Genetic glycoengineering in mammalian cells

Yoshiki Narimatsu*, Christian Büll, Yen Hsi Chen, Hans H. Wandall, Zhang Yang, Henrik Clausen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReviewResearchpeer-review

64 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Advances in nuclease-based gene-editing technologies have enabled precise, stable, and systematic genetic engineering of glycosylation capacities in mammalian cells, opening up a plethora of opportunities for studying the glycome and exploiting glycans in biomedicine. Glycoengineering using chemical, enzymatic, and genetic approaches has a long history, and precise gene editing provides a nearly unlimited playground for stable engineering of glycosylation in mammalian cells to explore and dissect the glycome and its many biological functions. Genetic engineering of glycosylation in cells also brings studies of the glycome to the single cell level and opens up wider use and integration of data in traditional omics workflows in cell biology. The last few years have seen new applications of glycoengineering in mammalian cells with perspectives for wider use in basic and applied glycosciences, and these have already led to discoveries of functions of glycans and improved designs of glycoprotein therapeutics. Here, we review the current state of the art of genetic glycoengineering in mammalian cells and highlight emerging opportunities.

Original languageEnglish
Article number100448
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume296
Number of pages25
ISSN0021-9258
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

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