Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
10:59
Glycomics-Guided Glycoproteomics Facilitates Comprehensive Profiling of the Glycoproteome in Complex Tumor Microenvironments
Published on: February 7, 2025
Cell surface-specific N-glycan profiling in breast cancer
Xia Liu1, Huan Nie, Yubao Zhang
1School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
Plos One
|September 7, 2013
Summary
Specific N-glycans change in breast cancer, with some decreasing and others increasing. These N-glycans may offer insights into tumor immune evasion and potential drug targets.
Area of Science:
- Glycobiology
- Cancer Research
- Immunology
Background:
- Aberrant glycan structures are linked to cancer progression and immune evasion.
- Understanding cell surface N-glycans is crucial for cancer research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To profile N-glycans on breast cancer cell membrane proteins.
- To identify specific N-glycans associated with breast cancer development and progression.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a modified DNA sequencer-assisted fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (DSA-FACE) for N-glycan profiling.
- Analyzed N-glycan profiles from 7 human breast cancer cell lines and 100 matched breast cancer/adjacent tissue pairs.
Main Results:
- Two biantennary N-glycans (NA2, NA2FB) were significantly decreased in breast cancer tissues compared to normal tissues.
- Triantennary glycan (NA3FB) and high-mannose glycan (M8) were significantly increased in breast cancer tissues.
- Observed alterations in these N-glycans correlate with oncogenesis and cancer progression.
Conclusions:
- Modified DSA-FACE is a high-throughput method for analyzing cell surface N-glycans.
- Specific N-glycans identified may play a role in tumor immune escape mechanisms.
- These N-glycans represent potential therapeutic targets for novel breast cancer drugs.
