Glycosyltransferase Like Protein 1B (GYLTL1B)

LARGE2 encodes a deduced 721-amino acid protein with a topology typical of a type II membrane protein, and a DXD motif that is present in many glycosyltransferases. The LARGE2 and LARGE proteins share 64.2% sequence identity. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that LARGE2 and LARGE are expressed almost ubiquitously. LARGE2 exhibits highest expression in placenta, followed by pancreas, mammary gland, and kidney. GYLTL1B and LARGE localized to the Golgi apparatus and both stimulated alpha-dystroglycan hyperglycosylation and increased its affinity for laminin binding. The authors suggested that GYLTL1B may be a candidate gene for muscular dystrophy, and that its overexpression could compensate for the deficiency of both LARGE and other glycosyltransferases.