Intrinsic hepatocyte dedifferentiation is accompanied by upregulation of mesenchymal markers, protein sialylation and core alpha 1,6 linked fucosylation

Sci Rep. 2016 Jun 22:6:27965. doi: 10.1038/srep27965.

Abstract

Alterations in N-linked glycosylation have long been associated with cancer but for the most part, the reasons why have remained poorly understood. Here we show that increased core fucosylation is associated with de-differentiation of primary hepatocytes and with the appearance of markers indicative of a transition of cells from an epithelial to a mesenchymal state. This increase in core fucosylation was associated with increased levels of two enzymes involved in α-1,6 linked fucosylation, GDP-mannose 4, 6-dehydratase (Gmds) and to a lesser extent fucosyltransferase 8 (Fut8). In addition, the activation of cancer-associated cellular signaling pathways in primary rat hepatocytes can increase core fucosylation and induce additional glycoform alterations on hepatocyte proteins. Specifically, we show that increased levels of protein sialylation and α-1,6-linked core fucosylation are observed following activation of the β-catenin pathway. Activation of the Akt signaling pathway or induction of hypoxia also results in increased levels of fucosylation and sialylation. We believe that this knowledge will help in the better understanding of the genetic factors associated with altered glycosylation and may allow for the development of more clinically relevant biomarkers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology*
  • Cell Dedifferentiation / physiology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / physiology*
  • Fucosyltransferases / genetics*
  • Fucosyltransferases / metabolism
  • Glycosylation
  • Hepatocytes / cytology
  • Hydro-Lyases / metabolism*
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Up-Regulation
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Hif1a protein, rat
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • beta Catenin
  • Fucosyltransferases
  • Glycoprotein 6-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Hydro-Lyases
  • GDPmannose 4,6-dehydratase