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Updated: Feb 4, 2026
Targeting Cysteine Thiols for in Vitro Site-specific Glycosylation of Recombinant Proteins
Published on: October 4, 2017
Glycosylation and metastases
Djuro Josic1,2,3, Tamara Martinovic2, Kresimir Pavelic2,3
1Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
Abstract:
The change of cellular glycosylation is one of the key events in malignant transformation and neoplastic progression, and tumor-related glycosylation alterations are promising targets in both tumor diagnosis and therapy. Both malignant transformation and neoplastic progression are the consequence of gene expression alterations and alterations in protein expression. Micro environmental factors such as extracellular matrix (ECM) also play an important role in their growth and metastasis. Tumor-associated glycans are important biomarker candidates for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, and analytical methods for their detection were developed recently. Glycoproteomics that use mass spectrometry for identification of cancer antigens and structural analysis of glycans play a key role in the investigation of changes of glycosylation during malignant transformation and tumor development and metastasis. Deep understanding of glycan remodeling in cancer and the role of glycosyltransferases that are involved in this process will require a detailed profiling of glycosylation patterns of tumor cells, and corresponding analytical methods for their detection were developed.
Insights
Changes in cellular glycosylation are key events in cancer progression, offering targets for diagnosis and therapy. Advanced glycoproteomics and analytical methods are crucial for understanding these tumor-associated glycan alterations.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Glycobiology
Background:
- Cellular glycosylation changes are critical during malignant transformation and tumor progression.
- Altered protein and gene expression, along with microenvironmental factors like the extracellular matrix (ECM), drive tumor growth and metastasis.
- Tumor-associated glycans are emerging as vital biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of altered glycosylation in cancer development and metastasis.
- To highlight the importance of glycan remodeling in cancer.
- To emphasize the need for detailed profiling of tumor cell glycosylation patterns.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing glycoproteomics with mass spectrometry for cancer antigen identification.
- Employing mass spectrometry for structural analysis of glycans.
- Developing and applying analytical methods for detecting tumor-associated glycans.
Main Results:
- Glycoproteomics enables the identification of cancer antigens and structural analysis of glycans.
- Recent development of analytical methods facilitates the detection of tumor-associated glycans.
- Understanding glycan remodeling requires detailed profiling of tumor cell glycosylation.
Conclusions:
- Altered glycosylation is a hallmark of cancer, presenting therapeutic and diagnostic opportunities.
- Glycoproteomics and advanced analytical techniques are essential for studying cancer-related glycosylation.
- Further research into glycan remodeling and glycosyltransferases is needed for comprehensive cancer understanding.
