Abstract | BACKGROUND: SCOPE OF THE REVIEW: To describe the phenotypic and clinical implications of altered expression of sialyltransferases and of their cognate sialylated structures in cancer. To propose a unifying model of the role of sialyltransferases and sialylated structures on cancer progression. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: We first discuss the biosynthesis and the role played by the major cancer-associated sialylated structures, including Thomsen-Friedenreich-associated antigens, sialyl Lewis antigens, α2,6-sialylated lactosamine, polysialic acid and gangliosides. Then, we show that altered sialyltransferase expression in cancer, consequence of genetic and epigenetic alterations, generates a flow of information toward the membrane through the biosynthesis of aberrantly sialylated molecules (inside-out signaling). In turn, the presence of aberrantly sialylated structures on cell membrane receptors generates a flow of information toward the nucleus, which can exacerbate the neoplastic phenotype (outside-in signaling). We provide examples of self-fueling loops generated by these flows of information. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE:
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Authors | Fabio Dall'Olio, Nadia Malagolini, Marco Trinchera, Mariella Chiricolo |
Journal | Biochimica et biophysica acta
(Biochim Biophys Acta)
Vol. 1840
Issue 9
Pg. 2752-64
(Sep 2014)
ISSN: 0006-3002 [Print] Netherlands |
PMID | 24949982
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. |
Chemical References |
- Neoplasm Proteins
- Sialyltransferases
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Topics |
- Animals
- Disease Progression
- Humans
- Neoplasm Proteins
(genetics, metabolism)
- Neoplasms
(enzymology, genetics, pathology)
- Sialyltransferases
(genetics, metabolism)
- Signal Transduction
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