Induction of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V by elevated expression of activated or proto- Ha-ras oncogenes

Viral infection of cultured cells with transforming viruses causes an increase in cell-surface N-linked β1-6 (GlcNAcβ1-6Man) branching of complex-type oligosaccharides. Similar observations have been made after transfection of cells with activated oncogenes, which is associated with an induction of tumorigenic and metastatic properties. In this study, the effects of transfection of both activated and proto-Ha-ras oncogenes into NIH3T3 cells were analyzed. The results showed that, in comparison with NIH3T3 cells, both ras transfectants have increased sensitivity to the cytotoxic action of L-PHA. An increase in β1-6 branching and an increased level of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GlcNAc-T V), the enzyme which initiates the β1-6 branching were also observed. The levels of GlcNAc-T I and β1-4 Gal-T remained unchanged in activated Ha-ras transfected NIH3T3 cells. These data suggest that a specific induction of GlcNAc-T V occurs after transfection with either the proto- or activated Ha-ras oncogenes, which is responsible for the increased β1-6 branching previously observed. (Mol Cell Biochem 122: 85-92, 1993)