A proposed pathway of plasma glycoprotein synthesis

Plasma glycoprotein synthesis in the liver occurs in a stepwise fashion. The first sugar, N-acetyl-glucosamine, is attached to the protein during the growth of the polypeptide chain on the membrane-bound ribosomes. Subsequent carbohydrates are incorporated after the completion of the protein in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. The reactions are carried out by enzymes strongly bound to the membranes. Because the glycosylation reaction occurs in the interior of the cytoplasmic tubules a permeability problem for the nucleotide sugar exists. Recent studies indicate that sugar-lipids are formed on the cytoplasmic site of the membrane and these complexes transfer the sugars across the membrane. Experimental evidence for this pathway is presented in this article.