GlyConnect: a glycan-based conjugation extension of the GlycoDelete technology

Abstract

Recently, our lab developed GlycoDelete, a technology suite that allows a radical simplification of eukaryotic N-glycosylation. The technology allows to produce glycoproteins that carry single GlcNAc, LacNAc, or LacNAc-Sia type glycans on their N-linked glycosylation sequons. GlycoDelete-type N-glycans are uniquely suited for glycan-based conjugation purposes, as these provide a short, homogeneous and hydrophilic link to the protein backbone. Targeting GlycoDelete-glycans allows for highly site-specific conjugation at sites in the protein which are normally occupied by bulky glycans, thus ensuring minimal interference with protein structure and function. The current manuscript describes the evaluation and optimization of both chemical and chemo-enzymatic conjugation of molecules onto the GlycoDelete-type glycans of a limited set of benchmark proteins.