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Glycan–Receptor Interaction

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Recognition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2016) | Viewed by 107252

Special Issue Editor

1. Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoburo 2066, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
2. Samsung Advanced Institute of Health Science and Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
Interests: glycobiology; sialobiology; sialyltransferase; N-glycan; O-glycan; glycolipid; sphingolipid; glycoprotein; surface sugar; ganglioside; sialic acid; Sialyl Le antigen; lectin; galectin; Siglec; ER-Golgi glycosylation; sugar–receptor interaction; innate immune; xenotransplantation; cell–cell interaction
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cell surface carbohydrates attached to proteins and lipids are major components of the outer surface of mammalian cells. Changes to the surface glycosylation are important means of cell–cell interaction in fertilization, development, differentiation, growth, aging, adhesion, signal transduction, neurotransduction, immune systems, and carcinogenesis, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Therefore, surface glycosylations are mainly located on the borders of cells to communicate together by a manner of face-to-face recognition or through carbohydrate glycan–receptor interaction. Because the glycans communicate with their counterparts, such as specific receptors, through purely physical interactions, the synthesis and distribution of these components are under strict genetic controls. These glycosylated proteins and lipids have been implicated in multicellular functional expression and society formation, which depends on cell type, tissue type, and organ type. Modifications of cellular glycosylation are also a common phenotypic change in malignancy, with a poor prognosis for the patients. Most of the carbohydrate tumor antigens are sialylated. As examples, the mucin-type Sialyl-Tn, Sialyl-Lewis X, and Sialyl-Lewis A antigens are increased in the N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides of the carcinoma cell glycoproteins of cancers. The changed glycans can regulate in carbohydrate–carbohydrate, carbohydrate–protein, and carbohydrate–lipid interactions. Therefore, each glycan structure has been implicated as a face or signature of certain biological states in cells and organs. In tumors, the glycosylated antigens can be used as tumor markers for human cancer patients, especially for node-negative patients.

We invite researchers to contribute original and review articles regarding the interactions between glycans and proteins. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Glycosylation of N-/O-glycoproteins
  • Sialylation of glycoproteins and glycolipids
  • Lectin–glycan interaction
  • Sialyltransferases
  • Glycosylation in malignancy and cancers
  • Xenoantigenic glycosylation in non-human type mammals
  • Sphingolipids in membranes
  • ER-specific glycobiology
  • Golgy-specific glycobiology
  • Glycan-based cell differentiation and development
  • Glycan antigens in stem cells
  • Sialyl antigen—lectin, galectin, siglec
  • Sugar-receptor interaction
  • Innate immunity
  • Xenotransplantation

Prof. Dr. Cheorl-Ho Kim
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Glycobiology
  • N-/O-glycan
  • Glycosphingolipid
  • Glycoprotein
  • Ganglioside
  • Surface glycan
  • Lectin
  • Galectin
  • Siglec
  • ER-Golgi network
  • Glycan–receptor interaction
  • Innate immunity
  • Xenotransplantation
  • Cell–cell interaction

Published Papers (15 papers)

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Research

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1315 KiB  
Article
N-Glycoprofiling Analysis for Carbohydrate Composition and Site-Occupancy Determination in a Poly-Glycosylated Protein: Human Thyrotropin of Different Origins
by Maria Teresa C. P. Ribela, Renata Damiani, Felipe D. Silva, Eliana R. Lima, João E. Oliveira, Cibele N. Peroni, Peter A. Torjesen, Carlos R. Soares and Paolo Bartolini
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(2), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18020131 - 03 Feb 2017
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4724
Abstract
Human thyrotropin (hTSH) is a glycoprotein with three potential glycosylation sites: two in the α-subunit and one in the β-subunit. These sites are not always occupied and occupancy is frequently neglected in glycoprotein characterization, even though it is related to folding, trafficking, initiation [...] Read more.
