Characterization of the O- and N-linked oligosaccharides in glycoproteins synthesized by Schistosoma mansoni

The structures of the O- and N-linked oligosaccharides in glycoproteins synthesized by larval and adult schistosomes of Schistosoma mansoni have been investigated. Mechanically transformed schistosomula or adult schistosomes were incubated in media containing either [3H]mannose, [3H]glucosamine or [3H]galactose for 48 and 24 hr, respectively, to radiolabel metabolically the oligosaccharide moieties of newly synthesized glycoproteins. Analyses of the radiolabeled glycoproteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS/PAGE) and fluorography demonstrated that numerous glycoproteins from 48-hr old schistosomula and adult schistosomes were labeled by both the [3H]mannose and [3H]glucosamine precursors. The [3H]galactose precursor was incorporated into numerous glycoproteins in adult schistosomes; however, few, if any, glycoproteins in schistosomula were labeled by this radioactive sugar precursor