ENGase Activators

Endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (ENGase) is an enzyme that plays a significant role in the processing of N-linked glycoproteins, which are proteins modified by the attachment of a carbohydrate molecule. This post-translational modification is critical for protein folding, stability, and function.ENGase specifically cleaves between two GlcNAc residues in the chitobiose core of the N-glycan, releasing an intact glycan and a protein with a single GlcNAc residue remaining. This unique cleavage activity distinguishes ENGase from other glycosidases.

In humans, there are two types of ENGase: cytosolic ENGase and glycoside hydrolase family 18 ENGase. The former is involved in the degradation of misfolded glycoproteins through a process called ER-associated degradation (ERAD). The latter is known to act more broadly in the hydrolysis of N-linked glycansMutations in the genes encoding ENGase have been linked to various diseases. For instance, a mutation in the gene encoding cytosolic ENGase has been associated with a form of hereditary inclusion body myopathy, an autosomal recessive muscle disorder characterized by muscle weakness and wasting.Their ability to cleave N-linked glycans is utilized in the production of glycoprotein drugs and the investigation of N-glycan structures.