N-linked glycosylation of proline-rich membrane anchor (PRiMA) is not required for assembly and trafficking of globular tetrameric acetylcholinesterase.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is organized into globular tetramers (G(4)) by a structural protein called proline-rich membrane anchor (PRiMA), anchoring it into the cell membrane of neurons in the brain. The assembly of AChE tetramers with PRiMA requires the presence of a C-terminal "t-peptide" in the AChE catalytic subunit (AChE(T)). The glycosylation of AChE(T) is known to be required for its proper assembly and trafficking; however, the role of PRiMA glycosylation in the oligomer assembly has not been revealed. PRiMA is a glycoprotein containing two putative N-linked glycosylation sites. By using site-directed mutagenesis, the asparagine-43 was identified to be the N-linked glycosylation site of PRiMA. Abolishing glycosylation on mouse PRiMA appeared not to affect its assembly with AChE(T), the enzymatic properties of AChE, and the membrane trafficking of PRiMA-linked AChE tetramers. This result is contrary to the reports that glycosylation is essential for conformation and trafficking of membrane glycoproteins.