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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Pulse-chase Analysis of N-linked Sugar Chains from Glycoproteins in Mammalian Cells
Published on: April 28, 2010
UDP-sugar transporter implicated in glycosylation and processing of Notch
S Goto1, M Taniguchi, M Muraoka
1Genetic Strain Research Center, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka-ken 411-8540, Japan. sgoto@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk
A novel UDP-sugar transporter, Fringe connection (Frc), is crucial for Drosophila cellular signaling. Frc impacts both Wingless and Notch pathways, affecting Notch glycosylation and maturation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Cellular Signaling
Background:
- Glycosylation is a key post-translational modification regulating protein function in biological processes.
- The UDP-sugar transporter family plays a vital role in providing substrates for glycosylation.
- The Fringe connection (Frc) protein, also known as UDP-sugar transporter 74C (UST74C), is implicated in cellular signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of the novel UDP-sugar transporter UST74C (Frc) in Drosophila cellular signaling.
- To elucidate the role of Frc in the Wingless and Notch signaling pathways.
- To understand how Frc affects protein glycosylation and maturation within the Golgi apparatus.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Drosophila mutants in the frc gene.
- Phenotypic characterization of frc mutants, comparing them to wingless and Notch mutants.
- Assessment of Notch pathway activation and protein processing in frc mutant larvae.
- Investigation of glycosylation and proteolytic maturation defects in Notch.
Main Results:
- Mutants in the frc gene display phenotypes similar to those observed in wingless and Notch mutants.
- Both Fringe-dependent and Fringe-independent Notch signaling pathways are affected by Frc deficiency.
- Glycosylation and proteolytic maturation of Notch are impaired in frc mutant Drosophila larvae.
- Altered nucleotide-sugar levels due to Frc dysfunction differentially impact Wingless and Notch signaling.
Conclusions:
- The UDP-sugar transporter Frc is essential for proper cellular signaling in Drosophila.
- Frc plays a critical role in regulating both Wingless and Notch signaling pathways.
- Defects in Frc function lead to aberrant glycosylation and proteolytic maturation of Notch, highlighting the link between sugar metabolism and signaling.
- Changes in nucleotide-sugar availability, mediated by Frc, have distinct effects on Wingless and different facets of Notch signaling.
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