Glycosaminoglycans sulfotransferases

Sulfation of the carbohydrate chain occurs after the monosaccharide to be sulfated has been incorporated into the growing carbohydrate j chain. The source of the sulfate is 3 -phosphoadenosyl-5 -phospho-sulfate (PAPS, a molecule of AMP with a sulfate group attached to the 5-phosphate). Sulfotransferases cause the sulfation of the carbohydrate chain at specific sites. [Note An example of the synthesis of a sulfated glycosaminoglycan, chondroitin sulfate, is shown in Figure 14.11.] PAPS is also the sulfur donor in glycosphingolipid synthesis. [Note A defect in the sulfation process results in one of several autosomal recessive disorders that affect the proper development and maintenance of the skeletal system. This illustrates Ihe importance of the sulfation step.]... 

Kusche-Gullberg M, Kjellen L. Sulfotransferases in glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2003 13 605-611. 

A. Orellana, C. B. Hirschberg, Z. Wei, S. J. Swiedler, M. Ishihara, Molecular cloning and expression of a glycosaminoglycan N-acetylglucosaminyl N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase from a heparin-producing cell line. J. Biol Chem. 1994 269, 2270-6. 

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