科, 助教 (60755669)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: HNK-1糖鎖 / AMPA型グルタミン酸受容体 / N型糖鎖 / ペリニューロナルネット / 質量分析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Glycosylation is one of the major post-translational protein modifications. Recently, it has become increasing clear that glycans are involved in higher brain function including neural plasticity. In this study, we mainly focused on elucidating the functional roles of N-glycans expressed on AMPA receptors (AMPAR) and HNK-1 glyco-epitope expressed in perineuronal nets (PNNs). AMPAR and PNNs are known to be key players in the regulation of neural plasticity. Using a series of mutants lacking potential N-glycosylation sites on AMPA-type glutamate receptors, we demonstrated that site-specific N-glycans have the potential to regulate AMPA receptor functions including the cell surface expression, channel property, and lateral diffusion. We also identified a unique HNK-1 glyco-epitope on aggrecan in PNNs. The HNK-1 epitope had an ability to suppress the chondroitin sulfate chains, which play an important role in neural plasticity.

Free Research Field

糖鎖生物学, 生化学