FX enzyme and GDP-L-Fuc transporter expression in colorectal cancer

• Published in: Histopathology 2013-08, Vol.63 (2), p.174-186
• Main Authors: Villar-Portela, Susana, Muinelo-Romay, Laura, Cuevas, Elisa, Gil-Martín, Emilio, Fernández-Briera, Almudena
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 6)fucosylation; Aged; Carbohydrate Epimerases - metabolism; colorectal cancer; Colorectal Neoplasms - metabolism; Colorectal Neoplasms - pathology; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Fucosyltransferases - metabolism; GDP-Fuc Tr; Glycosylation; Golgi Apparatus - metabolism; Guanosine Diphosphate Fucose - metabolism; Humans; Hydro-Lyases - metabolism; Immunohistochemistry; Ketone Oxidoreductases - metabolism; Male; Monosaccharide Transport Proteins - metabolism; Prognosis; α(1,6)fucosylation
• ISSN: 0309-0167; 1365-2559
• DOI: 10.1111/his.12157

Aims Fucosylation is regulated by fucosyltransferases, the guanosine diphosphate‐L‐fucose (GDP‐L‐Fuc) synthetic pathway, and the GDP‐L‐fucose transporter (GDP‐L‐Fuc Tr). We have reported previously an increased level of α(1,6)fucosyltransferase activity and expression in colorectal cancer (CRC). The present study aimed to analyse the expression profiles of the FX enzyme and GDP‐L‐Fuc Tr in a cohort of operated CRC patients to elucidate their role in α(1,6)fucosylation in this neoplasm. Methods and results We assessed the immunohistochemical expression of FX and GDP‐L‐Fuc Tr in a series of tumour samples and healthy tissues from CRC specimens. FX expression was observed in 58 of 91 (63.7%) tumours and 23 of 28 (82.1%) corresponding healthy samples. GDP‐L‐Fuc Tr expression was detected in 86 of 102 (84.3%) colorectal tumours, and 13 of 27 (48.1%) healthy tissue specimens. The expression of GDP‐L‐Fuc Tr was statistically higher in tumours than in healthy tissues (P