O-GlcNAc and Signal Transduction in Cancer

Protein O-GlcNAcylation is of essential importance as an integrator of signal transduction networks involved in almost all cellular processes. Aberrant protein O-GlcNAcylation underlies the initiation and progression of multiple human diseases, such as cancer. Herein, we summarized our current understanding of protein O-GlcNAcylation and signal transduction pathway in cancer. In brief, we discuss O-GlcNAcylated proteins in some canonical oncogenic pathways (including RTK-RAS/MAP-Kinase, PI-3-Kinase/Akt/mTOR, Hippo, TGF-β signaling, Wnt/β-catenin, and others). Despite the great progress, the mechanism and functional significance of O-GlcNAcylation (especially in a site-specific manner) in cancer have not been fully revealed. A better elucidation of functional mechanisms of O-GlcNAcylated proteins in signal transduction pathways will facilitate the development of effective therapeutics.