Extracellular o-linked N-acetylglucosamine is enriched in stem cells derived from human umbilical cord blood.

ABSTRACT: Stem cells have a unique ability to self-renew and differentiate into diverse cell types. Currently, stem cells from various sources are being explored as a promising new treatment for a variety of human diseases. A diverse set of functional and phenotypical markers are used in the characterization of specific therapeutic stem cell populations. The glycans on the stem cell surface respond rapidly to alterations in cellular state and signaling and are therefore ideal for identifying even minor changes in cell populations. Many stem cell markers are based on cell surface glycan epitopes including the widely used markers SSEA-3, SSEA-4, Tra 1-60, and Tra 1-81. We have now discovered by mRNA analysis that a novel glycosyltranferase, epidermal growth factor (EGF) domain-specific O-linked GlcNAc

SUBMITTER: Suila H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3995142 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature