Post-translational modifications of the core-specific lectin. Relationship to assembly, ligand binding, and secretion

The rat core-specific lectin (CSL) or mannan-binding protein is synthesized and secreted by rat hepatocytes and H-4-II-E hepatoma cells. Prior to secretion proline and lysine residues with collagen-like sequences undergo hydroxylation and subsequent glycosylation of hydroxylysine to produce glucosylgalactosylhydroxylysine. Hydroxylation and subsequent glycosylation are inhibited by alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl (Colley, K. J., and Baenziger, U. U. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 10290-10295). We have used alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl to investigate the role of hydroxylation and glycosylation on interchain disulfide bond formation, assembly of subunits into high molecular weight complexes, attainment of carbohydrate and lipid binding ability, and secretion. Formation of disulfide-bonded dimers and trimers in the endoplasmic reticulum, assembly into high molecular weight complexes in the Golgi, and attainment of carbohydrate binding activity occur in either the presence or absence of these post-translational modifications. The mature fully processed form of the CSL binds hydrophobic matrices and is secreted at a slow, but linear, rate. Inhibition of proline and lysine hydroxylation and hydroxylysine glycosylation prevents CSL secretion and attainment of binding activity for hydrophobic matrices. Secretion of the lectin, although slow, appears to be an active process and may be related to the capacity to interact with membranes and/or lipids. Other proteins known to contain collagen-like sequences such as acetylcholinesterase, pulmonary surfactant apoproteins, and C1q also interact with lipids and/or membranes. The collagen-like domains of these proteins may also play a role in promoting such interactions.