[The plasma membrane glycoconjugates of normal and transformed cells (author's transl)]

Abstract

After having reviewed the importance of glycoconjugates in the organisation of the cell membrane and the multiple roles played by these membrane constituants, the disorders characteristics of malignant transformation are described : First, the changes affecting cellular properties (diminution of cellular adhesivity, abolition of the control of cell growth, disturbance of membrane permeability...) and second, the modifications concerning the glycoconjugates of the cell surface in the course of malignant transformation : alterations affecting membrane glycolipids and glycoproteins. It appears that certain modifications of glycannic structures of membrane glycoproteins, for whatever cell type and transforming agent, seem at the moment to constitute the only abnormality permanently associated with the tumorigenicity of malignant cells.