July 2008

• Tumor vaccination: C-lectin a new receptor

  CD8⁺ dendritic cells are characterized by a novel C-lectin receptor termed DNGR-1, which is a promising candidate for tumor vaccination because of its endocytic behavior.

  Functional Glycomics Gateway (2008)
  doi:10.1038/fg.2008.32

• Muscular dystrophy: Dystroglycan's unique features

  An 18-meric -dystroglycan sequence has been proposed as the preferred sequence for O-mannosylation, and new research shows that sequences upstream of O-mannosylation sites may also guide the mannosyltransferase complex.

  Functional Glycomics Gateway (2008)
  doi:10.1038/fg.2008.33

• Tumor glycosylation: Sialic acid self-protection

  Cancer cells may protect themselves against apoptosis by secreted galectin-3 by a concomitant increase in 2,6-sialylation.

  Functional Glycomics Gateway (2008)
  doi:10.1038/fg.2008.34