Loss of GCNT2/I-branched glycans enhances melanoma growth and survival

Aberrant glycosylation patterns on cancer cells promote several pro-tumorigenic functions, including enhancing tumor cell proliferation. Here the authors provide data that show melanoma cells downregulate GCNT2 with consequent loss of I-branched glycans; this leads to the formation of extended i-linear glycans and enhances melanoma growth via increases, in part, by IGF-1- and extracellular matrix-induced signaling.