Ras oncogene directs expression of a differentially sialylated, functionally altered beta1 integrin.

Intense investigation has centered on understanding the regulation of integrin cell adhesion receptors. In the present study, we propose that variant N-glycosylation represents an important mechanism for regulation of beta1, but not beta3 or beta5 integrins. We find that expression of oncogenic ras in HD3 colonocytes causes increased alpha2-6 sialylation of beta1 integrins, whereas expression of dominant-negative ras induces decreased alpha2-6 sialylation, relative to cells with wild-type ras.