Engineering of complex protein sialylation in plants

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1604371113
• Publication Date: 2016-07-22T02:44:05Z
• Authors: Somanath Kallolimath; Alexandra Castilho; Richard Strasser; Clemens Grünwald-...; Friedrich Altmann; Sebastian Strubl; Christina Elisabe...; Kristina Zlatina; Sebastian Peter G...; Stefan Werner; Hauke Thiesler; Sebastian Werneburg; Herbert Hildebrandt; Rita Gerardy-Schahn; Herta Steinkellner
• Keywords: Polysialic acid; Glycobiology; Rational design; Protein Engineering

Significance Sialic acid (Sia) residues are essential monosaccharides in mammals and confer multiple biological functions. Their precise generation is important for both structure–function studies biotechnological applications. We describe a unique technology that enables the controlled of protein sialylation Nicotiana benthamiana . The plant engineering approach relies on combination endogenous glycan deconstruction introduction human capabilities. An arrangement transgenic transient expression modules resulted targeted synthesis Sia structures three different linkage types, reaching polymerization degree exceeding 40 (polySia). Importantly, obtained functional activities polySia point to novel biotherapeutic Our results highlight exceptional flexibility plant-based platform complex posttranslational modifications.