Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Preparation of CD4+ T Cells for Analysis of GD3 and GD2 Ganglioside Membrane Expression by Microscopy
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Preparation of CD4+ T Cells for Analysis of GD3 and GD2 Ganglioside Membrane Expression by Microscopy

Published on: November 8, 2016

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GD2 and GD3 synthase: novel drug targets for cancer therapy

Nathalie Sphyris1, Tapasree Roy Sarkar1, Venkata L Battula2

  • 1Department of Translational Molecular Pathology; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center ; Houston, TX USA.

Molecular & Cellular Oncology
|June 17, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Targeting GD3 synthase (ST8SIA1) inhibits metastasis and reduces cancer stem cells in breast cancer. This enzyme is key for the GD2 marker, offering a new therapeutic approach for metastatic disease.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Breast cancer metastasis remains a significant challenge.
  • Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are implicated in tumor recurrence and metastasis.
  • GD2 is a marker associated with breast cancer stem cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of GD3 synthase (ST8SIA1) in breast cancer.
  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting GD3 synthase (ST8SIA1) in metastatic breast cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Enzyme activity assays.
  • In vivo metastasis models.
  • Analysis of cancer stem cell populations.

Main Results:

  • GD3 synthase (ST8SIA1) is the rate-limiting enzyme for GD2 biosynthesis.
  • Targeting GD3 synthase (ST8SIA1) abrogated metastasis in preclinical models.
  • Inhibition of GD3 synthase (ST8SIA1) depleted cancer stem cell populations.

Conclusions:

  • GD3 synthase (ST8SIA1) is a viable therapeutic target for metastatic breast cancer.
  • Inhibiting GD3 synthase (ST8SIA1) offers a strategy to combat breast cancer metastasis and CSCs.
Keywords:
EMTGD2GD3Scancer stem cellsmetastasis

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