Human thyrotropin (hTSH) is a glycoprotein with three potential glycosylation sites: two in the α-subunit and one in the β-subunit. These sites are not always occupied and occupancy is frequently neglected in glycoprotein characterization, even though it is related to folding, trafficking, initiation of inflammation and host defense, as well as congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG). For the first time N-glycoprofiling analysis was applied to the site-occupancy determination of two native pituitary hTSH, in comparison with three recombinant preparations of hTSH, a widely used biopharmaceutical. A single methodology provided the: (i) average N-glycan mass; (ii) mass fraction of each monosaccharide and of sulfate; and (iii) percent carbohydrate. The results indicate that the occupancy (65%–87%) and carbohydrate mass (12%–19%) can be up to 34%–57% higher in recombinant hormones. The average glycan mass is 24% lower in pituitary hTSH and contains ~3-fold fewer moles of galactose (p < 0.005) and sialic acid (p < 0.01). One of the two native preparations, which had the smallest glycan mass together with the lowest occupancy and GalNAc, sulfate, Gal and sialic acid contents, also presented the lowest in vivo bioactivity and circulatory half-life. The methodology described, comparing a recombinant biopharmaceutical to its native equivalent, can be applied to any physiologically or clinical relevant glycoprotein. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Glycan–Receptor Interaction)
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10917 KiB  
Article
Use of Atomic Force Microscopy to Study the Multi-Modular Interaction of Bacterial Adhesins to Mucins
by A. Patrick Gunning, Devon Kavanaugh, Elizabeth Thursby, Sabrina Etzold, Donald A. MacKenzie and Nathalie Juge
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(11), 1854; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17111854 - 08 Nov 2016
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 6798
Abstract
The mucus layer covering the gastrointestinal (GI) epithelium is critical in selecting and maintaining homeostatic interactions with our gut bacteria. However, the molecular details of these interactions are not well understood. Here, we provide mechanistic insights into the adhesion properties of the canonical [...] Read more.
The mucus layer covering the gastrointestinal (GI) epithelium is critical in selecting and maintaining homeostatic interactions with our gut bacteria. However, the molecular details of these interactions are not well understood. Here, we provide mechanistic insights into the adhesion properties of the canonical mucus-binding protein (MUB), a large multi-repeat cell–surface adhesin found in Lactobacillus inhabiting the GI tract. We used atomic force microscopy to unravel the mechanism driving MUB-mediated adhesion to mucins. Using single-molecule force spectroscopy we showed that MUB displayed remarkable adhesive properties favouring a nanospring-like adhesion model between MUB and mucin mediated by unfolding of the multiple repeats constituting the adhesin. We obtained direct evidence for MUB self-interaction; MUB–MUB followed a similar binding pattern, confirming that MUB modular structure mediated such mechanism. This was in marked contrast with the mucin adhesion behaviour presented by Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a mammalian lectin characterised by a single carbohydrate binding domain (CRD). The binding mechanisms reported here perfectly match the particular structural organization of MUB, which maximizes interactions with the mucin glycan receptors through its long and linear multi-repeat structure, potentiating the retention of bacteria within the outer mucus layer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Glycan–Receptor Interaction)
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Article
ST6GALNAC5 Expression Decreases the Interactions between Breast Cancer Cells and the Human Blood-Brain Barrier
by Aurore Drolez, Elodie Vandenhaute, Clément Philippe Delannoy, Justine Hélène Dewald, Fabien Gosselet, Romeo Cecchelli, Sylvain Julien, Marie-Pierre Dehouck, Philippe Delannoy and Caroline Mysiorek
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(8), 1309; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17081309 - 11 Aug 2016
Cited by 43 | Viewed by 5106
Abstract
The ST6GALNAC5 gene that encodes an α2,6-sialyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of α-series gangliosides, was previously identified as one of the genes that mediate breast cancer metastasis to the brain. We have shown that the expression of ST6GALNAC5 in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells [...] Read more.
The ST6GALNAC5 gene that encodes an α2,6-sialyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of α-series gangliosides, was previously identified as one of the genes that mediate breast cancer metastasis to the brain. We have shown that the expression of ST6GALNAC5 in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells resulted in the expression of GD1α ganglioside at the cell surface. By using a human blood-brain barrier in vitro model recently developed, consisting in CD34+ derived endothelial cells co-cultivated with pericytes, we show that ST6GALNAC5 expression decreased the interactions between the breast cancer cells and the human blood-brain barrier. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Glycan–Receptor Interaction)
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Article
Upregulation of Human ST8Sia VI (α2,8-Sialyltransferase) Gene Expression by Physcion in SK-N-BE(2)-C Human Neuroblastoma Cells
by Hyun-Kyoung Yoon, Hyun-Kyu An, Min Jung Ko, Kyoung-Sook Kim, Seo-Won Mun, Dong-Hyun Kim, Cheol Min Kim, Cheorl-Ho Kim, Young Whan Choi and Young-Choon Lee
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(8), 1246; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17081246 - 02 Aug 2016
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4881
Abstract
In this research, we firstly demonstrated that physcion, an anthraquinone derivative, specifically increased the expression of the human α2,8-sialyltransferase (hST8Sia VI) gene in SK-N-BE(2)-C human neuroblastoma cells. To establish the mechanism responsible for the up-regulation of hST8Sia VI gene expression in physcion-treated SK-N-BE(2)-C [...] Read more.
