B4GALNT2 Controls Sd(a) and SLe(x) Antigen Biosynthesis in Healthy and Cancer Human Colon

The Sd(a) carbohydrate antigen and the corresponding biosynthetic enzyme B4GALNT2 are primarily expressed in human normal colonic mucosa and are down‐regulated to variable degrees in colon cancer. On the other hand, the tumor associated antigen SLe(x) is not detected in the healthy colon and is upregulated in colon cancer. High level of B4GALNT2 gene expression appears to be a good marker of prognosis in colon cancer; however, the molecular mechanisms regulating these carbohydrate antigens’ expression are still poorly understood. We review here the most recent progress made towards understanding this balanced expression of blood group carbohydrate epitopes Sd(a) and SLe(x). In particular in recent years, we have attained a better understanding of genetic and epigenetic regulation of the B4GALNT2 gene and of the subcellular fate of B4GALNT2 isoforms.