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PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
2006-2-3
pubmed:abstractText
The production of homozygous pigs with a disruption in the GGTA1 gene, which encodes alpha1,3galactosyltransferase (alpha1,3GT), represented a critical step toward the clinical reality of xenotransplantation. Unexpectedly, the predicted complete elimination of the immunogenic Galalpha(1,3)Gal carbohydrate epitope was not observed as Galalpha(1,3)Gal staining was still present in tissues from GGTA1(-/-) animals. This shows that, contrary to previous dogma, alpha1,3GT is not the only enzyme able to synthesize Galalpha(1,3)Gal. As iGb3 synthase (iGb3S) is a candidate glycosyltransferase, we cloned iGb3S cDNA from GGTA1(-/-) mouse thymus and confirmed mRNA expression in both mouse and pig tissues. The mouse iGb3S gene exhibits alternative splicing of exons that results in a markedly different cytoplasmic tail compared with the rat gene. Transfection of iGb3S cDNA resulted in high levels of cell surface Galalpha(1,3)Gal synthesized via the isoglobo series pathway, thus demonstrating that mouse iGb3S is an additional enzyme capable of synthesizing the xenoreactive Galalpha(1,3)Gal epitope. Galalpha(1,3)Gal synthesized by iGb3S, in contrast to alpha1,3GT, was resistant to down-regulation by competition with alpha1,2fucosyltransferase. Moreover, Galalpha(1,3)Gal synthesized by iGb3S was immunogenic and elicited Abs in GGTA1 (-/-) mice. Galalpha(1,3)Gal synthesized by iGb3S may affect survival of pig transplants in humans, and deletion of this gene, or modification of its product, warrants consideration.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
0022-1767
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
15
pubmed:volume
176
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
2448-54
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2006
pubmed:articleTitle
The molecular basis for galalpha(1,3)gal expression in animals with a deletion of the alpha1,3galactosyltransferase gene.
pubmed:affiliation
The Austin Research Institute, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't