Positions

Selected Publications

Academic Article

Year Title Altmetric
2022 α2,6 Sialylation mediated by ST6GAL1 promotes glioblastoma growthJCI Insight.  7. 2022
2022 ST6Gal1: Oncogenic signaling pathways and targetsFrontiers in Molecular Biosciences.  9. 2022
2022 The incorrect use of CD75 as a synonym for ST6GAL1 has fostered the expansion of commercial "ST6GAL1" antibodies that do not recognize ST6GAL1Glycobiology.  32:736-742. 2022
2022 Hypersialylation of Tumor Cells Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Progression 2022
2022 ST6Gal1 Contributes to Pancreatic Cancer Initiation by Promoting Pancreatitis-Induced Acinar to Ductal Metaplasia 2022
2022 The sialyltransferase ST6Gal1 is upregulated in a cytokine-mediated manner during pancreatitis 2022
2022 ST6Gal-I-mediated sialylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor modulates cell mechanics and enhances invasionJournal of Biological Chemistry.  298. 2022
2022 Sialyltransferase ST6GAL-1 mediates resistance to chemoradiation in rectal cancerJournal of Biological Chemistry.  298. 2022
2021 Regulation of ST6GAL1 sialyltransferase expression in cancer cellsGlycobiology.  31:530-539. 2021
2021 Glycosyltransferase ST6Gal-I promotes the epithelial to mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer cellsJournal of Biological Chemistry.  296. 2021
2020 Glycosyltransferase ST6Gal-I promotes the epithelial to mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer cells.Journal of Biological Chemistry.  296:100034. 2020
2020 Regulation of inflammatory signaling by the ST6Gal-I sialyltransferasePLoS One.  15. 2020
2020 Modulation of glycosyltransferase ST6Gal-I in gastric cancer-derived organoids disrupts homeostatic epithelial cell turnoverJournal of Biological Chemistry.  295:14153-14163. 2020
2019 Sustained delivery of the angiogenic QK peptide through the use of polyglutamate domains to control peptide release from bone graft materialsJournal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A.  107:2764-2773. 2019
2019 3D printed mesh reinforcements enhance the mechanical properties of electrospun scaffoldsBiomaterials Research.  23. 2019
2019 Sox2 promotes expression of the ST6Gal-I glycosyltransferase in ovarian cancer cellsJournal of Ovarian Research.  12. 2019
2019 Addition of an oligoglutamate domain to bone morphogenic protein 2 confers binding to hydroxyapatite materials and induces osteoblastic signalingPLoS One.  14. 2019
2019 Transfer of Functional Cargo in ExomeresCell Reports.  27:940-954.e6. 2019
2019 The addition of a polyglutamate domain to the angiogenic QK peptide improves peptide coupling to bone graft materials leading to enhanced endothelial cell activationPLoS One.  14. 2019
2018 Effector CD4 T cells with progenitor potential mediate chronic intestinal inflammationJournal of Experimental Medicine.  215:1803-1812. 2018
2018 The ST6Gal-I sialyltransferase protects tumor cells against hypoxia by enhancing HIF-1 signalingJournal of Biological Chemistry.  293:5659-5667. 2018
2018 Sialylation of EGFR by the ST6Gal-I sialyltransferase promotes EGFR activation and resistance to gefitinib-mediated cell deathJournal of Ovarian Research.  11. 2018
2018 ST6Gal-I sialyltransferase promotes tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-mediated cancer cell survival via sialylation of the TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) death receptorJournal of Biological Chemistry.  293:1610-1622. 2018
2018 ST6Gal-I sialyltransferase promotes chemoresistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by abrogating gemcitabine-mediated DNA damageJournal of Biological Chemistry.  293:984-994. 2018
2017 Enhanced skin regeneration using a novel amniotic-derived tissue graft 2017
2017 The glycosyltransferase ST6Gal-I protects tumor cells against serum growth factor withdrawal by enhancing survival signaling and proliferative potentialJournal of Biological Chemistry.  292:4663-4673. 2017
2016 The tumor-associated glycosyltransferase ST6Gal-I regulates stem cell transcription factors and confers a cancer stem cell phenotypeCancer Research.  76:3978-3988. 2016
2016 Taking cues from the extracellular matrix to design bone-mimetic regenerative scaffoldsMatrix Biology.  52-54:397-412. 2016
2016 Controlled and targeted release of antigens by intelligent shell for improving applicability of oral vaccinesClinical materials.  77:307-319. 2016
2015 Enhancement of the Regenerative Potential of Anorganic Bovine Bone Graft Utilizing a Polyglutamate-Modified BMP2 Peptide with Improved Binding to Calcium-Containing Materials 2015
2015 Using inositol as a biocompatible ligand for efficient transgene expressionInternational Journal of Nanomedicine.  10:2871-2884. 2015
2015 Microporous dermal-mimetic electrospun scaffolds pre-seeded with fibroblasts promote tissue regeneration in full-thickness skin woundsPLoS One.  10. 2015
2014 Comparing variable-length polyglutamate domains to anchor an osteoinductive collagen-mimetic peptide to diverse bone grafting materialsInternational Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants.  29:1437-1445. 2014
2014 Microporous dermal-like electrospun scaffolds promote accelerated skin regeneration 2014
2014 Tunable delivery of bioactive peptides from hydroxyapatite biomaterials and allograft bone using variable-length polyglutamate domainsJournal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A.  102:1008-1016. 2014
2013 Targeting protein kinase CK2 suppresses prosurvival signaling pathways and growth of glioblastomaClinical Cancer Research.  19:6484-6494. 2013
2013 ST6Gal-I sialyltransferase confers cisplatin resistance in ovarian tumor cellsJournal of Ovarian Research.  6. 2013
2013 ST6Gal-I protein expression is upregulated in human epithelial tumors and correlates with stem cell markers in normal tissues and colon cancer cell linesCancer Research.  73:2368-2378. 2013
2013 Engineering nanocages with polyglutamate domains for coupling to hydroxyapatite biomaterials and allograft boneClinical materials.  34:2455-2462. 2013
2013 Polyglutamate directed coupling of bioactive peptides for the delivery of osteoinductive signals on allograft boneClinical materials.  34:1506-1513. 2013
2012 Regulation of the metastatic cell phenotype by sialylated glycansCancer and Metastasis Reviews.  31:501-518. 2012
2012 Delivery of platelet-derived growth factor as a chemotactic factor for mesenchymal stem cells by bone-mimetic electrospun scaffoldsPLoS One.  7. 2012
2012 Increasing the pore sizes of bone-mimetic electrospun scaffolds comprised of polycaprolactone, collagen I and hydroxyapatite to enhance cell infiltrationClinical materials.  33:524-534. 2012
2011 Nanocomposite scaffolds based on electrospun polycaprolactone/modified CNF/nanohydroxyapatite by electrophoretic depositionJournal of biomaterials and tissue engineering.  1:177-184. 2011
2011 ST6Gal-I regulates macrophage apoptosis via α2-6 sialylation of the TNFR1 death receptorJournal of Biological Chemistry.  286:39654-39662. 2011
2011 Sialylation of the Fas death receptor by St6Gal-I provides protection against Fas-mediated apoptosis in colon carcinoma cellsJournal of Biological Chemistry.  286:22982-22990. 2011
2011 Advantages of RGD peptides for directing cell association with biomaterialsClinical materials.  32:4205-4210. 2011
2011 Engineering an antiplatelet adhesion layer on an electrospun scaffold using porcine endothelial progenitor cellsJournal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A.  97 A:145-151. 2011
2011 Emerging role of α2,6-sialic acid as a negative regulator of galectin binding and functionJournal of Biological Chemistry.  286:5935-5941. 2011
2011 Mesenchymal stem cell responses to bone-mimetic electrospun matrices composed of polycaprolactone, collagen I and nanoparticulate hydroxyapatitePLoS One.  6. 2011
2010 Enhancement of peptide coupling to hydroxyapatite and implant osseointegration through collagen mimetic peptide modified with a polyglutamate domainClinical materials.  31:9586-9594. 2010
2010 An in vitro regenerated functional human endothelium on a nanofibrous electrospun scaffoldClinical materials.  31:4376-4381. 2010
2010 Aligned bioactive multi-component nanofibrous nanocomposite scaffolds for bone tissue engineeringMacromolecular Bioscience.  10:433-444. 2010
2009 Osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells directed by extracellular matrix-mimicking ligands in a biomimetic self-assembled peptide amphiphile nanomatrixBiomacromolecules.  10:2935-2944. 2009
2009 The effect of collagen I mimetic peptides on mesenchymal stem cell adhesion and differentiation, and on bone formation at hydroxyapatite surfacesClinical materials.  30:1898-1909. 2009
2008 Comparison of mesenchymal stem cell and osteosarcoma cell adhesion to hydroxyapatiteJournal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine.  19:3567-3574. 2008
2008 Effect of altered glycosylation on the structure of the I-like domain of β1 integrin: A molecular dynamics study 2008
2008 Working group report: The roles of glycans in hemostasis, inflammation and vascular biologyGlycobiology.  18:747-749. 2008
2008 ST6Gal-I expression in ovarian cancer cells promotes an invasive phenotype by altering integrin glycosylation and function.Journal of Ovarian Research.  1:3. 2008
2008 Tumor cell migration and invasion are regulated by expression of variant integrin glycoformsExperimental Cell Research.  314:2941-2950. 2008
2008 Proteolytic shedding of ST6Gal-I by BACE1 regulates the glycosylation and function of α4β1 integrinsJournal of Biological Chemistry.  283:26364-26373. 2008
2008 Sialylation of β1 integrins blocks cell adhesion to galectin-3 and protects cells against galectin-3-induced apoptosisJournal of Biological Chemistry.  283:22177-22185. 2008