In this research, we firstly demonstrated that physcion, an anthraquinone derivative, specifically increased the expression of the human α2,8-sialyltransferase (hST8Sia VI) gene in SK-N-BE(2)-C human neuroblastoma cells. To establish the mechanism responsible for the up-regulation of hST8Sia VI gene expression in physcion-treated SK-N-BE(2)-C cells, the putative promoter region of the hST8Sia VI gene was functionally characterized. Promoter analysis with serially truncated fragments of the 5′-flanking region showed that the region between −320 and −240 is crucial for physcion-induced transcription of hST8Sia VI in SK-N-BE(2)-C cells. Putative binding sites for transcription factors Pax-5 and NF-Y are located at this region. The Pax-5 binding site at −262 to −256 was essential for the expression of the hST8Sia VI gene by physcion in SK-N-BE(2)-C cells. Moreover, the transcription of hST8Sia VI induced by physcion in SK-N-BE(2)-C cells was inhibited by extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) inhibitor U0126 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor SB203580, but not c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125. These results suggest that physcion upregulates hST8Sia VI gene expression via ERK and p38 MAPK pathways in SK-N-BE(2)-C cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Glycan–Receptor Interaction)
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3254 KiB  
Article
Predominant Expression of Hybrid N-Glycans Has Distinct Cellular Roles Relative to Complex and Oligomannose N-Glycans
by M. Kristen Hall, Douglas A. Weidner, Yong Zhu, Sahil Dayal, Austin A. Whitman and Ruth A. Schwalbe
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(6), 925; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17060925 - 13 Jun 2016
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5832
Abstract
Glycosylation modulates growth, maintenance, and stress signaling processes. Consequently, altered N-glycosylation is associated with reduced fitness and disease. Therefore, expanding our understanding of N-glycans in altering biological processes is of utmost interest. Herein, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/caspase9 (CRISPR/Cas9) technology [...] Read more.
Glycosylation modulates growth, maintenance, and stress signaling processes. Consequently, altered N-glycosylation is associated with reduced fitness and disease. Therefore, expanding our understanding of N-glycans in altering biological processes is of utmost interest. Herein, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/caspase9 (CRISPR/Cas9) technology was employed to engineer a glycosylation mutant Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell line, K16, which expresses predominantly hybrid type N-glycans. This newly engineered cell line enabled us to compare N-glycan effects on cellular properties of hybrid type N-glycans, to the well-established Pro5 and Lec1 cell lines, which express complex and oligomannose types of N-glycans, respectively. Lectin binding studies revealed the predominant N-glycan expressed in K16 is hybrid type. Cell dissociation and migration assays demonstrated the greatest strength of cell–cell adhesion and fastest migratory rates for oligomannose N-glycans, and these properties decreased as oligomannose type were converted to hybrid type, and further decreased upon conversion to complex type. Next, we examined the roles of three general types of N-glycans on ectopic expression of E-cadherin, a cell–cell adhesion protein. Microscopy revealed more functional E-cadherin at the cell–cell border when N-glycans were oligomannose and these levels decreased as the oligomannose N-glycans were processed to hybrid and then to complex. Thus, we provide evidence that all three general types of N-glycans impact plasma membrane architecture and cellular properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Glycan–Receptor Interaction)
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683 KiB  
Article
Serum Galectin-9 and Galectin-3-Binding Protein in Acute Dengue Virus Infection
by Kuan-Ting Liu, Yao-Hua Liu, Yen-Hsu Chen, Chun-Yu Lin, Chung-Hao Huang, Meng-Chi Yen and Po-Lin Kuo
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(6), 832; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17060832 - 27 May 2016
Cited by 37 | Viewed by 6245
Abstract
Dengue fever is a serious threat for public health and induces various inflammatory cytokines and mediators, including galectins and glycoproteins. Diverse immune responses and immunological pathways are induced in different phases of dengue fever progression. However, the status of serum galectins and glycoproteins [...] Read more.
