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Sialylated endogenous glycoconjugates in plant cells
Miti M Shah1, Kazuhito Fujiyama, C Robert Flynn
1Harrington Department of Bioengineering and Arizona BioDesign Institute, Arizona State University, PO Box 879709, Tempe, Arizona 85287-9709, USA.
Nature Biotechnology
|November 11, 2003
Summary
Bioengineered plants can produce therapeutic proteins. This study found sialylated glycoconjugates in Arabidopsis thaliana cells, suggesting plants possess the machinery for this complex modification.
Area of Science:
- Plant biotechnology
- Glycobiology
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Bioengineered plants are explored for therapeutic protein production.
- Mammalian-like post-translational modifications, including sialylation, were thought absent in plants.
- No prior evidence supported plant sialylation capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of sialylated glycoconjugates in plants.
- To determine if plants possess the genetic and enzymatic basis for sialylation.
- To challenge the long-held assumption about plant glycosylation limitations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized suspension-cultured cells of Arabidopsis thaliana.
- Employed analytical techniques to detect and characterize glycoconjugates.
- Investigated the potential genetic and enzymatic pathways involved.
Main Results:
- Detected the presence of sialylated glycoconjugates in Arabidopsis thaliana cells.
- Provided the first evidence for sialylation capabilities in plants.
- Identified potential genetic and enzymatic underpinnings for this process.
Conclusions:
- Arabidopsis thaliana cells exhibit sialylation of glycoconjugates.
- Plants possess a genetic and enzymatic basis for sialylation.
- This finding has significant implications for plant-based biopharmaceutical production.