Background
The protective/inhibitory B subunits of coagulation factor XIII (FXIII‐B) is a ~80 kDa glycoprotein containing two N‐glycosylation sites. Neither the structure nor the functional role of the glycans on FXIII‐B has been explored.
Objective
To reveal the glycan structures linked to FXIII‐B, to design a method for deglycosylating the native protein, to find out if deglycosylation influences the dimeric structure of FXIII‐B and its clearance from the circulation.
Methods
Asparagine‐linked carbohydrates were released from human FXIIII‐B by PNGase F digestion. The released N‐linked oligosaccharides were fluorophore labeled and analyzed by capillary electrophoresis. Structural identification utilized glycan database search and exoglycosidase digestion based sequencing. The structure of deglycosylated FXIII‐B was investigated by gel filtration. The clearance of deglycosylated and native FXIII‐B from plasma was compared in FXIII‐B knock out mice.
Results
PNGase F completely removed N‐glycans from the denatured protein. Deglycosylation of the native protein was achieved by repeated digestion at elevated PNGase F concentration. The total N‐glycan profile of FXIII‐B featured nine individual structures; three were fucosylated and each structure contained at least one sialic acid. Deglycosylation did not change the native dimeric structure of FXIII‐B, but accelerated its clearance from the circulation of FXIII‐B knock out mice.
Conclusion
Characterization of the glycan moieties attached to FXIII‐B is reported for the first time. Complete deglycosylation of the native protein was achieved by a deglycosylation workflow. The associated glycan structure is not required for FXIII‐B dimer formation, but it very likely prolongs the half‐life of FXIII‐B in the plasma.