Rapid discovery of cell-surface glycosylation regulators using a lectin-based magnetic CRISPR screen

FACS-based CRISPR screening has emerged as a potent tool for dissecting the genetic networks that regulate cell-surface glycosylation. However, existing protocols can be tedious and are not compatible with many cell models. We developed a lectin-based magnetic-activated cell sorting platform (Lec-MACS) that enables rapid identification of genes controlling expression of specific cell-surface glycans. Lec-MACS offers superior speed and multiplexability compared to FACS, while also being well-suited to studying cell models that are not amenable to flow-based sorting. We subsequently applied Lec-MACS to map genes that regulate hypersialylation in an adherent breast cancer cell line. Subsequent hit validation confirmed an unexpected link between DNA damage response signaling and cell-surface sialylation. The Lec-MACS method will expand the scope and throughput of genetic screens targeted at cell-surface glycans.