Mass spectrometry technique uncovers an elusive sugar modification in stem cells
Wednesday, March 12, 2014 - 08:31
in Health & Medicine
Recently, O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc), a sugar ring that reversibly modifies proteins inside the cell nucleus and cytoplasm in a process known as O-GlcNAcylation, has been revealed to be a key regulator of cell signaling in the body. Researchers believe that cellular changes induced by O-GlcNAc may be linked to chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cancer. Characterizing such dynamic relationships, however, is challenging.