Fucosylation
Fucosylation is the process of adding fucose sugar units to a molecule. It is a type of glycosylation.[1]
It is important clinically,[2][3] and high levels of fucosylation have been reported in cancer.[4][5] In cancer and inflammation there are significant changes in the expression of fucosylated molecules. Therefore, antibodies and lectins that are able to recognize cancer associated fucosylated oligosaccharides have been used as tumor markers in oncology.[6]
It is performed by fucosyltransferase enzymes.[1]
Fucosylation has been observed in
Fucosylation can help with immune response when a foreign pathogen is introduced in the body. Rapid fucosylation can occur in the epithelial lining of the small intestine as a protective mechanism to support the body’s symbiotic gut bacteria. This may regulate the bacterial genes responsible for quorum sensing or virulence, thus resulting in an increased tolerance of the infection.[9]