Modulation of E-cadherin function and dysfunction by N-glycosylation

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2011 Mar;68(6):1011-20. doi: 10.1007/s00018-010-0595-0. Epub 2010 Nov 23.

Abstract

Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the E-cadherin dysfunction in cancer, including genetic and epigenetic alterations. Nevertheless, a significant number of human carcinomas have been seen that show E-cadherin dysfunction that cannot be explained at the genetic/epigenetic level. A substantial body of evidence has appeared recently that supports the view that other mechanisms operating at the post-translational level may also affect E-cadherin function. The present review addresses molecular aspects related to E-cadherin N-glycosylation and evidence is presented showing that the modification of N-linked glycans on E-cadherin can affect the adhesive function of this adhesion molecule. The role of glycosyltransferases involved in the remodeling of N-glycans on E-cadherin, including N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III), N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT-V), and the α1,6 fucosyltransferase (FUT8) enzyme, is also discussed. Finally, this review discusses an alternative functional regulatory mechanism for E-cadherin operating at the post-translational level, N-glycosylation, that may underlie the E-cadherin dysfunction in some carcinomas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cadherins / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma / pathology
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology
  • Glycosylation
  • Glycosyltransferases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Polysaccharides / metabolism
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Polysaccharides
  • Glycosyltransferases