The Role of Non-Human Sialic Acid Neu5Gc-Containing Glycoconjugates in Human Tumors: A Review of Clinical and Experimental Evidence
N-Glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) is a sialic acid variant commonly found in most mammals but not synthesized by humans due to an inactivating mutation in the CMP-Neu5Ac hydroxylase (<i>CMAH</i>) gene. Despite this, Neu5Gc-containing molecules are consistently detected in human tissues,...
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2025-02-01
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| author | Rancés Blanco Juan P. Muñoz |
| author_facet | Rancés Blanco Juan P. Muñoz |
| author_sort | Rancés Blanco |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | N-Glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) is a sialic acid variant commonly found in most mammals but not synthesized by humans due to an inactivating mutation in the CMP-Neu5Ac hydroxylase (<i>CMAH</i>) gene. Despite this, Neu5Gc-containing molecules are consistently detected in human tissues, particularly in malignant tumors. However, the mechanisms underlying Neu5Gc accumulation and its role in cancer development remain poorly understood. Objectives: This review aims to analyze clinical and experimental evidence regarding the presence of Neu5Gc-containing glycoconjugates in both tumor and non-tumor human tissues, exploring potential mechanisms of the Neu5Gc expression and evaluating its contribution to tumor biology, with a particular focus on the Neu5Gc-GM3 ganglioside. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted, integrating findings from immunohistochemistry, chromatography, and molecular studies to assess the expression and implications of Neu5Gc in cancer biology. Results: Neu5Gc-containing glycoconjugates were found to preferentially accumulate in various malignant tumors, while their presence in normal tissues was restricted to cells with high turnover rates. This accumulation is potentially mediated by dietary uptake, hypoxic conditions, and metabolic alterations in cancer cells. Additionally, Neu5Gc-containing molecules were associated with the activation of oncogenic pathways. Conclusion: Neu5Gc-containing glycoconjugates play a multifaceted role in cancer progression and present potential as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e3e56a7fff0944aea4e81ee0c239e931 |
| institution | DOAJ |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-e3e56a7fff0944aea4e81ee0c239e9312025-08-20T02:44:31ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2025-02-0115225310.3390/biom15020253The Role of Non-Human Sialic Acid Neu5Gc-Containing Glycoconjugates in Human Tumors: A Review of Clinical and Experimental EvidenceRancés Blanco0Juan P. Muñoz1Investigador Independiente, Av. Vicuña Mackenna Poniente 6315, La Florida 8240000, ChileLaboratorio de Bioquímica, Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica 1000007, ChileN-Glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) is a sialic acid variant commonly found in most mammals but not synthesized by humans due to an inactivating mutation in the CMP-Neu5Ac hydroxylase (<i>CMAH</i>) gene. Despite this, Neu5Gc-containing molecules are consistently detected in human tissues, particularly in malignant tumors. However, the mechanisms underlying Neu5Gc accumulation and its role in cancer development remain poorly understood. Objectives: This review aims to analyze clinical and experimental evidence regarding the presence of Neu5Gc-containing glycoconjugates in both tumor and non-tumor human tissues, exploring potential mechanisms of the Neu5Gc expression and evaluating its contribution to tumor biology, with a particular focus on the Neu5Gc-GM3 ganglioside. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted, integrating findings from immunohistochemistry, chromatography, and molecular studies to assess the expression and implications of Neu5Gc in cancer biology. Results: Neu5Gc-containing glycoconjugates were found to preferentially accumulate in various malignant tumors, while their presence in normal tissues was restricted to cells with high turnover rates. This accumulation is potentially mediated by dietary uptake, hypoxic conditions, and metabolic alterations in cancer cells. Additionally, Neu5Gc-containing molecules were associated with the activation of oncogenic pathways. Conclusion: Neu5Gc-containing glycoconjugates play a multifaceted role in cancer progression and present potential as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/2/253N-glycolylneuraminic acidNeu5GcNeu5Gc-GM3 gangliosidesialic acidcancer |
| spellingShingle | Rancés Blanco Juan P. Muñoz The Role of Non-Human Sialic Acid Neu5Gc-Containing Glycoconjugates in Human Tumors: A Review of Clinical and Experimental Evidence Biomolecules N-glycolylneuraminic acid Neu5Gc Neu5Gc-GM3 ganglioside sialic acid cancer |
| title | The Role of Non-Human Sialic Acid Neu5Gc-Containing Glycoconjugates in Human Tumors: A Review of Clinical and Experimental Evidence |
| title_full | The Role of Non-Human Sialic Acid Neu5Gc-Containing Glycoconjugates in Human Tumors: A Review of Clinical and Experimental Evidence |
| title_fullStr | The Role of Non-Human Sialic Acid Neu5Gc-Containing Glycoconjugates in Human Tumors: A Review of Clinical and Experimental Evidence |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Role of Non-Human Sialic Acid Neu5Gc-Containing Glycoconjugates in Human Tumors: A Review of Clinical and Experimental Evidence |
| title_short | The Role of Non-Human Sialic Acid Neu5Gc-Containing Glycoconjugates in Human Tumors: A Review of Clinical and Experimental Evidence |
| title_sort | role of non human sialic acid neu5gc containing glycoconjugates in human tumors a review of clinical and experimental evidence |
| topic | N-glycolylneuraminic acid Neu5Gc Neu5Gc-GM3 ganglioside sialic acid cancer |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/2/253 |
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