Alterations in glycosyltransferase activity in human colon cancer.

Glycosyltransferase enzymes were measured in homogenates of normal and neoplastic colon epithelium. The levels for exogenous galactosyltransferase and fucosyltransferase and endogenous N-acetylglucosaminyl-transferase were higher in the normal tissue. The levels for exogenous and endogenous sialyltransferase and endogenous galactosyltransferase and fucosyltransferase were comparable in the homogenates of normal and cancer cells. Incorporation of fucose and galactose into purified carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), used as an exogenous acceptor by colon glycosyltransferases, was demonstrated by immunoprecipitation with rabbit antiserum to human CEA. The normal fucosyltransferase and galactosyltransferase showed higher activity with CEA than did the tumor enzymes.