Biological significance of cancer-associated sialyl-Tn antigen: Modulation of malignant phenotype in gastric carcinoma cells

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2007

Authors

Pinho, S (Author) Other; Marcos, NT (Author) Other; Ferreira, B (Author) Other; Carvalho, AS (Author) Other; Oliveira, MJ (Author) Other; Santos-Silva F (Author) FMUP; Harduln Lepers, A (Author) Other; Celso Reis (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Cancer Letters

Vol. 249

Pages: 157-170

ISSN: 0304-3835

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 108 Citations

Scopus - 117 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-A4G

DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2006.08.010

Abstract (EN): The activation of an abnormal glycosylation pathway in cancer cells leads to the formation of the sialyl-Tn antigen, blocking regular carbohydrate chain elongation. Sialyl-Tn antigen is rarely expressed in normal tissues but is aberrantly expressed in a variety of carcinomas, where it constitutes a marker of poor prognosis. Although the clinical significance of sialyl-Tn is well characterized, a functional role for this glycan and its contribution to cancer progression remain to be elucidated. This study evaluates the capability of sialyl-Tn to modify processes like cell cycle, apoptosis, actin cytoskeleton dynamics, adhesion and motility on ECM components, cell-cell aggregation and invasion. De-novo expression of sialyl-Tn leads to major morphological and cell behavior alterations in gastric carcinoma cells which were reverted by specific antibody blockage. Sialyl-Tn antigen is able to modulate a malignant phenotype inducing a more aggressive cell behavior, such as decreased cell-cell aggregation and increased ECM adhesion, migration and invasion.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 14