Vol13-1-e47

11/24

11AIST TODAY 2013-1life-liaison-ml@aist.go.jpFor inquiries about this article : Research Planning Office of Life Science and Blotechnologyhttp://unit.aist.go.jp/scrc/cie/index_en.htmlFor inquiries about this article : Research Center for Stem Cell EngineeringSchematic illustration of cell quality control by glycan profiling using lectin arrayJoint Researchers�Makoto Asashima, Hiroaki Tateno, Yuzuru Ito, Yasuko Onuma, and Katsuhisa Horimoto (AIST); Akihiro Umezawa and Hidenori Akutsu (National Center for Child Health and Development); and Masashi Toyoda (Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology)References[1] P. W. Andrews: Nat. Biotechnol., 29 (9), 803–805 (2011). [2] H. Tateno et al.: J. Biol. Chem., 286 (23), 20345–20353 (2011).Research resultPrecise evaluation of iPS cells with rapid glycan profiling technique announced on, June 22, 2011. (in Japanese)This research and development project has been carried out with the support of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).Rapid diagnosis of appropriate cells using glycan profilingSchematic illustration of array-based diagnosisLectin arrayEvanescent scannerStem cellsGlycoproteinLectinGlass substrateExcitation zoneGlycans and Stem CellsBackgroundOften referred to as the “signature of a cell,” glycans vividly represent a cell’s characteristics. However, analysis of glycans requires the skills of professionals as the structure of glycans is very complicated and they exist in diverse forms. An advanced glycan analysis technique called “glycan profiling” was recently developed, which has allowed researchers to actively conduct applied research. One such research theme attracting attention is glycan markers. Glycans are the basis of many widely known cancer markers, including AFP-L3 (for liver cell cancer) and CA19-9 (for digestive system cancer), as well as SSEA-3/4 and Tra1-60/81, which are undifferentiated markers for ES cells, iPS cells, etc.[1]Evaluation and diagnosis of cells using comparative glycan profilingThis technique uses a lectin array, a glass plate on which a series of glycan binding proteins (lectins) that recognize and specifically bind the glycan structure are placed. Since the glycan structure reflects not only the type of cell but also the difference in differentiation stage of cells, the glycan profile differs for each cell. Using this principle, we can find glycan markers for ES cells and iPS cells that reflect the undifferentiated state. In fact, we found a new lectin, rBC2LCN, which recognizes a glycan structure that is never expressed in somatic cells but is commonly expressed in undifferentiated cells such as ES cells and iPS cells. We further found that H type 1/3 (Fuc α 1-2Gal β 1-3GlcNAc/GalNAc) is the very structure bound by that lectin.[2]Future development: Stem cell diagnosis by lectinsThe figure shows a schematic illustration of quality control of stem cells (cell diagnosis) using the lectin array.Antibodies are conventionally used in marker detection, but our newly found lectin rBC2LCN can be produced in E. coli, which allows us to conduct research at lower cost. For example, this technique may be applied to differentiation monitoring of ES cells and iPS cells during culture and even removal of undifferentiated cells likely to cause cancer in addition to detection of ES cells and iPS cells. It can also be applied to mesenchymal stem cells, whose early practical application to regenerative medicine is expected. Prime Senior ResearcherResearch Center for Stem Cell EngineeringJun HIRABAYASHI

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