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Nucleotide sugar transporters: biological and functional aspects
R Gerardy-Schahn1, S Oelmann, H Bakker
1Institut für Physiologische Chemie, Proteinstruktur, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany. gerardy-schahn.rita@mh-hannover.de
Biochimie
|September 1, 2001
Summary
Nucleotide sugar transporters move essential molecules into the Golgi apparatus for glycosylation. Recent research advances our understanding of these vital multi-transmembrane-spanning proteins.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The Golgi apparatus is the primary site for glycosylation reactions.
- Nucleotide sugars, substrates for glycosyltransferases, are synthesized in the cytoplasm or nucleus.
- Efficient transport of nucleotide sugars into the Golgi lumen is crucial for glycosylation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent developments in the field of nucleotide sugar transporters.
- To highlight the importance of nucleotide sugar transporters in cellular processes.
- To discuss the structure-function relationships of these conserved proteins.
Main Methods:
- Identification of putative nucleotide sugar transporter sequences using gene databases.
- Analysis of structural and functional conservation among transporter families.
- Review of recent literature on nucleotide sugar transporter research.
Main Results:
- The cloning of the first nucleotide sugar transporter genes in 1996 revealed a conserved protein family.
- High structural and functional conservation facilitates the identification of new transporter sequences.
- Advances in database mining accelerate the discovery of novel nucleotide sugar transporters.
Conclusions:
- Nucleotide sugar transporters are essential for delivering substrates to the Golgi apparatus.
- The conserved nature of these transporters aids in ongoing research and discovery.
- Continued study of nucleotide sugar transporters enhances our understanding of glycosylation and related cellular functions.