Protein-carbohydrate complex reveals circulating metastatic cells in a microfluidic assay

Area of Science:

• Glycomics and glycobiology
• Molecular interactions
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Carbohydrate sequencing reveals glycome complexity and biological functions.
• Carbohydrate-protein interactions are vital in mammalian physiology, including cell adhesion, metastasis, and signaling.
• Galectin-3, a protein linked to tumor progression and metastasis, is a key target in cancer research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel assay for sensitive and selective detection of carbohydrate-protein interactions.
• To mimic the multivalency of biological complexes for accurate binding analysis.
• To investigate the binding of beta-galactosides with galectin-3.

Main Methods:

• Development of a new assay to detect carbohydrate-protein interactions.
• Examination of beta-galactoside and galectin-3 binding.
• Comparative binding experiments to determine molecular preferences.
• Assessment of assay efficiency based on receptor expression and interaction strength.

Main Results:

• The assay effectively detects and quantifies carbohydrate-protein interactions.
• Molecular binding preferences between beta-galactosides and galectin-3 were identified.
• Assay efficiency correlates with receptor expression and binding affinity.
• The assay demonstrated robustness in isolating metastatic cells from colon cancer patients.

Conclusions:

• The developed assay is a robust tool for studying carbohydrate-protein interactions.
• The assay can successfully isolate metastatic cells from colon cancer patients.
• This work paves the way for advancements in personalized medicine for cancer treatment.