Dengue fever is a serious threat for public health and induces various inflammatory cytokines and mediators, including galectins and glycoproteins. Diverse immune responses and immunological pathways are induced in different phases of dengue fever progression. However, the status of serum galectins and glycoproteins is not fully determined. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum concentration and potential interaction of soluble galectin-1, galectin-3, galectin-9, galectin-3 binding protein (galectin-3BP), glycoprotein 130 (gp130), and E-, L-, and P-selectin in patients with dengue fever in acute febrile phase. In this study, 317 febrile patients (187 dengue patients, 150 non-dengue patients that included 48 patients with bacterial infection and 102 patients with other febrile illness) who presented to the emergency department and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. Our results showed the levels of galectin-9 and galectin-3BP were significantly higher in dengue patients than those in healthy controls. Lower serum levels of galectin-1, galectin-3, and E-, L-, and P-selectin in dengue patients were detected compared to bacteria-infected patients, but not to healthy controls. In addition, strong correlation between galectin-9 and galectin-3BP was observed in dengue patients. In summary, our study suggested galectin-9 and galectin-3BP might be critical inflammatory mediators in acute dengue virus infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Glycan–Receptor Interaction)
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3184 KiB  
Article
Exogenous and Endogeneous Disialosyl Ganglioside GD1b Induces Apoptosis of MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells
by Sun-Hyung Ha, Ji-Min Lee, Kyung-Min Kwon, Choong-Hwan Kwak, Fukushi Abekura, Jun-Young Park, Seung-Hak Cho, Kichoon Lee, Young-Chae Chang, Young-Choon Lee, Hee-Jung Choi, Tae-Wook Chung, Ki-Tae Ha, Hyeun-Wook Chang and Cheorl-Ho Kim
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(5), 652; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17050652 - 30 Apr 2016
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 6179
Abstract
Gangliosides have been known to play a role in the regulation of apoptosis in cancer cells. This study has employed disialyl-ganglioside GD1b to apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells using exogenous treatment of the cells with GD1b and endogenous expression of GD1b [...] Read more.
Gangliosides have been known to play a role in the regulation of apoptosis in cancer cells. This study has employed disialyl-ganglioside GD1b to apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells using exogenous treatment of the cells with GD1b and endogenous expression of GD1b in MCF-7 cells. First, apoptosis in MCF-7 cells was observed after treatment of GD1b. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with GD1b reduced cell growth rates in a dose and time dependent manner during GD1b treatment, as determined by XTT assay. Among the various gangliosides, GD1b specifically induced apoptosis of the MCF-7 cells. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence assays showed that GD1b specifically induces apoptosis in the MCF-7 cells with Annexin V binding for apoptotic actions in early stage and propidium iodide (PI) staining the nucleus of the MCF-7 cells. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with GD1b activated apoptotic molecules such as processed forms of caspase-8, -7 and PARP (Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase), without any change in the expression of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis molecules such as Bax and Bcl-2. Second, to investigate the effect of endogenously produced GD1b on the regulation of cell function, UDP-gal: β1,3-galactosyltransferase-2 (GD1b synthase, Gal-T2) gene has been transfected into the MCF-7 cells. Using the GD1b synthase-transfectants, apoptosis-related signal proteins linked to phenotype changes were examined. Similar to the exogenous GD1b treatment, the cell growth of the GD1b synthase gene-transfectants was significantly suppressed compared with the vector-transfectant cell lines and transfection activated the apoptotic molecules such as processed forms of caspase-8, -7 and PARP, but not the levels of expression of Bax and Bcl-2. GD1b-induced apoptosis was blocked by caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD. Therefore, taken together, it was concluded that GD1b could play an important role in the regulation of breast cancer apoptosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Glycan–Receptor Interaction)
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8283 KiB  
Article
Prototype and Chimera-Type Galectins in Placentas with Spontaneous and Recurrent Miscarriages
by Laura Unverdorben, Thomas Haufe, Laura Santoso, Simone Hofmann, Udo Jeschke and Stefan Hutter
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(5), 644; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17050644 - 28 Apr 2016
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4643
Abstract
Galectins are galactose binding proteins and, in addition, factors for a wide range of pathologies in pregnancy. We have analyzed the expression of prototype (gal-1, -2, -7, -10) and chimera-type (gal-3) galectins in the placenta in cases of spontaneous abortions (SPA) and recurrent [...] Read more.
