Antiproliferative activity of glycosaminoglycan-like
polysaccharides derived from marine molluscs

Aldairi, AF; Ogundipe, OD; Pye, DA

Abstract

Despite the increasing availability of new classes of cancer treatment, such as immuneand
targeted therapies, there remains a need for the development of new antiproliferative/cytotoxic
drugs with improved pharmacological profiles that can also overcome drug resistant forms of cancer.
In this study, we have identified, and characterised, a novel marine polysaccharide with the potential
to be developed as an anticancer agent. Sulphated polysaccharides isolated from the common cockle
(Cerastoderma edule) were shown to have antiproliferative activity on chronic myelogenous leukaemia
and relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cell lines. Disaccharide and monosaccharide analysis of
these marine polysaccharides confirmed the presence of glycosaminoglycan-like structures that were
enriched in ion-exchange purified fractions containing antiproliferative activity. The antiproliferative
activity of these glycosaminoglycan-like marine polysaccharides was shown to be susceptible to
heparinase but not chondrotinase ABC digestion. This pattern of enzymatic and antiproliferative
activity has not previously been seen, with either marine or mammalian glycosaminoglycans. As such,
our findings suggest we have identified a new type of marine derived heparan sulphate/heparin-like
polysaccharide with potent anticancer properties.

Citation

polysaccharides derived from marine molluscs. Marine Drugs, 16(2), 63. https://doi.org/10.3390/md16020063

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 12, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Feb 15, 2018
• Publication Date: Feb 15, 2018
• Deposit Date: Mar 13, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 13, 2018
• Journal: Marine Drugs
• Publisher: MDPI
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 63
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/md16020063
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/md16020063
• Related Public URLs: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/marinedrugs