Glycobiology is the study of role
of carbohydrate containing molecules in the body. Sugar
chains offer themselves as the key for understanding
the functions of proteins, whose forms and functions
largely determine all the life processes. Since the
human genome has essentially been sequenced, the focus
of scientific attention has moved to elucidate the structure
and functions of the proteins encoded by the genes.
The human genome contains the codes for 90,000 to 100,000
different kinds of proteins and scientists are using
the information from the genome sequencing effort to
learn more about them. They are working to shed light
on the activity of proteins of unknown function, and
searching for proteins that might lead to the development
of drugs for the treatment of intraceable diseases.
But the activity of almost half of all proteins in the
body is affected by the sugar chains attached to them.
Thus, any understanding of the activity of proteins
depends in part on an understanding of glycobiology.
The sugar chains appear to play a controlling role in
the proper functioning of many proteins. One of the
important manifestations of these sugar chains is Duchenne
muscular dystrophy, a disease that is characterized
by the weakening and wasting away of muscle tissue.
Recently, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
has found that only one wrong sugar chain can prevent
proper functioning of the muscles and nerves. In their
joint effort with Osaka University, they discovered
one of the genes responsible for molecular dystrophy.
This particular gene codes for a certain enzyme that
has the job of attaching sugar chains to membrane-bound
proteins of the cells that comprise muscle tissue. When
the gene is defective the sugar chains do not attach
to the proteins and the muscles do not form properly.
Another research group of Osaka University has demonstrated
experimentally that changes in sugar chains can control
the metastasis of cancer. When the gene for certain
enzyme is inserted in mice, the incidence of cancer
metastasis declines by more than 90% in these mice.
The group postulates that the enzyme changes the structure
of the sugar chain bound to a protein that the cells
use for mutual recognition. The change makes it more
difficult for the cancer cells to migrate to different
parts of the body.
Research in the field of glycobiology is picking up
fast in Japan. Sugar chains affect the activity of around
half of the proteins in the body and these are related
to the onset and severity of disease. Japanese researchers
have already applied for patenting of 20% of the estimated
300 different essential enzymes active in the attachment
of sugar chains to proteins. An indication of Japanese
push in this direction can be obtained from the number
of new research establishments and the amount of money
being earmarked for this area. A glyco-engineering research
facility is being built at Tokai University while Hokkaido
University is establishing a glyobiology research institute.
AIST is about to complete its work on building an institute
for research on genetic engineering of sugar chains.
In addition, METI will spend $ 2.0 million over the
three years to support a search for genes of sugar chains
related to cancer and immunity. The private sector is
not behind. Kyowa Hakko Kogyo and Takara are bolstering
their research efforts in the field of glycobiology.
Similarly in USA, the National Institute of Health plans
to spend a sum of about $ 2 million over five years
to support research in the field.
Contact for more information
Science & Technology
Wing Embassy of India
2-2-11, Kudan Minami, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 102-0074, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3262-2391 to 97,
Fax: +81-3-3234-4866
E-mail:tandonus@hotmail.com