2008 Mesenchymal stem cell interaction with ultra-smooth nanostructured diamond for wear-resistant orthopaedic implantsClinical materials.  29:3461-3468. 2008
2008 The effect of RGD peptides on osseointegration of hydroxyapatite biomaterialsClinical materials.  29:3075-3083. 2008
2008 Low temperature induces the delivery of mature and immature CFTR to the plasma membraneBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications.  366:1025-1029. 2008
2007 Identification of a HoxA10 activation domain necessary for transcription of the gene encoding β3 integrin during myeloid differentiationJournal of Biological Chemistry.  282:16846-16859. 2007
2007 The effect of adsorbed serum proteins, RGD and proteoglycan-binding peptides on the adhesion of mesenchymal stem cells to hydroxyapatiteClinical materials.  28:383-392. 2007
2006 Osteoblast adhesion and matrix mineralization on sol-gel-derived titanium oxideClinical materials.  27:2201-2212. 2006
2006 Mesenchymal stem cell adhesion and spreading on microwave plasma-nitrided titanium alloyJournal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A.  76:279-287. 2006
2005 The effect of the addition of a polyglutamate motif to RGD on peptide tethering to hydroxyapatite and the promotion of mesenchymal stem cell adhesionClinical materials.  26:7046-7056. 2005
2005 A protein kinase C/Ras/ERK signaling pathway activates myeloid fibronectin receptors by altering β1 integrin sialylationJournal of Biological Chemistry.  280:37610-37615. 2005
2005 Hypersialylation of β 1 integrins, observed in colon adenocarcinoma, may contribute to cancer progression by up-regulating cell motilityCancer Research.  65:4645-4652. 2005
2005 Erratum: Primary human marrow stromal cells and Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells use different mechanisms to adhere to hydroxylapatite (Journal of Biomedical Materials Research - Part A (2004) 68A, 2 (273-285) DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.20043)Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A.  73:254. 2005
2005 Regulation of mesenchymal stem cell attachment and spreading on hydroxyapatite by RGD peptides and adsorbed serum proteinsClinical materials.  26:1467-1475. 2005
2004 Mesenchymal stem cell adhesion and spreading on nanostructured biomaterialsJournal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.  4:986-989. 2004
2004 Variant glycosylation: An underappreciated regulatory mechanism for β1 integrins 2004
2004 Primary human marrow stromal cells and Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells use different mechanisms to adhere to hydroxylapatiteJournal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A.  68:273-285. 2004
2003 Ras oncogene directs expression of a differentially sialylated, functionally altered β1 integrinOncogene.  22:7137-7145. 2003
2002 Hyposialylation of integrins stimulates the activity of myeloid fibronectin receptorsJournal of Biological Chemistry.  277:32830-32836. 2002
2001 TGF-β1 up-regulates paxillin protein expression in malignant astrocytoma cells: Requirement for a fibronectin substrateOncogene.  20:7976-7986. 2001
2001 Hydroxylapatite binds more serum proteins, purified integrins, and osteoblast precursor cells than titanium or steelJournal of Applied Biomaterials.  57:258-267. 2001
1999 Steps in integrin beta1-chain glycosylation mediated by TGFbeta1 signaling through Ras.Journal of Cellular Physiology.  181:33-44. 1999
1999 Differential responsiveness to autocrine and exogenous transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 in cells with nonfunctional TGF-β receptor type IIIMolecular Cancer Research.  10:11-18. 1999
1999 Steps in integrin β1-chain glycosylation mediated by TGFβ1 signaling through rasJournal of Cellular Physiology.  181:33-44. 1999
1997 Adhesion of fibroblasts to fibronectin stimulates both serine and tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillinBiochemical Journal.  325:375-381. 1997
1995 Affinity purification of hydra glutathione bindings proteins. [FEBS Letters 354 (1994) 320-324] (PII:0014-5793(94)01154-0)FEBS Letters.  362:98. 1995
1995 Characterization of tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin in vitro by focal adhesion kinaseJournal of Biological Chemistry.  270:17437-17441. 1995
1994 Signal transduction for taurocholic acid in the olfactory system of atlantic salmonChemical Senses.  19:371-380. 1994
1994 Affinity purification of Hydra glutathione binding proteinsFEBS Letters.  354:320-324. 1994
1992 Chemoreception in hydra: specific binding of glutathione to a membrane fraction 1992
1992 Partial Characterization and Detergent Solubilization of the Putative Glutathione Chemoreceptor from HydraBiochemistry.  31:9838-9843. 1992
1991 Chemoreception in Hydra vulgaris (attenuata): initial characterization of two distinct binding sites for l-glutamic acid 1991

