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Patient Derived Cell Culture and Isolation of CD133+ Putative Cancer Stem Cells from Melanoma
Published on: March 13, 2013
Comparison of the lectin-binding pattern in different human melanoma cell lines
A Lityńska1, M Przybyło, E Pocheć
1Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Ingardena 6, 30-060 Kraków, Poland. Lita@zuk.iz.uj.edu.pl
Melanoma Research
|July 27, 2001
Summary
Glycosylation changes in human melanoma cells, particularly increased branched and sialylated N-oligosaccharides in metastatic sites, are linked to cancer cell behavior and metastasis. These findings highlight the role of altered glycoproteins in tumor progression.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Glycosylation patterns are altered in tumor cells compared to normal cells.
- These alterations are believed to contribute to the abnormal behavior and metastatic potential of cancer cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comparatively analyze glycoproteins in human melanoma cell lines from primary and metastatic sites.
- To identify specific changes in glycosylation associated with melanoma metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and lectin staining.
- Analyzed glycoproteins from human melanoma cell lines (WM35, WM239, WM9, A375).
- Employed lectins specific for different carbohydrate structures (e.g., Sambucus nigra, Maackia amurensis, Phaseolus vulgaris, Galanthus nivalis).
Main Results:
- Metastatic melanoma cell lines showed increased reactivity with Sambucus nigra and Phaseolus vulgaris agglutinins, indicating more branched and sialylated N-oligosaccharides.
- A 70 kDa glycoprotein exhibited increased Sambucus nigra agglutinin reaction in metastatic cells.
- Additional bands (160-100 kDa) stained with Phaseolus vulgaris agglutinin in metastatic cells suggest increased beta1-6 branching.
- N-cadherin was identified as one of the differentially glycosylated proteins.
Conclusions:
- Expression of branched and sialylated complex type N-oligosaccharides consistently increases in human melanoma cells from metastatic sites.
- These carbohydrate alterations are associated with the acquisition of metastatic potential in tumor cells.
- Findings support the role of altered glycosylation in melanoma progression and metastasis.

