Characterisation of alpha3beta1 and alpha(v)beta3 integrin N-oligosaccharides in metastatic melanoma WM9 and WM239 cell lines

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2008 Dec;1780(12):1421-31. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2008.07.011. Epub 2008 Jul 29.

Abstract

It is well documented that glycan synthesis is altered in some pathological processes, including cancer. The most frequently observed alterations during tumourigenesis are extensive expression of beta1,6-branched complex type N-glycans, the presence of poly-N-acetyllactosamine structures, and high sialylation of cell surface glycoproteins. This study investigated two integrins, alpha3beta1 and alpha(v)beta3, whose expression is closely related to cancer progression. Their oligosaccharide structures in two metastatic melanoma cell lines (WM9, WM239) were analysed with the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry. Both examined integrins possessed heavily sialylated and fucosylated glycans, with beta1,6-branches and short polylactosamine chains. In WM9 cells, alpha3beta1 integrin was more variously glycosylated than alpha(v)beta3; in WM239 cells the situation was the reverse. Functional studies (wound healing and ELISA integrin binding assays) revealed that the N-oligosaccharide component of the tested integrins influenced melanoma cell migration on vitronectin and alpha3beta1 integrin binding to laminin-5. Additionally, more variously glycosylated integrins exerted a stronger influence on these parameters. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report concerning structural characterisation of alpha(v)beta3 integrin glycans in melanoma or in any cancer cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Glycosylation
  • Humans
  • Integrin alpha3beta1 / chemistry*
  • Integrin alpha3beta1 / isolation & purification
  • Integrin alpha3beta1 / metabolism
  • Integrin alphaVbeta3 / chemistry*
  • Integrin alphaVbeta3 / isolation & purification
  • Integrin alphaVbeta3 / metabolism
  • Kalinin
  • Lectins / metabolism
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Melanoma / metabolism*
  • Melanoma / secondary
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Oligosaccharides / chemistry*
  • Oligosaccharides / isolation & purification
  • Oligosaccharides / metabolism
  • Protein Subunits / chemistry
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism
  • Skin Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Skin Neoplasms / secondary
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  • Vitronectin / metabolism

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Integrin alpha3beta1
  • Integrin alphaVbeta3
  • Lectins
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Protein Subunits
  • Vitronectin