Regulation of Signal Transduction by Glycosylation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Cancer Cells

ABSTRACT Glycosylation is involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases and also plays an important role in the acquisition of malignant properties by cancers. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) promotes the malignant properties of various cancers, and its activity is enhanced by its overexpression or gene mutations. EGFR is modified by glycosylation, which regulates its activity and the affinity of EGF–EGFR binding. In this review, we introduce the effects of glycans attached to EGFR on the acquisition of malignant properties by cancer cells, including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.