• MAN1A1 is identified as a consistently upregulated enzyme in colorectal cancer liver metastases, correlating with reduced overall survival and serving as a prognostic biomarker.
• Overexpression of MAN1A1 enhances migratory and invasive capacities of colorectal cancer cells without affecting proliferation, indicating a specific role in metastasis.
• Mechanistically, MAN1A1 promotes metastasis by prolonging the half-life of TGFBR2 protein, implicating glycan remodeling in metastatic progression.
• The study highlights MAN1A1 as a promising therapeutic target for colorectal cancer liver metastases, offering potential for targeted interventions.