What Is the CGE?

CGE is a powerful tool for the synthesis of complex glycans that utilize enzymes, particularly glycosyltransferases (GTs), to catalyze the transfer of sugar residues from their activated sugar nucleotide donors to various receptor molecules. CGE is applied to cell biology, and its implementation will help discover the structure and function of glycobiology. CGE is applied to modify surface cell glycans in cells with a high degree of specificity and controls the linking process of acceptors, donor sugars, and sugar moieties. The GCE method is shown in the figure below. In cells, in the presence of GTs and their respective activated sugar analogs (ASA), the azide group with a low background is click-coupled with different compounds to generate conjugates that modify cell surface glycans.

Fig.1 Schematic diagram of the CGE process. (Almaraz & Li, 2017)

Cell Surface CGE Services at CD BioGlyco

CD BioGlyco provides a wide range of specialized cell surface CGE services.

• Sialyltransferases (SATs)-based Cell Surface CGE Service

CD BioGlyco provides efficient SAT-based cell surface CGE services. PmST1_M144D is a highly specific α-2-3-sialyltransferase from Pasteurella multocida that efficiently incorporates Neu5Ac analogs onto surface glycoconjugates carrying LacNAc terminal substrates in living cells, and the incorporation of azido-modified sialic acid allows microscopic analysis after modification, achieving efficient glycosylation on the cell surface.

• Glycosyltransferases (GTs)-based Cell Surface CGE Service

CD BioGlyco provides high-quality GT-based cell surface CGE services. NmLgtB is a β-1-4-galactosyltransferase from Neisseria meningitidis, which incorporates 3N₈Gal onto Lec6 cell surface glycans via click chemistry coupling of biotin-alkynes in the presence of UDP-6N₃Gal.

• N-acetyl-glucosaminyl Transferase-based Cell Surface CGE Service

CD BioGlyco provides mature N-acetyl-glucosaminyl transferase-based cell surface CGE services. NmLgtA is a β-1-3-N-acetyl-glucosaminyl-transferase from Neisseria meningitidis. It catalyzes the introduction of GlcNAc from UDP-GlcNAc to the receptor molecule forming a β-1-3-bond. NmLgtA converts azide-modified GlcNAc sugars are incorporated into cell surface glycans.

• Fucosyltransferases (FUTs)-based Cell Surface CGE Service

CD BioGlyco provides professional FUT-based cell surface CGE services. By introducing appropriate fucosyltransferases, specific fucose groups are transferred to the cell surface, thereby changing its biological properties, interaction capabilities, or recognition.

In addition, CD BioGlyco provides glycosyl structure analysis services, we use mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and other technologies to analyze and identify the modified cell surface glycosyl structure to determine the introduced glycosyl structure and modification effect. CD BioGlyco also provides customized CGE services based on client needs, introducing selected glycosyl structures to the cell surface to meet the requirements of different research projects.

Fig.2 Cell surface CGE services. (CD BioGlyco)

Applications

• Glycoprotein modification: CGE technology introduces specific glycosyl modifications on the cell surface, such as fucose, N-acetylglucosamine, etc., thereby changing the biological function and interaction ability of glycoproteins. This is of great significance for studying the structure and function relationship of glycoproteins, disease mechanisms, and drug development.
• Cell recognition and signaling: CGE regulates cell surface glycosyl modifications and changes the glycosyl composition of cell membranes, thereby affecting cell recognition and interaction capabilities.
• Vaccine development: CGE technology displays specific sugar structures on the cell surface, simulates the sugar antigens on the surface of pathogens, and stimulates specific immune responses, which helps in vaccine development and improves the immune system's ability to recognize and attack specific pathogens.

Highlights

• CD BioGlyco has a professional technical team in the field of CGE, which customizes the design of the required glycosyl structure, precisely regulates the glycosyl modification on the cell surface, and introduces it to specific cell surfaces.
• CD BioGlyco applies CGE technology to different types of cells and substrates, providing diversity and flexibility in CGE services.
• CD BioGlyco provides custom CGE solutions based on client needs and research goals, including personalized design and optimization for different cell types, substrates, and glycosyl structures.

CD BioGlyco has an advanced Cell Surface Glycoengineering platform to provide effective and high-quality CGE services to meet clients' needs for cell surface glycosyl modification. Please feel free to contact us in time if you are interested in our CGE service offerings.