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The role of GCNT1 mediated O-glycosylation in aggressive prostate cancer

Kirsty Hodgson1, Margarita Orozco-Moreno1, Emma Scott1

  • 1Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Institute of Biosciences, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK.

Scientific Reports
|October 9, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Aggressive prostate cancer shows increased levels of the GCNT1 enzyme, which drives tumor growth and metastasis. Targeting GCNT1 may offer new therapeutic strategies for advanced prostate cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Glycobiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death globally, with limited treatment options for advanced stages.
  • Therapeutic resistance is common in prostate cancer, necessitating the development of novel treatment strategies.
  • Aberrant glycosylation, driven by altered glycosylation enzymes, is a hallmark of cancer, influencing tumor progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the glycosylation enzyme GCNT1 in prostate cancer progression.
  • To explore how GCNT1 influences the cellular glycome and oncogenic pathways in prostate cancer.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro and in vivo experimental models of prostate cancer.
  • Analysis of GCNT1 expression levels in aggressive prostate cancer.
  • RNA sequencing to assess gene expression alterations.
  • Glycomic analysis of prostate cancer cells and secreted glycoproteins.

Main Results:

  • GCNT1 is upregulated in aggressive prostate cancer.
  • GCNT1 promotes prostate tumor growth and modifies the cancer cell glycome, including core 2 O-glycans.
  • Upregulation of GCNT1 alters oncogenic gene expression pathways linked to tumor growth and metastasis.

Conclusions:

  • Aberrant O-glycosylation, mediated by GCNT1, plays a significant role in prostate cancer progression.
  • GCNT1 represents a potential therapeutic target for advanced prostate cancer.
  • This study provides new mechanistic insights into the role of glycosylation in prostate cancer.

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