of homotypic
interaction is cell adhesion based on Lex-to-Lex interaction, observed
in autoaggregation of
embryonic stem cells D3M, or embryonal carcinoma cells F9, in the presence of Ca2+.
Occurrence of such cell adhesion was further confirmed using D3M or F9 cells whose
E-cadherin gene was knocked out. These cells still displayed strong Lex-dependent
autoaggregation and adhesion to Lex GSL-coated plates. which were eliminated by siRNA of
fucosyltransferase-9, involved in Lex synthesis. Lex-to-Lex interaction has been
extensively studied and confirmed by various biophysical procedures, including atomic force
microscopy, aggregation of gold glyconanoparticles with Lex, and adhesion energy
change based on contact angle (Δ;θc) of two Lex vesicles.
Heterotypic carbohydrate-to-carbohydrate interactions were found between GM3 and Gg3,
mediating adhesion of melanoma cells to lymphoma cells; and between GM3 and
LacCer, mediating binding of melanoma cells to microvascular endothelial cells, i.e.,
cancer metastatic process. Gold lactosyl nanoparticles were found to inhibit melanoma
cell metastasis in vivo. Interaction of GalCer with sulfatide (3-O-sulfated GalCer),
previously observed on various biophysical bases, was found to mediate adhesion of
interfacing membranes of oligodendrocytes. Adhesion based on both homotypic and
heterotypic carbohydrate interaction induces activation of signal transducers at cytoplasmic
site, to alter cellular phenotype.
Hakomori Page 13
FEBS Lett. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 May 3.
NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript
2. Structure and function of carbohydrate-binding proteins expressed at cell surface membrane
involved in cell-cell adhesion, or interaction of cell with its microenvironment, are well
established by many studies. Three major classes of carbohydrate-binding proteins are: (i)
Selectins (E-, P-, and L- types) having different structures and functions, and recognizing
different glycosyl epitopes containing LacNAc backbone with fucosyl, sialosyl, or sulfate
residue. Selectins play a major role in inflammatory processes and cancer progression,
particularly metastasis (for review see. (ii) Sialic acid-binding lectins, abbreviated as
“siglecs”, expressed at lymphocytes and myelocytes. Their function is to maintain the internal
microenvironment (for review see. (iii) Galectins, comprising a huge number of
variants, that recognize galactose or galactosamine. Their functions are varied, and many are
still unclear (for review see
GSLs in glycosynapse, involved in cell-cell adhesion.
When glycosynapse of one cell (“a”) contacts glycosynapse of another cell (“b”), cell adhesion
occurs by two mechanisms: (1) GSL-to-GSL interaction, which induces activation of signal
transducer (STD), leading to change of cellular phenotype. In this process, proteolipid protein
(PLP) [18,35] may stabilize conformation of GSL. (2) GSL binds to GSL-binding protein,
which induces activation of STD, leading to change of cellular phenotype. Each process is
further explained below.