Galectins are galactose binding proteins and, in addition, factors for a wide range of pathologies in pregnancy. We have analyzed the expression of prototype (gal-1, -2, -7, -10) and chimera-type (gal-3) galectins in the placenta in cases of spontaneous abortions (SPA) and recurrent abortions (RA) in the first trimester. Fifteen placental samples from healthy pregnancies were used as a control group. Nine placentas were examined for spontaneous abortions, and 12 placentas for recurrent abortions. For differentiation and evaluation of different cell types of galectin-expression in the decidua, immunofluorescence was used. For all investigated prototype galectins (gal-1, -2, -7, -10) in SPA and RA placenta trophoblast cells the expression is significantly decreased. In the decidua/extravillous trophoblast only gal-2 expression was significantly lowered, which could be connected to its role in angiogenesis. In trophoblasts in first-trimester placentas and in cases of SPA and RA, prototype galectins are altered in the same way. We suspect prototype galectins have a similar function in placental tissue because of their common biochemical structure. Expression of galectin 3 as a chimera type galectin was not found to be significantly altered in abortive placentas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Glycan–Receptor Interaction)
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6222 KiB  
Article
Placental Expression Patterns of Galectin-1, Galectin-2, Galectin-3 and Galectin-13 in Cases of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)
by Stefan Hutter, Julia Knabl, Ulrich Andergassen, Simone Hofmann, Christina Kuhn, Sven Mahner, Petra Arck and Udo Jeschke
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(4), 523; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17040523 - 07 Apr 2016
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 5897
Abstract
Galectins (gal) are members of the mammalian β-galactoside-binding proteins and recognize Galβ1-4GlcNAc and Galβ1-4GalNac (Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (TF)) sequences of several cell surface oligosaccharides. In this study, gal-1, -2, -3 and -13 were investigated systematically in the trophoblast and decidua compartment of intrauterine growth [...] Read more.
Galectins (gal) are members of the mammalian β-galactoside-binding proteins and recognize Galβ1-4GlcNAc and Galβ1-4GalNac (Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (TF)) sequences of several cell surface oligosaccharides. In this study, gal-1, -2, -3 and -13 were investigated systematically in the trophoblast and decidua compartment of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) placentas and normal third trimester control placentas and stratified by fetal gender and gestational age. Within this study, 29 third trimester placentas after delivery were analyzed. Fetal gender was equally divided within both groups, and immunohistochemical staining was analyzed according to fetal gender and gestational age. Double immune-fluorescence with trophoblast-specific markers was used to identify galectin-expressing cells at the feto-maternal interface in the decidua. Gal-3 was significantly downregulated only in the extravillous trophoblast of IUGR placentas. In contrast, expressions of gal-2 and gal-13 were downregulated in both villous and extravillous trophoblast cells of IUGR placentas. In addition, gal-2 and gal-13 showed a highly correlated expression scheme in the placenta. There are significant gender-specific expression patterns for single prototype galectins with downregulation of gal-2 and gal-13 of male gender placentas in cases of IUGR. Gal-3 as the chimera type galectin shows only little gender-specific differences in expression, which disappear in IUGR cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Glycan–Receptor Interaction)
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Review

Jump to: Research

6791 KiB  
Review
Effects of Glycosylation on the Enzymatic Activity and Mechanisms of Proteases
by Peter Goettig
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(12), 1969; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17121969 - 25 Nov 2016
Cited by 85 | Viewed by 11604
Abstract
Posttranslational modifications are an important feature of most proteases in higher organisms, such as the conversion of inactive zymogens into active proteases. To date, little information is available on the role of glycosylation and functional implications for secreted proteases. Besides a stabilizing effect [...] Read more.
