Work

Melanoma‐associated glycosyltransferase GCNT2 as an emerging biomarker and therapeutic target*

Year: 2021

Type: review

Abstract: In metastatic melanoma, with a dismal survival rate and propensity for treatment resistance and recurrence, it is critical to establish biomarkers that better predict treatment response and disease severity. The melanoma glycome, composed of complex carbohydrates termed glycans, is an under-investigated area of research, although it is gaining momentum in the cancer biomarker and therapeutics field. Novel findings suggest that glycans play a major role in influencing melanoma progression and could be exploited for prognosticating metastatic activity and/or as therapeutic targets. In this review, we discuss the role of aberrant glycosylation, particularly the specialized function of β1,6 N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 2 (GCNT2), in melanoma pathogenesis and summarize mechanisms of GCNT2 regulation to illuminate its potential as a predictive marker and therapeutic target.

Source: British Journal of Dermatology

DOI: 10.1111/bjd.19891

Authors: M. Perez, A. Chakraborty, L.S. Lau, N.B.B. Mohammed, C.J. Dimitroff

Institution: Florida International University

Language: English

Topic: Glycosylation and Glycoproteins Research

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases