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Sulfotransferases and sulfated oligosaccharides.
Koichi Honke1, Naoyuki Taniguchi
1Department of Biochemistry, Osaka University Medical School, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. khonke@biochem.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Medicinal Research Reviews
|October 9, 2002
Summary
Sulfated carbohydrates on proteins and lipids carry vital biological information. Understanding Golgi-associated sulfotransferases and sulfated oligosaccharides offers insights into human diseases and potential cures.
Area of Science:
- Carbohydrate Chemistry
- Glycobiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Structural diversity in sugar chains (glycans) attached to proteins and lipids encodes significant biological information.
- Sulfated carbohydrates, found in proteoglycans, glycoproteins, and glycolipids, are crucial for molecular recognition due to their negative charge conferred by sulfate groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the biological significance of sulfated oligosaccharides.
- To understand the role of Golgi-associated sulfotransferases in catalyzing oligosaccharide sulfation.
- To investigate the connection between sulfated oligosaccharides and human diseases.
Main Methods:
- Molecular cloning of Golgi-associated sulfotransferases.
- Analysis of the structural diversity of glycans, including sulfation patterns.
- Investigating the biological functions of sulfated oligosaccharides in various contexts.
Main Results:
- The molecular cloning of sulfotransferases has advanced the understanding of sulfated oligosaccharide biosynthesis and function.
- Sulfated oligosaccharides play a role in specific molecular recognition processes.
Conclusions:
- Sulfated oligosaccharides are critical components involved in diverse biological processes.
- Further research into the link between sulfated oligosaccharides and diseases like cancer and inflammation may lead to novel therapeutic strategies.