Figure 7.

Schematic overview of the activation of the HBP and enhanced protein O-GlcNAcylation caused by the loss of NDPK-B in the endothelium and the subsequent upregulation of Ang-2. Loss of NDPK-B increases the HBP flux via the upregulation of GFAT, leading to an increase in UDP-GlcNAc production. The concomitant reduction in OGA activity results in an accumulation of O-GlcNAcylated proteins, driving the upregulation of Ang-2 in the microvascular endothelium of the retina, thereby inducing vasoregression.