Zeitschrift für molekulare Biomarker und Diagnose

N-Glycolyl GM3 Ganglioside as a Relevant Tumor Antigen in Humans

Abstract

Rancés Blanco

It is known, human cells are incapable of synthesizing the N-glycolyl neuraminic acid (NeuGc) due to the inactivation of the cytidine monophospho-N-acetyl-neuraminic acid hydroxylase, the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of this sialic acid. Conversely, the aberrant expression of NeuGc-sialoconjugates has been detected in humans, although preferentially in malignant tissues. The more accepted hypothesis for the presence of NeuGc in human malignancies is associated with its incorporation from dietary sources to the altered metabolism of malignant cells which is also favored by the hypoxic conditions of tumors. However, the significance of NeuGccontaining conjugates in tumor biology as well as its clinical implications is still under investigation. One of these molecules is Nglycolyl GM3 ganglioside (NeuGcGM3).