Crystal structure of a class I α1,2‐mannosidase involved in N‐glycan processing and endoplasmic reticulum quality control

Mannose trimming is not only essential for N ‐glycan maturation in mammalian cells but also triggers degradation of misfolded glycoproteins. The crystal structure of the class I α1,2‐mannosidase that trims Man 9 GlcNAc 2 to Man 8 GlcNAc 2 isomer B in the endoplasmic reticulum of Saccharomyces cerevisiae reveals a novel (αα) 7 ‐barrel in which an N ‐glycan from one molecule extends into the barrel of an adjacent molecule, interacting with the essential acidic residues and calcium ion. The observed protein–carbohydrate interactions provide the first insight into the catalytic mechanism and specificity of this eukaryotic enzyme family and may be used to design inhibitors that prevent degradation of misfolded glycoproteins in genetic diseases.