Yang Liu, PhD | Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Xiaotong Zhao, PhD; Qin Wang, PhD
Competition Sponsor: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
Awardee Year: 2025
As the body ages, glycosylation modifications on cell surfaces undergo changes. These alterations in glycosylation are closely associated with the onset and progression of various diseases and often precede changes at the protein level. Therefore, glycosylation modifications can serve as sensitive markers for the early diagnosis of numerous degenerative diseases and tumors. In our previous research, we found that the spike protein VP8* of rotavirus can specifically recognize and bind to oligosaccharides as receptors. Moreover, the capsid spike proteins of different genotypic sequences can specifically recognize different types of glycan antigens. Based on this, in the current project, we aim to utilize the specific binding characteristic of rotavirus capsid spike protein to oligosaccharides on tissue cell surfaces. By using P-particles formed by the highly self-assembling P domain of norovirus, we will construct and express in vitro protein systems that can specifically recognize various glycan antigens. Through random mutagenesis of the VP8* protein sequence, we will screen and develop highly sensitive, highly specific, and easy-to-operate in vitro glycosylation modification detection methods capable of recognizing various glycan antigens related to tumors and age-related degenerative diseases on the surface of tissue cells. This research will provide a foundation for understanding the pathological processes of aging-related diseases and for detecting disease-associated glycosylation modifications. It will also further promote basic research and clinical application of glycosylation detection in the diagnosis of degenerative diseases, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of early disease diagnosis.