Asn-linked oligosaccharide processing and malignant potential.

There is now considerable evidence that malignant transformation is accompanied by many changes in the oligosaccharide structures of glycoproteins and glycolipids. More recently, studies using tumour cell glycosylation mutants and inhibitors of Asn-linked oligosaccharide processing have suggested that the transformation-associated increase in GlcNAc beta 1-6Man alpha 1-6 Man beta- branching of complex-type oligosaccharides may enhance tumour cell metastasis. The synthesis of beta 1-6 branched oligosaccharides and related structures as well as their possible function in cell-cell interactions and tumour cell metastasis are discussed.