Characterization of Human Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Glycosphingolipids Identifies Potential Cancer Markers.

ABSTRACT: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) accounts for only 1-2% of thyroid cancers; however, metastatic MTC is a mortal disease with no cure. In this study, glycosphingolipids were isolated from human MTCs and characterized by mass spectrometry and binding of carbohydrate recognizing ligands. The tissue distribution of selected compounds was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The amount of acid glycosphingolipids in the MTCs was higher than in the normal thyroid glands. The major acid glycosphingolipid was the GD3 ganglioside. Sulfatide and the gangliosides GM3 and GD1a were also present. The majority of the complex non-acid glycosphingolipids had type 2 (Galβ4GlcNAc) core chains, i.e., the neolactotetraosylceramide, the Le^x, H type 2 and x₂ pentaosylceramides, the Le

SUBMITTER: Saljo K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8509059 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature