Glycoconjugate

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

In molecular biology and biochemistry, glycoconjugates are the classification family for carbohydrates – referred to as glycans – which are covalently linked with chemical species such as proteins, peptides, lipids, and other compounds.[1] Glycoconjugates are formed in processes termed glycosylation.

Glycoconjugates are very important compounds in

lipopolysaccharides. They are involved in cell–cell interactions, including cell–cell recognition; in cell–matrix
interactions; in detoxification processes.

Generally, the carbohydrate part(s) play an integral role in the function of a glycoconjugate; prominent examples of this are

blood proteins
where fine details in the carbohydrate structure determine cell binding (or not) or lifetime in circulation.

Although the important molecular species

NADPH, and coenzyme A
all contain a carbohydrate part, generally they are not considered as glycoconjugates.

Glycocojugates of carbohydrates covalently linked to antigens and protein scaffolds can achieve a long term immunological response in the body.

meningococcus.[3]

In 2021 glycoRNAs were observed for the first time.[4][5][6]

References

  1. ^ Glycoconjugates at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
  2. PMID 17307762
    .
  3. PMID 28660174
    .
  4. PMID 34004145
    .
  5. ^ University, Stanford (2021-05-17). "Stanford study reveals new biomolecule". Stanford News. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  6. ^ "Newly Discovered Glycosylated RNA Is All Over Cells: Study". The Scientist Magazine®. Retrieved 2021-08-31.


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