Fut4

Function

Catalyzes alpha(1->3) linkage of fucosyl moiety transferred from GDP-beta-L-fucose to N-acetyl glucosamine (GlcNAc) within type 2 lactosamine (LacNAc, Gal-beta(1->4)GlcNAc) glycan attached to N- or O-linked glycoproteins (PubMed:11485743). Robustly fucosylates nonsialylated distal LacNAc unit of the polylactosamine chain to form Lewis X antigen (CD15), a glycan determinant known to mediate important cellular functions in development and immunity. Fucosylates with lower efficiency sialylated LacNAc acceptors to form sialyl Lewis X and 6-sulfo sialyl Lewis X determinants that serve as recognition epitopes for C-type lectins (PubMed:11485743). Together with FUT7 contributes to SELE, SELL and SELP selectin ligand biosynthesis and selectin-dependent lymphocyte homing, leukocyte migration and blood leukocyte homeostasis (PubMed:11485743). In a cell type specific manner, may also fucosylate the internal LacNAc unit of the polylactosamine chain to form VIM-2 antigen that serves as recognition epitope for SELE (By similarity).

Pathway

Protein modification; protein glycosylation.

Sequence Similarities

Belongs to the glycosyltransferase 10 family.

Tissue Specificity

Highest expression in stomach and colon. It is also expressed in the lung, testis, uterus, small intestine and to a lesser extent in spleen, and ovary. Present in trace amounts in brain, thymus, heart, smooth muscle, kidney and bone marrow. Not found in liver, salivary gland and pancreas.

Cellular localization

• Golgi apparatus
• Golgi stack membrane
• Single-pass type II membrane protein
• Membrane-bound form in trans cisternae of Golgi.

Alternative names

Elft, Fut4, 4-galactosyl-N-acetylglucosaminide 3-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase, Fucosyltransferase 4, Fucosyltransferase IV, Galactoside 3-L-fucosyltransferase, Fuc-TIV, FucT-IV

Database links

swissprot:Q11127 entrezGene:14347 swissprot:O88819 swissprot:Q11131 entrezGene:14345 entrezGene:14348