Alpha-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (A4GNT)

Alpha-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (A4GNT) is an enzyme in the glycosyltransferase 32 family that catalyzes the transfer of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) to core 2 branched O-glycans, forming terminal α1,4-linked GlcNAc residues on mucins, especially MUC6[3]. This enzyme is specifically expressed in the mucous cells of the gastric glands and Brunner’s glands of the duodenum and is essential for synthesizing a unique glycan structure in gastric gland mucin that offers protection against inflammation and tumorigenesis in the stomach[2][3]. Loss of A4GNT activity results in the absence of αGlcNAc in gland mucin, leading to increased gastric inflammation, angiogenesis, and a heightened risk of gastric adenocarcinoma[2]. In addition, A4GNT has been implicated in several disease pathways, including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (musculocontractural type 1) and pancreatic cancer[3]. A4GNT is localized to the membrane of the Golgi apparatus[3]. No current drugs are established to target A4GNT directly, and no mechanism of action or therapeutic agents are documented for direct modulation of this enzyme.

Other names

Alpha-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferaseA4GNTAlpha4GnTalpha4GnTA4GCT