UDP-GlcNAc:betaGal beta-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 7 (B3GNT7)

UDP-GlcNAc:betaGal beta-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 7 (B3GNT7) is a type II transmembrane glycosyltransferase enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) in a beta-1,3 linkage from UDP-GlcNAc to galactose within the growing chain of keratan sulfate proteoglycans[1][5][7]. The enzyme plays a central role in the biosynthesis of keratan sulfate, especially in the cornea and brain[1][2][4][6]. B3GNT7 acts in concert with other glycosyltransferases and sulfotransferases to construct and elongate the sulfated disaccharide units of keratan sulfate[1][5]. In the adult brain, B3GNT7 is the primary β1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase for synthesizing keratan sulfate in neuropils and perineuronal nets, particularly in oligodendrocyte lineage cells[2][4]. Disease associations include macular and corneal dystrophies, with loss-of-function models demonstrating critical roles in tissue transparency and neural ECM structure[1][4][6]. No direct drug interactions or therapeutics are currently known for B3GNT7.

Other names

Beta-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 7Beta3Gn-T7BGnT-7Beta3GnT7beta3GnT7BETA3GNT7UDP-GlcNAc:betaGal beta-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 7N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-7beta-1,3-Gn-T7