Fucosylation in digestive inflammatory diseases and cancers: From mechanical studies to clinical translation

Fucosylation is a post-translational modification that attaches fucose to glycoproteins or glycolipids, thereby influencing their biological functions. Consequently, fucosylation proves indispensable for many biological processes, such as ligand–receptor interaction, cell adhesion, and signal transd...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Caihan Duan, Junhao Wu, Zhe Wang, Xiaohua Hou, Chaoqun Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-11-01
Series:Genes and Diseases
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352304225000595
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849226969721339904
author Caihan Duan
Junhao Wu
Zhe Wang
Xiaohua Hou
Chaoqun Han
author_facet Caihan Duan
Junhao Wu
Zhe Wang
Xiaohua Hou
Chaoqun Han
author_sort Caihan Duan
collection DOAJ
description Fucosylation is a post-translational modification that attaches fucose to glycoproteins or glycolipids, thereby influencing their biological functions. Consequently, fucosylation proves indispensable for many biological processes, such as ligand–receptor interaction, cell adhesion, and signal transduction, holding critical clinical significance in the genesis and development of diseases. Recent studies further unveiled the clinical significance and molecular mechanism underlying the pathogenetic role of aberrant fucosylation. Herein, we summarize the effects of fucosylation in digestive system inflammatory diseases and cancers, primarily concentrating on the intestine, stomach, liver, and pancreas, from the aspects of the genetic risks of fucosyltransferase mutation, the roles of aberrant fucosylated glycans as diagnostic biomarkers, and the molecular mechanisms of fucosylation-related gene-induced disorders. Finally, we discuss therapeutic strategies targeting fucosylation by fucose or fucosylation inhibitors. We aim to elaborate on the current understanding and provide novel insights into the role of fucosylation in digestive diseases, hoping to facilitate future studies and resolve clinical issues.
format Article
id doaj-art-e1b3c2fb052b4b269cf9c71e4f9b7d67
institution Kabale University
issn 2352-3042
language English
publishDate 2025-11-01
publisher KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
record_format Article
series Genes and Diseases
spelling doaj-art-e1b3c2fb052b4b269cf9c71e4f9b7d672025-08-24T05:13:00ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Genes and Diseases2352-30422025-11-0112610157010.1016/j.gendis.2025.101570Fucosylation in digestive inflammatory diseases and cancers: From mechanical studies to clinical translationCaihan Duan0Junhao Wu1Zhe Wang2Xiaohua Hou3Chaoqun Han4Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, ChinaCorresponding author.; Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, ChinaCorresponding author.; Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, ChinaFucosylation is a post-translational modification that attaches fucose to glycoproteins or glycolipids, thereby influencing their biological functions. Consequently, fucosylation proves indispensable for many biological processes, such as ligand–receptor interaction, cell adhesion, and signal transduction, holding critical clinical significance in the genesis and development of diseases. Recent studies further unveiled the clinical significance and molecular mechanism underlying the pathogenetic role of aberrant fucosylation. Herein, we summarize the effects of fucosylation in digestive system inflammatory diseases and cancers, primarily concentrating on the intestine, stomach, liver, and pancreas, from the aspects of the genetic risks of fucosyltransferase mutation, the roles of aberrant fucosylated glycans as diagnostic biomarkers, and the molecular mechanisms of fucosylation-related gene-induced disorders. Finally, we discuss therapeutic strategies targeting fucosylation by fucose or fucosylation inhibitors. We aim to elaborate on the current understanding and provide novel insights into the role of fucosylation in digestive diseases, hoping to facilitate future studies and resolve clinical issues.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352304225000595CancerDigestive systemFucosylationFucosyltransferasesInflammation
spellingShingle Caihan Duan
Junhao Wu
Zhe Wang
Xiaohua Hou
Chaoqun Han
Fucosylation in digestive inflammatory diseases and cancers: From mechanical studies to clinical translation
Genes and Diseases
Cancer
Digestive system
Fucosylation
Fucosyltransferases
Inflammation
title Fucosylation in digestive inflammatory diseases and cancers: From mechanical studies to clinical translation
title_full Fucosylation in digestive inflammatory diseases and cancers: From mechanical studies to clinical translation
title_fullStr Fucosylation in digestive inflammatory diseases and cancers: From mechanical studies to clinical translation
title_full_unstemmed Fucosylation in digestive inflammatory diseases and cancers: From mechanical studies to clinical translation
title_short Fucosylation in digestive inflammatory diseases and cancers: From mechanical studies to clinical translation
title_sort fucosylation in digestive inflammatory diseases and cancers from mechanical studies to clinical translation
topic Cancer
Digestive system
Fucosylation
Fucosyltransferases
Inflammation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352304225000595
work_keys_str_mv AT caihanduan fucosylationindigestiveinflammatorydiseasesandcancersfrommechanicalstudiestoclinicaltranslation
AT junhaowu fucosylationindigestiveinflammatorydiseasesandcancersfrommechanicalstudiestoclinicaltranslation
AT zhewang fucosylationindigestiveinflammatorydiseasesandcancersfrommechanicalstudiestoclinicaltranslation
AT xiaohuahou fucosylationindigestiveinflammatorydiseasesandcancersfrommechanicalstudiestoclinicaltranslation
AT chaoqunhan fucosylationindigestiveinflammatorydiseasesandcancersfrommechanicalstudiestoclinicaltranslation