sLeX
Sialyl Lewis X (sLe^x) is a membrane-associated tetrasaccharide carbohydrate antigen with the structure Neu5Ac α2-3 Gal β1-4(Fuc α1-3) GlcNAc-R. It is carried on glycoproteins and glycolipids, particularly on leukocytes and endothelial cells, where its expression is regulated during development and inflammation.
sLe^x functions as a ligand for selectins, notably E-selectin and P-selectin, mediating the initial steps of
Biosynthesis of sLe^x involves sequential glycosylation steps. First, a Lewis X motif (Gal β1-4 GlcNAc with Fuc
clinically, sLe^x is studied as a biomarker in inflammatory diseases and some cancers. Its presence on
Detection methods include specific antibodies and lectins, flow cytometry, and mass spectrometry, used to quantify or