Proposed are studies of the process by which structures of carbohydrates of cellular glycoproteins are determined. The subcellular events leading to the covalent addition and modification of complex carbohydrates on glycoproteins are known to be important in cellular interactions including the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. Alterations in these processes are implicated in cancer. Our system uses fetal hybridomas, lymphomas, hybridomas and plasmacytomas which make subcellular, membrane bound, and secreted IgM and IgG. These cells are representative of various stages of differentiation. We are using high field NMR and conventional carbohydrate chemistry to determine carbohydrate structures at each of the glycosylation sites on IgM and IgG. We are also studying carbohydrates on IgM produced by two groups of mutant cell lines. The first group produces IgM with a normal polypeptide molecular weight but with three levels of processing of the carbohydrate. The second group includes mutants which produce IgM with deletions in various constant domains. IgM secreted by the latter mutants has an altered protein structure. We can thus determine the consequences of alterations in the protein on carbohydrate processing. Finally, we are studying the subcellular events of glycoprotein synthesis and processing for membrane bound and soluble glycoproteins. Our goal is to understand how a cell determines the structure of carbohydrates on glycoproteins and how these events vary for membrane bound and secreted glycoproteins.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM034121-03
Application #
3284634
Study Section
Physiological Chemistry Study Section (PC)
Project Start
1985-09-01
Project End
1989-08-31
Budget Start
1987-09-01
Budget End
1989-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Arizona
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Tucson
State
AZ
Country
United States
Zip Code
85722