Structural characterization of glycans on omega-1, a major Schistosoma mansoni egg glycoprotein that drives Th2 responses

J Proteome Res. 2010 May 7;9(5):2630-42. doi: 10.1021/pr100081c.

Abstract

Soluble egg antigens (SEA) of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni are among the strongest natural stimuli of Th2 responses. Omega-1, a major glycoprotein in SEA, initiates these characteristic Th2 responses through conditioning of dendritic cells (DCs). In view of the reported immunomodulatory potential of SEA glycans, we have investigated omega-1 glycosylation, using an approach combining mass spectrometric techniques and enzyme treatments at the glycopeptide level. We demonstrate that omega-1 has two fully occupied N-glycosylation sites, each mainly carrying core-difucosylated diantennary glycans with one or more Lewis X motifs in the antennae. Using a specific approach of nanoscale LC-MS(/MS) and MALDI-TOF(/TOF) MS in combination with exoglycosidase treatments of tryptic glycopeptides, we were able to provide a detailed, site-specific glycosylation analysis of a single, native S. mansoni glycoprotein. The obtained knowledge of the glycans present on omega-1 contributes to a full understanding of the mode of action of this immunomodulatory glycoprotein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Helminth / chemistry*
  • Antigens, Helminth / immunology
  • Egg Proteins / chemistry*
  • Egg Proteins / immunology
  • Egg Proteins / metabolism
  • Glycoproteins / chemistry*
  • Glycoproteins / immunology
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Glycosylation
  • Immunity, Humoral / drug effects
  • Peptide Fragments / analysis
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism
  • Polysaccharides / analysis*
  • Polysaccharides / immunology
  • Polysaccharides / metabolism
  • Schistosoma mansoni / chemistry*
  • Schistosoma mansoni / immunology
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Th2 Cells / drug effects
  • Th2 Cells / immunology
  • Trypsin / metabolism
  • alpha-L-Fucosidase / metabolism
  • beta-Galactosidase / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, Helminth
  • Egg Proteins
  • Glycoproteins
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Polysaccharides
  • beta-Galactosidase
  • alpha-L-Fucosidase
  • Trypsin