Identification of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine modification of ankyrin(G) isoforms targeted to nodes of Ranvier

Ankyrin(G)s of 270 and 480 kDa are localized at nodes of Ranvier and are candidates to couple the voltage-dependent sodium channel and neurofascin to the spectrin/actin network. This study presents evidence that these ankyrins contain O-linked GlcNAc residues and identifies as the site of glycosylation a serine-rich domain that distinguishes them from other ankyrin isoforms. The 480-kDa ankyrin(G), extracted from brain membranes associated with wheat germ agglutinin-affinity columns, was [H-3]galactose-labeled with UDP-[H-3] galactose and galactosyltransferase, and cross-reacted with an antibody against O-GlcNAc monosaccharides. Ankyrin(G)-associated sugars are O-linked monosaccharides based on resistance to peptide-N-glycosidase F and analysis of saccharides released by beta-elimination. The serine-rich domain is the site of glycosylation based on wheat germ agglutinin binding activity of polypeptides produced by in vitro translation in reticulocyte lysates. Immunofluorescence revealed co-localization of ankyrin, and O-GlcNAc immunoreactivity at nodes of Ranvier. These observations suggest that ankyrin at the node of Ranvier is O-GlcNAc glycosylated and are the first demonstration of a post translational modification that is concentrated at the node of Ranvier and not in adjacent areas of myelinated axons.