title: The role of N-glycans in colorectal cancer progression: potential biomarkers and therapeutic applications.
abstract: Changes in glycosylation, which is one of the most common protein post-translational modifications, are considered to be a hallmark of cancer. N-glycans can modulate cell migration, cell-cell adhesion, cell signaling, growth and metastasis. The colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality and the correlation between CRC progression and changes in the pattern of expression of N-glycans is being considered in the search for new biomarkers. Here, we review the role of N-glycans in CRC cell biology. The perspectives on emerging N-glycan-related anticancer therapies, along with new insights and challenges, are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Cellular Biology Program, Structural Biology Group, Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Julio Cesar Madureira
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: de Freitas Junior
authors.affiliation: Cellular Biology Program, Structural Biology Group, Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Andrés
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Morgado-Díaz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006031:Glycosylation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D017351:N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D011134:Polysaccharides; D017351:N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases
keywords: N-glycans; biomarkers; carcinoma; colorectal cancer; glycosylation