SUMMARY Adipose tissue (AT) has previously been identified as an extra-medullary reservoir for normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and may promote tumor development. Here, we show a subpopulation of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) can utilize gonadal adipose tissue (GAT) as a niche to support their metabolism and evade chemotherapy. In a mouse model of blast crisis CML, adipose-resident LSCs exhibit a pro-inflammatory phenotype and induce lipolysis in GAT. GAT lipolysis fuels fatty acid oxidation in LSCs, especially within a subpopulation expressing the fatty acid transporter CD36. CD36+ LSCs have unique metabolic properties, are strikingly enriched in AT, and are protected from chemotherapy by the GAT microenvironment. CD36 also marks a fraction of human blast crisis CML and AML cells with similar biological properties. These findings suggest striking interplay between leukemic cells and adipose tissue to create a unique microenvironment that supports the metabolic demands and survival of a distinct LSC subpopulation.

Background: Eradication of primary human leukemia cells represents a major challenge. Therapies have not substantially changed in over 30 years. Results: Using normal versus leukemia specimens enriched for primitive cells, we document aberrant regulation of glutathione metabolism. Conclusion: Aberrant glutathione metabolism is an intrinsic property of human leukemia cells. Significance: Interventions based on modulation of glutathione metabolism represent a powerful means to improve therapy.

The cDNA for a fourth member of the mammalian UDP-GalNAc:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase family, termed ppGaNTase-T4, has been cloned from a murine spleen cDNA library and expressed transiently in COS7 cells as a secreted functional enzyme. Degenerate primers, based upon regions that are conserved among the known mammalian members of the enzyme family (ppGaNTase-T1, -T2, and -T3) and three Caenorhabditis elegans homologues (ppGaNTase-TA, -TB, and -TC), were used in polymerase chain reactions to identify and clone this new isoform. Substrate preferences for recombinant murine ppGaNTase-T1 and ppGaNTase-T4 isozymes were readily distinguished. ppGaNTase-T1 glycosylated a broader range of synthetic peptide substrates; in contrast, the ppGaNTase-T4 preferentially glycosylated a single substrate among the panel of 11 peptides tested. Using Northern blot analysis, a ppGaNTase-T4 message of 5.5 kilobases was detectable in murine embryonic tissues, as well as the adult sublingual gland, stomach, colon, small intestine, lung, cervix, and uterus with lower levels detected in kidney, liver, heart, brain, spleen, and ovary. Thus, the pattern of expression for ppGaNTase-T4 is more restricted than for the three previously reported isoforms of the enzyme. The variation in expression patterns and substrate specificities of the ppGaNTase enzyme family suggests that differential expression of these isoenzymes may be responsible for the cell-specific repertoire of mucin-type oligosaccharides on cell-surface and secreted O-linked glycoproteins.

We report the cloning and expression of the fifth member of the mammalian UDP-GalNAc:polypeptide Nacetylgalactosaminyltransferase (ppGaNTase) family. Degenerate polymerase chain reaction amplification and hybridization screening of a rat sublingual gland (RSLG) cDNA library were used to identify a novel isoform termed ppGaNTase-T5. Conceptual translation of the cDNA reveals a uniquely long stem region not observed for other members of this enzyme family. Recombinant proteins expressed transiently in COS7 cells displayed transferase activity in vitro. Relative activity and substrate preferences of ppGaNTase-T5 were compared with previously identified isoforms (ppGaNTase-T1, -T3, and -T4); ppGaNTase-T5 and -T4 glycosylated a restricted subset of peptides whereas ppGaNTase-T1 and -T3 glycosylated a broader range of substrates. Northern blot analysis revealed that ppGaNTase-T5 is expressed in a highly tissue-specific manner; abundant expression was seen in the RSLG, with lesser amounts of message in the stomach, small intestine, and colon. Therefore, the pattern of expression of ppGaNTase-T5 is the most restricted of all isoforms examined thus far. The identification of this novel isoform underscores the diversity and complexity of the family of genes controlling O-linked glycosylation.

We report the cloning, expression, and characterization of a novel member of the mammalian UDP-GalNAc: polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (ppGaNTase) family that transfers GalNAc to a GalNAc-containing glycopeptide. Northern blot analysis revealed that the gene encoding this enzyme, termed ppGaNTase-T6, is expressed in a highly tissue-specific manner. Significant levels of transcript were found in rat and mouse sublingual gland, stomach, small intestine, and colon; trace amounts were seen in the ovary, cervix, and uterus. Recombinant constructs were expressed transiently in COS7 cells but demonstrated no transferase activity in vitro against a panel of unmodified peptides, including GTTPSPVPTTSTTSAP (MUC5AC). However, when incubated with the total glycosylated products obtained by action of ppGaNTase-T1 on MUC5AC (mainly GTT(GalNAc)PSPVPTTSTT(GalNAc)SAP), additional incorporation of GalNAc was achieved, resulting in new hydroxyamino acids being modified. The MUC5AC glycopeptide failed to serve as a substrate for ppGaNTase-T6 after modification of the GalNAc residues by periodate oxidation and sodium borohydride reduction, indicating a requirement for the presence of intact GalNAc. This suggests that O-glycosylation of multisite substrates may proceed in a specific hierarchical manner and underscores the potential complexity of the processes that regulate O-glycosylation.O-Linked glycans are involved in a number of biological functions including leukocyte trafficking (1) and sperm-egg adhesion (2). In addition, clusters of O-linked oligosaccharides impart a "stalk-like" conformation that is common among several membrane receptors (3). In contrast to N-linked glycosylation, O-linked glycans are synthesized stepwise. Thus, the acquisition of GalNAc represents the first step in mammalian (mucin-type) O-glycosylation. A family of UDP-GalNAc:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase enzymes (ppGaNTase, 1 EC 2.4.1.41) is responsible for this initial enzymatic step. Five family members (ppGaNTase-T1 (4, 5), -T2 (6), -T3 (7, 8), -T4 (9), and -T5 (10)) have been identified in mammals thus far and have been shown to have unique expression patterns as well as substrate specificities. However, little is known regarding their respective activities on native substrates as well as potential inter-relationships with one another.In the present study, we have cloned a novel member of this enzyme family termed ppGaNTase-T6. When recombinant enzyme was expressed as a secreted product from COS7 cells, no ppGaNTase activity was detected in vitro against a panel of unmodified peptides, including the peptide GTTPSPVPTTSTT-SAP, which is derived from the human MUC5AC gene sequence (11). However, when this MUC5AC peptide was first glycosylated with ppGaNTase-T1 to yield mainly GTT(GalNAc)PSPVPTTSTT(GalNAc)SAP (but also mono-and tri-substituted species), the ppGaNTase-T6 isoform was active toward the glycopeptidic preparation. This suggests that the addition of the initial O-linked sugar may occur in a hierarchical manner wit...