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Surface sialic acid reduces attachment of metastatic tumour cells to collagen type IV and fibronectin

Abstract

Attachment of cells to substrate containing fibronectin, laminin and collagens has been shown to influence cell proliferation1, differentiation2,3 and migration4, aspects of cellular behaviour known to be altered by malignant transformation. Recent studies on mutant cell lines displaying altered attachment to substrate and changes in cell-surface carbohydrate composition have provided evidence for the involvement of glycoconjugates in cell attachment5–7. Using this approach, we have now found that a non-metastatic wheat germ agglutinin-resistant (WGAR) mutant of the highly metastatic murine tumour MD AY-D2 has a three- to fourfold reduction in neuraminidase-accessible cell-surface sialic acid which seems to allow enhanced attachment to basement membrane collagen type IV and fibronectin, but not to laminin. Furthermore, neuraminidase treatment of the WGA-sensitive metastatic tumour cells enhanced their attachment to collagen type IV and fibronectin, but not to laminin. Neuraminidase treatment had no effect on attachment of the WGAR mutant cells to any of the substrates.

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Dennis, J., Waller, C., Timpl, R. et al. Surface sialic acid reduces attachment of metastatic tumour cells to collagen type IV and fibronectin. Nature 300, 274–276 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1038/300274a0

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