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Glycosyltransferases, glycosylation and atherosclerosis

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Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases arising from atherosclerosis are currently the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Leukocyte recruitment is a key step for the successful initiation of atherosclerosis and occurs predominantly in the inflamed endothelium. Leukocyte recruitment is mediated by a group of adhesive molecules and chemokine receptors, which are often glycosylated protein. Recent studies demonstrated that post-translational glycosylation by glycosyltransferases is necessary for adhesive molecules and chemokine receptors activities. Several glycosyltransferases, such as α2,3-sialyltransferases IV, α1,3-fucosyltransferases IV and VII, core 2 β1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-I, are considered to participate in the synthesis of glycosylation for adhesive molecules and chemokine receptors, and the initiation of atherosclerotic lesions. In this review, we will discuss new data concerning the roles of different glycosyltransferases in atherogenesis. The knowledge of glycosyltransferases in atherogenesis offers the opportunity to develop novel therapeutic strategies.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (Project no. 81370403) and Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education (No.20125503110008).

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The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

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  1. Institute of Life Science, Chongqing Medical University, Box 174#, No. 1 Yixueyuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, People’s Republic of China

    Qianghong Pu & Chao Yu

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Pu, Q., Yu, C. Glycosyltransferases, glycosylation and atherosclerosis. Glycoconj J 31, 605–611 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10719-014-9560-8

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