Two fucosyltransferases (FUT4 and 7) responsible for CD15 and CD15s synthesis were modulated in four human cancer cell lines (three lung cancer and one glioma).
The amount of sialyl Lewis x antigen on mucins in the lung cancer tissues was found to be determined by both enzymes, the Lewis enzyme (Fuc-TIII) and Fuc-TVI.
alpha-2,3-Sialyltransferase type 3N and alpha-1,3-fucosyltransferase type VII are related to sialyl Lewis(x) synthesis and patient survival from lung carcinoma.
These results suggest that Fuc-TIV and Fuc-TVII expression may be of prognostic value among patients with lung cancer by participating in the biosynthesis of sialyl Lewis x.