Fucosyltransferase

Classification

Glycosyltransferase family 10 https://www.cazy.org/GT10.html comprises enzymes with five known activities; galactoside 3(4)-L-fucosyltransferase (), galactoside 3-fucosyltransferase (), peptide O-fucosyltransferase (), glycoprotein 3-α-L-fucosyltransferase () and the recently defined EMI-domain-modifying peptide O-fucosyltransferases (mammalian FUT10 and FUT11, renamed POFUT3 and POFUT4). The galactoside 3-fucosyltransferases display similarities with the alpha-2 and alpha-6-fucosyltranferases. The biosynthesis of the carbohydrate antigen sialyl-Lewis X (sLe(x)) is dependent on the activity of an galactoside 3-fucosyltransferase. This enzyme catalyses the transfer of fucose from GDP-beta-fucose to the 3-OH of N-acetylglucosamine present in lactosamine acceptors.

While the aforementioned POFUT3 and POFUT4 enzymes are included in glycosyltransferase family 10, POFUT1 is the sole member of family 65 https://www.cazy.org/GT65.html while POFUT2 is the sole member of family 68 https://www.cazy.org/GT68.html.

FUT8 is the sole enzyme in mammals adding core α1,6-fucose to N-linked glycans (). It is classified as a glycosyltransferase family 23 member https://www.cazy.org/GT23.html.

Fucosyltransferases in non-mammals, e.g., plants and nematodes follow a different numbering scheme.

Role in preventing UTIs

Robust fucosyltransferase activity discourages bacterial adherence in the urethra of women. This is also mediated by the presence of few bacterial adhesion sites in the bladder and urethra. Women with these receptors who do not have mucosal secretion of the fucosyltransferase enzyme to help block bacterial adherence are more likely to have colonization of E. coli and other coliforms from the rectum and less likely to have lactobacilli in the periurethral area, resulting in frequent episodes of cystitis.

Human proteins containing this domain

FUT1; FUT2; FUT3; FUT4; FUT5; FUT6; FUT7; FUT8; FUT9; FUT10; FUT11;

References

References

1. Reid M.E., Lomas-Francis C. The Blood Group Antigen FactsBook Academic Press, London / San Diego, (1997)
2. (1998). "Conserved structural features in eukaryotic and prokaryotic fucosyltransferases". Glycobiology.
3. (1997). "Chemical modification of an alpha 3-fucosyltransferase; definition of amino acid residues essential for enzyme activity". Biochim. Biophys. Acta.
4. (7 January 2025). "FUT10 and FUT11 are protein O-fucosyltransferases that modify protein EMI domains". Nature Chemical Biology.
5. FAQs.org. "Urinary Tract Infections".
6. Medscape.org. "Urinary Tract Infections What Factors Determine the Risk of UTI".