Fucosylation in digestive inflammatory diseases and cancers: From mechanical studies to clinical translation

Fucosylation is a post-translational modification that attaches fucose to glycoproteins or glycolipids, thereby influencing their biological functions. Consequently, fucosylation proves indispensable for many biological processes, such as ligand-receptor interaction, cell adhesion, and signal transduction, holding critical clinical significance in the genesis and development of diseases. Recent studies further unveiled the clinical significance and molecular mechanism underlying the pathogenetic role of aberrant fucosylation. Herein, we summarize the effects of fucosylation in digestive system inflammatory diseases and cancers, primarily concentrating on the intestine, stomach, liver, and pancreas, from the aspects of the genetic risks of fucosyltransferase mutation, the roles of aberrant fucosylated glycans as diagnostic biomarkers, and the molecular mechanisms of fucosylation-related gene-induced disorders. Finally, we discuss therapeutic strategies targeting fucosylation by fucose or fucosylation inhibitors. We aim to elaborate on the current understanding and provide novel insights into the role of fucosylation in digestive diseases, hoping to facilitate future studies and resolve clinical issues.