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The ␣ and ␤ subunits of meprins, mammalian zinc metalloendopeptidases, are extensively glycosylated; ϳ25% of the total molecular mass of the subunits is carbohydrate. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of the N-linked oligosaccharides on the secreted form of mouse meprin A. Recombinant meprin ␣ and mutants in which one of the 10 potential Asn glycosylation sites was mutated to Gln were all secreted and sorted exclusively into the apical medium of polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, indicating that no specific N-linked oligosaccharide acts as a determinant for apical targeting of meprin ␣. Several of the mutant proteins had decreased enzymatic activity using a bradykinin analog as substrate, and deglycosylation of the wildtype protein resulted in loss of 75-100% activity. Some of the mutants were also more sensitive to heat inactivation. In studies with agents that inhibit glycosylation processes in vivo, tunicamycin markedly decreased secretion of meprin, whereas castanospermine and swainsonine had little effect on secretion, sorting, or enzymatic properties of meprin. When all the potential glycosylation sites on a truncated form of meprin ␣ (␣-(1-445)) were mutated, the protein was not secreted into the medium, but was retained within the cells even after 10 h. These results indicate that there is no one specific glycosylation site or type of oligosaccharide (high mannose-or complex-type) that determines apical sorting, but that core N-linked carbohydrates are required for optimal enzymatic activity and for secretion of meprin ␣.

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