Posttranslational modifications are an important feature of most proteases in higher organisms, such as the conversion of inactive zymogens into active proteases. To date, little information is available on the role of glycosylation and functional implications for secreted proteases. Besides a stabilizing effect and protection against proteolysis, several proteases show a significant influence of glycosylation on the catalytic activity. Glycans can alter the substrate recognition, the specificity and binding affinity, as well as the turnover rates. However, there is currently no known general pattern, since glycosylation can have both stimulating and inhibiting effects on activity. Thus, a comparative analysis of individual cases with sufficient enzyme kinetic and structural data is a first approach to describe mechanistic principles that govern the effects of glycosylation on the function of proteases. The understanding of glycan functions becomes highly significant in proteomic and glycomic studies, which demonstrated that cancer-associated proteases, such as kallikrein-related peptidase 3, exhibit strongly altered glycosylation patterns in pathological cases. Such findings can contribute to a variety of future biomedical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Glycan–Receptor Interaction)
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1352 KiB  
Review
Glycosphingolipid–Protein Interaction in Signal Transduction
by Domenico Russo, Seetharaman Parashuraman and Giovanni D’Angelo
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(10), 1732; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17101732 - 15 Oct 2016
Cited by 61 | Viewed by 8001
Abstract
Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are a class of ceramide-based glycolipids essential for embryo development in mammals. The synthesis of specific GSLs depends on the expression of distinctive sets of GSL synthesizing enzymes that is tightly regulated during development. Several reports have described how cell surface [...] Read more.
Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are a class of ceramide-based glycolipids essential for embryo development in mammals. The synthesis of specific GSLs depends on the expression of distinctive sets of GSL synthesizing enzymes that is tightly regulated during development. Several reports have described how cell surface receptors can be kept in a resting state or activate alternative signalling events as a consequence of their interaction with GSLs. Specific GSLs, indeed, interface with specific protein domains that are found in signalling molecules and which act as GSL sensors to modify signalling responses. The regulation exerted by GSLs on signal transduction is orthogonal to the ligand–receptor axis, as it usually does not directly interfere with the ligand binding to receptors. Due to their properties of adjustable production and orthogonal action on receptors, GSLs add a new dimension to the control of the signalling in development. GSLs can, indeed, dynamically influence progenitor cell response to morphogenetic stimuli, resulting in alternative differentiation fates. Here, we review the available literature on GSL–protein interactions and their effects on cell signalling and development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Glycan–Receptor Interaction)
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2564 KiB  
Review
The Role of Galectin-1 in Cancer Progression, and Synthetic Multivalent Systems for the Study of Galectin-1
by Jonathan M. Cousin and Mary J. Cloninger
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(9), 1566; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17091566 - 16 Sep 2016
Cited by 92 | Viewed by 10304
Abstract
This review discusses the role of galectin-1 in the tumor microenvironment. First, the structure and function of galectin-1 are discussed. Galectin-1, a member of the galectin family of lectins, is a functionally dimeric galactoside-binding protein. Although galectin-1 has both intracellular and extracellular functions, [...] Read more.
This review discusses the role of galectin-1 in the tumor microenvironment. First, the structure and function of galectin-1 are discussed. Galectin-1, a member of the galectin family of lectins, is a functionally dimeric galactoside-binding protein. Although galectin-1 has both intracellular and extracellular functions, the defining carbohydrate-binding role occurs extracellularly. In this review, the extracellular roles of galectin-1 in cancer processes are discussed. In particular, the importance of multivalent interactions in galectin-1 mediated cellular processes is reviewed. Multivalent interactions involving galectin-1 in cellular adhesion, mobility and invasion, tumor-induced angiogenesis, and apoptosis are presented. Although the mechanisms of action of galectin-1 in these processes are still not well understood, the overexpression of galectin-1 in cancer progression indicates that the role of galectin-1 is significant. To conclude this review, synthetic frameworks that have been used to modulate galectin-1 processes are reviewed. Small molecule oligomers of carbohydrates, carbohydrate-functionalized pseudopolyrotaxanes, cyclodextrins, calixarenes, and glycodendrimers are presented. These synthetic multivalent systems serve as important tools for studying galectin-1 mediated cancer cellular functions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Glycan–Receptor Interaction)
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6694 KiB  
Review
Phylogenetic-Derived Insights into the Evolution of Sialylation in Eukaryotes: Comprehensive Analysis of Vertebrate β-Galactoside α2,3/6-Sialyltransferases (ST3Gal and ST6Gal)
by Roxana E. Teppa, Daniel Petit, Olga Plechakova, Virginie Cogez and Anne Harduin-Lepers
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(8), 1286; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17081286 - 09 Aug 2016
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 5894
Abstract
Cell surface of eukaryotic cells is covered with a wide variety of sialylated molecules involved in diverse biological processes and taking part in cell–cell interactions. Although the physiological relevance of these sialylated glycoconjugates in vertebrates begins to be deciphered, the origin and evolution [...] Read more.
