Sialic acid metabolic engineering: a potential strategy for the neuroblastoma therapy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sialic acids (Sia) represent negative-charged terminal sugars on most glycoproteins and glycolipids on the cell surface of vertebrates. Aberrant expression of tumor associated sialylated carbohydrate epitopes significantly increases during onset of cancer. Since Sia contribute towards cell migration ( =  metastasis) and to chemo- and radiation resistance. Modulation of cellular Sia concentration and composition poses a challenge especially for neuroblastoma therapy, due to the high heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance of these cells. Here we propose that Metabolic Sia Engineering (MSE) is an effective strategy to reduce neuroblastoma progression and metastasis.

Methods

Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were treated with synthetic Sia precursors N-propanoyl man

SUBMITTER: Gnanapragassam VS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4141789 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature