The involvement of Helix pomatia lectin (HPA) binding N-acetylgalactosamine glycans in cancer progression.

摘要: The lectin from Helix pomatia, the Roman snail (HPA), recognises terminal alpha N-acetylgalactosamine residues. A large number of histochemical studies have demonstrated that expression HPA-binding glycoproteins by cancer cells to be a marker metastatic competence and poor prognosis in range common human adenocarcinomas, including those breast, stomach, ovary, oesophagus, colorectum, thyroid prostate. Around 80% metastases arising primary breast are predictably HPA positive, but, intriguingly, around 20% do not express binding reflecting complexity mechanisms further disruptions cellular glycosylation attend tumour progression. is an independent prognostic factor, but strongly associated with presence local lymph nodes. It does appear other clinical features importance such as size, histological grade, S-phase fraction, ploidy, there little convincing evidence any association oncogene or hormone receptor positivity. precise nature metastasis-associated partner(s) question some interest, thus far remains unclear. will recognise, for example, Tn epitope blood group antigen, its significance appears through recognition much broader heterogeneous array N-galactosaminylated glycoproteins. Their synthesis mediated alteration activity one more enzymes glycosylation. most likely putative roles ligands cascade may enhancement invasive capacity, interaction yet unidentified lectin-like facilitating adhesion processes. information provided histochemistry used clinically inform physician aid treatment decisions; interesting challenge understanding ligands, defining their role complex metastasis.