Enhanced epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like phenotype in N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V transgenic mouse skin promotes wound healing

J Biol Chem. 2011 Aug 12;286(32):28303-11. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.220376. Epub 2011 Jun 22.

Abstract

N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT-V) catalyzes the β1,6 branching of N-acetylglucosamine on N-glycans. GnT-V expression is elevated during malignant transformation in various types of cancer. However, the mechanism by which GnT-V promotes cancer progression is unclear. To characterize the biological significance of GnT-V, we established GnT-V transgenic (Tg) mice, in which GnT-V is regulated by a β-actin promoter. No spontaneous cancer was detected in any organs of the GnT-V Tg mice. However, GnT-V expression was up-regulated in GnT-V Tg mouse skin, and cultured keratinocytes derived from these mice showed enhanced migration, which was associated with changes in E-cadherin localization and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Further, EMT-associated factors snail, twist, and N-cadherin were up-regulated, and cutaneous wound healing was accelerated in vivo. We further investigated the detailed mechanisms of EMT by assessing EGF signaling and found up-regulated EGF receptor signaling in GnT-V Tg mouse keratinocytes. These findings indicate that GnT-V overexpression promotes EMT and keratinocyte migration in part through enhanced EGF receptor signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylglucosamine / genetics
  • Acetylglucosamine / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition*
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic*
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / enzymology
  • Keratinocytes / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / biosynthesis*
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / genetics
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Skin / enzymology
  • Skin / injuries
  • Skin / pathology
  • Wound Healing*

Substances

  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases
  • alpha-1,6-mannosylglycoprotein beta 1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Acetylglucosamine