FUT9

The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the glycosyltransferase family. It is localized to the golgi, and catalyzes the last step in the biosynthesis of Lewis X (LeX) antigen, the addition of a fucose to precursor polysaccharides. This protein is one of the few fucosyltransferases that synthesizes the LeX oligosaccharide (CD15) expressed in the organ buds progressing in mesenchyma during embryogenesis. It is also responsible for the expression of CD15 in mature granulocytes. A common haplotype of this gene has also been associated with susceptibility to placental malaria infection. [provided by RefSeq, Nov 2011]

Full Name

Fucosyltransferase 9

Function

Catalyzes the transfer of L-fucose, from a guanosine diphosphate-beta-L-fucose, to the N-acetyl glucosamine (GlcNAc) of a distal lactosamine unit of a glycoprotein or a glycolipid-linked polylactosamine chains through an alpha-1,3 glycosidic linkage and participates in particular to the Lewis x (Lex)/CD15 epitope biosynthesis in neurons which allows cell differentiation, cell adhesion, and initiation of neurite outgrowth (PubMed:23263199, PubMed:23192350, PubMed:10386598, PubMed:17335083, PubMed:23000574, PubMed:11278338, PubMed:10622713, PubMed:18395013, PubMed:12107078, PubMed:16282604).

Also fucosylates di-, tri- and tetraantennary N-glycans linked to glycoproteins and the inner lactosamine unit of the alpha2,3-sialylated polylactosamine resulting in sLex (CD15s) epitope synthesis (PubMed:11278338, PubMed:12107078, PubMed:18395013).

Furthermore, it is capable of synthesizing Lewis a (Lea), although to a lesser extent than Lex and Lewis y (Ley) and to confer SELE-dependent, but not SELL- and SELP-selectin-dependent, cell rolling and adhesion by enhancing Lex and sLex synthesis (PubMed:18395013, PubMed:23192350).

Biological Process

Carbohydrate metabolic process Source: ProtInc
Cellular polysaccharide biosynthetic process Source: UniProtKB
Fucosylation Source: UniProtKB
L-fucose catabolic process Source: UniProtKB
Neuron differentiation Source: UniProtKB
Oligosaccharide biosynthetic process Source: Reactome
Positive regulation of neuron projection development Source: UniProtKB
Protein glycosylation Source: UniProtKB
Regulation of leukocyte cell-cell adhesion Source: UniProtKB
Regulation of leukocyte tethering or rolling Source: UniProtKB

Cellular Location

Trans-Golgi network membrane; Golgi apparatus membrane

Topology

Cytoplasmic: 1-11
Helical: 12-32
Lumenal: 33-359

PTM

N-glycosylated with complex-type N-glycans.