Chapter

Year Title Altmetric
2023 Role of tumor cell sialylation in pancreatic cancer progression.  123-155. 2023

Research Overview

  • Role of receptor glycosylation in conferring a cancer stem cell phenotype

    The overarching goal of our research is to elucidate the role of unique glycan structures in regulating tumor cell behavior. Aberrant surface glycosylation was one of the earliest-identified hallmarks of a tumor cell, however the functional role of the glycome in malignant transformation remains poorly-defined. Our studies have shown that a tumor-associated glycosyltransferase, ST6Gal-I, an enzyme that adds α2-6 sialic acids to select receptors, imparts a metastatic cell phenotype. ST6Gal-I regulates cell behavior by modulating the function of a subset of integrins, growth factor receptors and death receptors, which then act collectively to alter cell signaling. Furthermore, ST6Gal-I is upregulated as a consequence of oncogenic ras signaling, and functions to reprogram cells into cancer stem cells, as characterized by enhanced spheroid growth, resistance to multiple chemotherapy drugs, and increased tumor-initiating potential. The tumorigenic activity of ST6Gal-I has been elucidated through the use of cell models and genetically-engineered mice, as well as analyses of human tissues. Our collective results implicate ST6Gal-I as a driver of neoplastic transformation, and a prognostic marker for poor patient survival and chemoresistance.
  • Principal Investigator On

  • Cell and Molecular Analysis of Biomaterials Core  awarded by UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA HEALTH SERVICES FOUNDATION
  • Coupling Osteoinductive Factors to Graft Materials to Promote Osteoregeneration  awarded by National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/NIH/DHHS
  • Enhanced Coupling of Bone Regenerative Peptides to Hydroxyapatite-Containing Biomaterials  awarded by National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/NIH/DHHS
  • Functionalizing Hydroxyapatite with Proadhesive Peptides  awarded by National Institute of Arthritis & Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases/NIH/DHHS
  • Glycan Control of Stem Cell-Associated Pathways in Pancreatic Cancer  awarded by National Cancer Institute/NIH/DHHS
  • Glycosylation-Dependent Control of TNFR1 Signaling in Macrophage Survival  awarded by American Heart Association (Southeast Affiliate)
  • Glycosylation-Dependent Mechanisms Regulating Ovarian Tumor Cell Survival  awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences/NIH/DHHS
  • Glycosylation-dependent Mechanisms Regulating Ovarian Tumor cell Phenotype  awarded by National Cancer Institute/NIH/DHHS
  • Novel Mechanism of TNFR1 Regulation in Macrophage Apoptosis and Atherogenesis  awarded by American Heart Association
  • Novel Method for Anchoring Osteoinductive Factors to Bone Graft Materials to Enhance Osseointegration  awarded by OSSEOINTEGRATION FOUNDATION
  • Private Grant  awarded by NUTECH MEDICAL, INC
  • Regulation of Beta1 Integrin Glycosylation by Ras  awarded by National Cancer Institute/NIH/DHHS
  • Research Collaboration with University of Copenhagen  awarded by University of Copenhagen
  • Rheumatic Diseases Core Center: Pilot Project - P & F 5  awarded by National Institute of Arthritis & Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases/NIH/DHHS
  • Role of Fas Glycoforms in Macrophage Apoptosis  awarded by American Heart Association
  • Role of Receptor Sialylation in the Ovarian Tumor Cell Phenotype  awarded by DOD - ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH ACQUISITION ACTIVITY
  • Role of Sialylation in Macrophage Apoptosis  awarded by American Heart Association (Southeast Affiliate)
  • ST6Gal-1 Contributes To Pancreatic Cancer Initiation by Promoting Pancreatitis-Induced Acinar To Ductal Metaplasia  awarded by National Cancer Institute/NIH/DHHS
  • Sialylation-dependent Mechanisms Driving Pancreatic Cancer Progression  awarded by National Cancer Institute/NIH/DHHS
  • TNFR1 Death Receptor Glycosylation in Macrophage Apoptosis  awarded by American Heart Association (Southeast Affiliate)
  • Targeted Delivery of Osteoinductive Molecules to Biologic HA in Bone Grafts  awarded by National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/NIH/DHHS
  • Tunable Co-Delivery of VEGF and BMP2 Mimetic Peptides to Enhance Bone Regeneration  awarded by National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/NIH/DHHS
  • UAB Skin Disease Research Center - P&F 20  awarded by National Institute of Arthritis & Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases/NIH/DHHS
  • Investigator On

