Human bi-bi-antennary transferrin (Tf) was partially deglycosylated by
subsequently incubating with one or more of the following exoglycosid
ases: neuraminidase, beta-galactosidase or N-Acetyl-beta-D-glucosamini
dase. Aglyco-Tf obtained from serum of a patient suffering from the Ca
rbohydrate Deficient Glycoprotein syndrome was isolated. Receptor bind
ing and the Tf and iron uptake capacities of the fully glycosylated-,
partially deglycosylated- and aglyco-Tf were compared using the human
hepatoma cell line PLC/PRF/5. No difference in binding capacity betwee
n the iso-Tf fractions could be demonstrated, however, the Tf and iron
uptake capacity of aglyco-Tf was clearly reduced compared with the ot
her 71 fractions.