Terminal α2,6-sialylation of epidermal growth factor receptor modulates antibody therapy response of colorectal cancer cells

Background The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a key protein involved in cancer development. Monoclonal antibodies targeting EGFR are approved for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite the beneficial clinical effects observed in subgroups of patients, the acquisition of resistance to treatment remains a major concern. Protein N-glycosylation of cellular receptors is known to regulate physiological processes leading to activation of downstream signaling pathways. In the present study, the role of EGFR-specific terminal alpha 2,6-sialylation was analyzed in modulation of the malignant phenotype of CRC cells and their resistance to monoclonal antibody Cetuximab-based therapy. Methods Glycoengineered CRC cell models with specific sialyltransferase ST6GAL1 expression levels were applied to evaluate EGFR activation, cell surface glycosylation and therapeutic response to Cetuximab. Results Glycoproteomic analysis revealed EGFR as a major target of ST6Gal1-mediated alpha 2,6-sialylation in a glycosite-specific manner. Mechanistically, CRC cells with increased ST6Gal1 expression and displaying terminal alpha 2,6-sialylation showed a marked resistance to Cetuximab-induced cytotoxicity. Moreover, we found that this resistance was accompanied by downregulation of EGFR expression and its activation. Conclusions Our data indicate that EGFR alpha 2,6-sialylation is a key factor in modulating the susceptibility of CRC cells to antibody targeted therapy, thereby disclosing a potential novel biomarker and providing key molecular information for tailor made anti-cancer strategies.