Polysialylation promotes neural cell adhesion molecule-mediated cell migration in a fibroblast growth factor receptor-dependent manner, but independent of adhesion capability.

Polysialic acid (PSA), a carbohydrate polymer mainly present in the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), promotes neural plasticity; however, its mode of action in tumor malignancy remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the influence of polysialylation on cell migration. PSA consistently promoted cell migration on different extracellular matrices (ECMs) but differentially affected cell adhesion.