Synthesis and release of glycoconjugates bearing N-linked oligosaccharides by ovarian carcinoma cells isolated from effusions.

Ovarian carcinoma cell clusters were isolated from patient effusions. The cell isolates were incubated in vitro with radioactive glycoconjugate precursors. Radiolabelled glycoconjugates released to culture media were analyzed for molecular mass heterogeneity and lectin binding activity. From 10 to 50% of the released glycoconjugates were present as a heterogeneous array of glycoconjugates of molecular mass greater than 250 kilodaltons. The remaining glycoconjugates were dispersed in a molecular mass range extending down to approximately 15 kilodaltons. Concanavalin A-Sepharose affinity chromatography revealed the presence of N-linked oligosaccharides. Interaction of glycoconjugates with lentil and pea lectins indicated the presence of L-fucose residues linked to asparagine-bound N-acetylglucosamine. Precipitation of glycoconjugates with ricinus communis agglutinin I showed the presence of nonreducing terminal N-acetyllactosamine residues. Collectively, the data indicate that ovarian carcinoma cells release to culture medium fucosylated glycoconjugates bearing complex-type oligosaccharides. The synthesis and release of these glycoconjugates showed no significant differences among different histologic types of ovarian carcinoma; however, modulation as a function of tumor progression may occur.