  • A Novel, Transferable Sialylation-mediated Mechanism of Chemoradioresistance in GI Cancer  awarded by National Cancer Institute/NIH/DHHS
  • CD4 T Cell Stemness and Inflammatory Bowel Disease  awarded by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases/NIH/DHHS
  • Intra-Tumor Heterogeneity in Colorectal Cancer Progression and Treatment Response  awarded by National Cancer Institute/NIH/DHHS
  • Kidney Undergraduate Research Experience (KURE)  awarded by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases/NIH/DHHS
  • Lumina III System for UAB Optical Imaging  awarded by NIH - OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
  • Nanotechnology in Biosensors and Bioengineering  awarded by National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering/NIH/DHHS
  • PRedoctoral Interdisciplinary Training in Renal Physiology and MEdIcIne (PRIME)  awarded by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases/NIH/DHHS
  • Private Grant  awarded by BIOMET, INC.
  • Rheumatic Diseases Core Center  awarded by National Institute of Arthritis & Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases/NIH/DHHS
  • Role of Gastric Microbiota in Protecting Children from Precancerous Inflammation in H. Pylori Infection  awarded by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development/NIH/DHHS
  • Sialylation Dependent Control of CD8 T cell Stemness during Chronic Viral Infection  awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/NIH/DHHS
  • Sialylation in the Maintenance and Metabolic Plasticity of Neural Stem Cell-Like Brain Tumor Cells  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS
  • Training Program in Cardiovascular Pathophysiology  awarded by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/NIH/DHHS
  • UAB Skin Disease Research Center  awarded by National Institute of Arthritis & Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases/NIH/DHHS
  • Teaching Activities

  • BME698 - Non-Thesis Research (Fall Term 2008)
  • BME698 - Non-Thesis Research (Fall Term 2009)
  • BME698 - Non-Thesis Research (Spring Term 2009)
  • BME698 - Non-Thesis Research (Summer Term 2009)
  • BME699 - Masters Thesis Research (Spring Term 2010)
  • BME699 - Masters Thesis Research (Summer Term 2010)
  • BME798 - Non-Dissertation Research (Fall Term 2010)
  • BME798 - Non-Dissertation Research (Fall Term 2011)
  • BME798 - Non-Dissertation Research (Fall Term 2014)
  • BME798 - Non-Dissertation Research (Fall Term 2015)
  • BME798 - Non-Dissertation Research (Fall Term 2017)
  • BME798 - Non-Dissertation Research (Spring Term 2011)
  • BME798 - Non-Dissertation Research (Spring Term 2015)
  • BME798 - Non-Dissertation Research (Spring Term 2016)
  • BME798 - Non-Dissertation Research (Spring Term 2017)
  • BME798 - Non-Dissertation Research (Summer Term 2011)
  • BME798 - Non-Dissertation Research (Summer Term 2015)
  • BME798 - Non-Dissertation Research (Summer Term 2016)
  • BME798 - Non-Dissertation Research (Summer Term 2017)
  • BME799 - Dissertation Research (Fall Term 2007)
  • BME799 - Dissertation Research (Fall Term 2008)
  • BME799 - Dissertation Research (Fall Term 2012)
  • BME799 - Dissertation Research (Fall Term 2018)
  • BME799 - Dissertation Research (Fall Term 2019)
  • BME799 - Dissertation Research (Spring Term 2008)
  • BME799 - Dissertation Research (Spring Term 2012)
  • BME799 - Dissertation Research (Spring Term 2013)
  • BME799 - Dissertation Research (Spring Term 2018)
  • BME799 - Dissertation Research (Spring Term 2019)
  • BME799 - Dissertation Research (Summer Term 2008)
  • BME799 - Dissertation Research (Summer Term 2012)
  • BME799 - Dissertation Research (Summer Term 2018)
  • BME799 - Dissertation Research (Summer Term 2019)
  • GBSC743 - Glycobiology (Spring Term 2020)
  • GBSC743 - Glycosylation in Health & Dis (Spring Term 2022)
  • PHY790 - Selected Topics Physiology I (Fall Term 2008)
  • Full Name

  • Susan Bellis