Our paper on O-linked glycans defining stem cell populations in breast cancer was the top publication featured in Mammary Cell News this week! We are excited to share these findings and further the discussion of glycosylation in cancer stem cells.
Melanie's paper on O-linked glycosylation defining stem cell populations is published!
ABSTRACT
We pursued the hypothesis that specific glycans can be used to distinguish breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) and influence their function. Comparison of CSCs and non-CSCs from multiple breast cancer models revealed that CSCs are distinguished by expression of α2,3 sialylated core2 O-linked glycans. We identified a lectin, SLBR-N, which binds to O-linked α2,3 sialic acids, that was able to enrich for CSCs in vitro and in vivo. This O-glycan is expressed on CD44 and promotes its interaction with hyaluronic acid, facilitating CD44 signaling and CSC properties. In con- trast, FUT3, which contributes to sialyl Lewis X (sLeX) production, is preferentially expressed in the non-CSC popu- lation, and it antagonizes CSC function. Collectively, our data indicate that SLBR-N can be more efficient at enriching for CSCs than CD44 itself because its use avoids the issues of CD44 splicing and glycan status. These data also reveal how differential glycosylation influences CSC fate.
Walker MR, Goel HL, Mukhopadhyay D, Chhoy P, Karner ER, Clark JL, Liu H, Li R, Zhu JL, Chen S, Mahal LK, Bensing BA, Mercurio AM. O-linked α2,3 sialylation defines stem cell populations in breast cancer. Science Advances. 2022 January 07. PMID: 34995107
Student Spotlight: Graduate Student Emmet Karner
Our very own Emmet Karner was recently highlighted in the UMass Chan Medical School Student Spotlight series!! The article and video highlights Emmet’s inspiration and love for science and research.
We are very proud of Emmet and all the hard work he puts into his research!
You can find the article and video here.
Upcoming Publication!
Our paper on protein glycosylation and breast cancer stem cells, headed by former graduate student Dr. Melanie Walker, is In Press at Science Advances and will be published in January, 2022.
We are excited to share our findings and bring more attention to the emerging field of glycosylation in regards to breast cancer!
Good Luck Koti and Melanie!!
The Mercurio Lab sends much love and appreciation to Koti and Melanie as they embark on their next journey.
Both will be working as scientist at their new organizations. Koti will be joining Flagship Pioneering 75 and Melanie will be joining Sanofi.
We are proud of both of them and are excited to see all they accomplish in the future.
Best of luck to Koti and Melanie!