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Human sialidase as a cancer marker
Taeko Miyagi1, Tadashi Wada, Kazunori Yamaguchi
1Division of Biochemistry, Miyagi Cancer Center Research Institute, Natori, Miyagi, Japan. miyagi-ta173@pref.miyagi.jp
Proteomics
|July 25, 2008
Summary
Altered sialylation, driven by human sialidases, impacts cancer malignancy. Sialidase expression levels can distinguish cancerous from non-cancerous tissues, offering potential as cancer markers for diagnosis and therapy.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Altered sialylation of cell surface molecules is linked to cancer's malignant phenotype, including metastasis and invasiveness.
- Cancer-related antigens often feature terminal sialic acids, highlighting the role of sialic acid metabolism in cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of human sialidases in carcinogenesis and their potential as cancer biomarkers.
- To elucidate the distinct behaviors of different sialidase types during cancer development.
Main Methods:
- Real-time PCR to estimate sialidase mRNA levels for tissue discrimination.
- Immunohistochemistry using antibodies against plasma membrane sialidase for clinical diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Lysosomal sialidase downregulation promotes anchorage-independent growth and metastasis.
- Plasma membrane sialidase upregulation suppresses apoptosis.
- Sialidase mRNA levels effectively differentiate cancerous from non-cancerous tissues and aid in pathological staging.
Conclusions:
- Human sialidases are significantly altered in cancer and correlate with malignancy.
- Sialidase expression patterns offer potential as diagnostic and therapeutic targets for cancer.
