B4GALNT1

Description

B4GALNT1, or Beta-1,4-N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 1, is a gene encoding an enzyme crucial for glycosylation, a process that attaches sugar molecules to proteins and lipids. This modification is vital for various biological functions, including cell-cell interactions, protein folding, and immune responses. B4GALNT1 specifically adds N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) to proteins, initiating the formation of O-glycans. Dysregulation of B4GALNT1 expression or activity has been implicated in various diseases, highlighting its importance in health and disease.

Associated Diseases

• Cancer (e.g., breast cancer, colorectal cancer)
• Neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer‘s disease, Parkinson‘s disease)
• Inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
• Cardiovascular diseases (e.g., atherosclerosis)

Did you know?

B4GALNT1 has been shown to be involved in the formation of the Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (TF antigen), a tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen that can be targeted for cancer therapy.