Tyrosinase is a
copper-containing
enzyme that regulates
melanin biosynthesis in mammals. Mutations at a single N-glycosylation sequon of
tyrosinase have been reported to be responsible for
oculocutaneous albinism type IA in humans, characterized by inactive
tyrosinase and the total absence of pigmentation. To probe the role that each N-glycosylation site plays in the synthesis of biologically active
tyrosinase, we analyzed the
calnexin mediated folding of
tyrosinase N-glycosylation mutants. We have determined that four of the six potential N-glycosylation sites, including that associated with
albinism, are occupied. Analysis of the folding pathway and activity of 15
tyrosinase mutants lacking one or more of the occupied N-glycosylation sites shows that
glycans at any two N-glycosylation sites are sufficient to interact with
calnexin and give partial activity, but a specific pair of sites (Asn(86) and Asn(371)) is required for full activity. The mutants with less than two N-glycosylation sites do not interact with
calnexin and show a complete absence of
enzyme activity.
Copper analysis of selected mutants suggests that the observed partial activity is due to two populations with differential
copper content. By correlating the degree of folding with the activity of
tyrosinase, we propose a local folding mechanism for
tyrosinase that can explain the mechanism of inactivation of
tyrosinase N-glycosylation mutants found in certain
pigmentation disorders.