Cell surface of eukaryotic cells is covered with a wide variety of sialylated molecules involved in diverse biological processes and taking part in cell–cell interactions. Although the physiological relevance of these sialylated glycoconjugates in vertebrates begins to be deciphered, the origin and evolution of the genetic machinery implicated in their biosynthetic pathway are poorly understood. Among the variety of actors involved in the sialylation machinery, sialyltransferases are key enzymes for the biosynthesis of sialylated molecules. This review focus on β-galactoside α2,3/6-sialyltransferases belonging to the ST3Gal and ST6Gal families. We propose here an outline of the evolutionary history of these two major ST families. Comparative genomics, molecular phylogeny and structural bioinformatics provided insights into the functional innovations in sialic acid metabolism and enabled to explore how ST-gene function evolved in vertebrates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Glycan–Receptor Interaction)
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672 KiB  
Review
The Role of Galectin-3 in the Kidneys
by Szu-Chia Chen and Po-Lin Kuo
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(4), 565; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17040565 - 14 Apr 2016
Cited by 89 | Viewed by 9437
Abstract
Galectin-3 is a 32- to 35-kDa member of the galectin family of b-galactoside-binding lectins, which is characterized by a carbohydrate recognition domain. Through its carbohydrate-binding function, it regulates cell growth, differentiation, and inflammation. It also plays a complex, context-dependent role in the kidneys. [...] Read more.
Galectin-3 is a 32- to 35-kDa member of the galectin family of b-galactoside-binding lectins, which is characterized by a carbohydrate recognition domain. Through its carbohydrate-binding function, it regulates cell growth, differentiation, and inflammation. It also plays a complex, context-dependent role in the kidneys. During development, it promotes nephrogenesis and is strongly expressed in the ureteric bud and its derivatives. An increase in the concentration of galectin-3 has been reported to be associated with fibrosis of the kidneys. Elevated levels of plasma galectin-3 are also associated with increased risks of rapid renal function decline, incident chronic kidney disease, and progressive renal impairment, and also with cardiovascular end points, infection, and all-cause mortality in patients with renal function impairment. This review discusses a general survey on galectin-3 expressions in nephrogenesis, kidney injury animal models, clinical renal diseases, renal transplantation and the potential role of galectin-3 for treatment in kidney disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Glycan–Receptor Interaction)
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Review
The Role of Sialyl-Tn in Cancer
by Jennifer Munkley
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(3), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17030275 - 24 Feb 2016
Cited by 141 | Viewed by 10765
Abstract
Activation of an aberrant glycosylation pathway in cancer cells can lead to expression of the onco-foetal sialyl-Tn (sTn) antigen. STn is a truncated O-glycan containing a sialic acid α-2,6 linked to GalNAc α-O-Ser/Thr and is associated with an adverse outcome [...] Read more.
Activation of an aberrant glycosylation pathway in cancer cells can lead to expression of the onco-foetal sialyl-Tn (sTn) antigen. STn is a truncated O-glycan containing a sialic acid α-2,6 linked to GalNAc α-O-Ser/Thr and is associated with an adverse outcome and poor prognosis in cancer patients. The biosynthesis of the sTn antigen has been linked to the expression of the sialytransferase ST6GalNAc1, and also to mutations in and loss of heterozygosity of the COSMC gene. sTn neo- or over-expression occurs in many types of epithelial cancer including gastric, colon, breast, lung, oesophageal, prostate and endometrial cancer. sTn is believed to be carried by a variety of glycoproteins and may influence protein function and be involved in tumour development. This review discusses how the role of sTn in cancer development and tumour cell invasiveness might be organ specific and occur through different mechanisms depending on each cancer type or subtype. As the sTn-antigen is expressed early in carcinogenesis targeting sTn in cancer may enable the targeting of tumours from the earliest stage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Glycan–Receptor Interaction)
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