A novel second isoenzyme of the human UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:α1,3-D-mannoside β1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase family: cDNA cloning, expression, and chromosomal assignmen

We isolated a novel cDNA encoding a second isoenzyme of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:α1,3-D-mannoside β1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (GnT-IV; EC 2.4.1.145). The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the cDNA were homologous to those of the previously cloned human GnT-IV cDNA (63% and 62% identity, respectively). The new cDNA is also confirmed to express GnT-IV activity, suggesting that two isoenzymes of human GnT-IV exist. Although genomic Southern analysis suggested that both genes exist in many mammalian species and the chicken, northern analysis revealed that both genes are expressed in different ways in human tissues. This is the first report concerning the gene family of an N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase in mammals.