Synthesis and release of glycoconjugates in vitro by human ovarian carcinoma cells isolated from effusions.

Human ovarian carcinoma cells were isolated as multicellular aggregates from patient effusions. Freshly isolated cells were incubated with radioactive glycoconjugate precursors and the glycoconjugates released to culture medium were analyzed. The glycoconjugates appeared to contain both O- and N-linked oligosaccharides. Both fucosylation and sialylation of glycoconjugates occurred. The results of SDS-PAGE analysis showed the presence of a very heterogeneous array of glycoconjugates with no discrete components resolved. The results of glycoconjugate analyses were independent of carcinoma histology, differentiation, progression, and patient chemotherapy. In contrast, mesothelial cells synthesized a major glycoconjugate of molecular mass 65 KDa. The heterogeneous array of carcinoma-derived glycoconjugates may be transformation-related and may have utility in tumor diagnosis and prognosis.