Glucosaminyl (N-acetyl) transferase 4 (GCNT4)

Glucosaminyl (N-acetyl) transferase 4 (GCNT4) is an enzyme that catalyzes the branching of core 2 O-glycans by transferring GlcNAc from UDP-GlcNAc to the core 1 structure in mucin-type glycoproteins. This function is crucial for proper glycoprotein structure and influences cell–cell interactions, signaling, and tumor suppression. GCNT4 does not have core 4 O-glycan or I-branching enzyme activity. Downregulation or deletion of GCNT4 is associated with increased proliferation and poor prognosis in gastric cancer and other malignancies, indicating its role as a tumor suppressor and biomarker.

Other names

Beta-1,3-galactosyl-O-glycosyl-glycoprotein beta-1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 4C2GNT3Core 2-branching enzyme 3Core 2 beta-1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 3core2-GlcNAc-transferase 3LINC01336 (historical, noncoding RNA misannotation)Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 1336

For a potential inhibitor or activator, mechanisms would include modulation of glycosylation and subsequent effects on cell proliferation and tumor progression. Tumor-suppressive effects may depend on restoring or enhancing GCNT4 expression/function.