Glycosyltransferase levels in familial polyposis coli

Glycosyltransferase levels have been reported to be decreased in the tumor mucosa of adenocarcinoma of the colon. The purpose of this study was to determine if similar changes are present in the polyp mucosa of patients with Familial Polyposis Coli (FPC). The levels of eight glycosyltransferases were determined by measuring transfer of a radiolabeled sugar from a nucleotide sugar donor to a glycoprotein acceptor. The levels of four of the enzymes were significantly different in the mucosa of tumors and the polyp mucosa of patients with FPC as compared to the colonic mucosa of persons without known neoplastic disease. The changes were specific for these four enzymes and occurred to the same degree in tumor mucosa and the polyp mucosa. These changes in glycosyltransferase levels are a marker of the malignant transformation of the cell and since they occur in the histologically benign cells of FPC may serve as a key to understanding the neoplastic process.