Participates in O-mannosyl glycosylation by catalyzing the addition of N-acetylglucosamine to O-linked mannose on glycoproteins (PubMed:11709191, PubMed:27493216, PubMed:28512129). Catalyzes the synthesis of the GlcNAc(beta1-2)Man(alpha1-)O-Ser/Thr moiety on alpha-dystroglycan and other O-mannosylated proteins, providing the necessary basis for the addition of further carbohydrate moieties (PubMed:11709191, PubMed:27493216). Is specific for alpha linked terminal mannose and does not have MGAT3, MGAT4, MGAT5, MGAT7 or MGAT8 activity.
