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Recent advances in glycomics and glycogenetics
Sonya M Khersonsky1, Christine M Ho, Mary-Anne F Garcia
1Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA.
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
|February 7, 2003
Summary
Understanding the glycome, the complete set of carbohydrates, is crucial for determining gene functions. This review explores carbohydrate roles, synthesis, and methods for discovering new biological targets in chemical genetics.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Chemical Biology
Background:
- The human genome is largely sequenced, shifting focus to gene product functions.
- Proteins are key gene products, but carbohydrates also play vital regulatory roles.
- Carbohydrates are involved in post-translational modifications and functional regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the essential role of the glycome in understanding gene functions.
- To emphasize the significance of carbohydrate research in chemical genetics.
- To survey current knowledge and methods in carbohydrate science.
Main Methods:
- Review of known biological functions and targets of carbohydrates.
- Analysis of combinatorial synthesis and structural properties of natural and non-natural carbohydrates.
- Presentation of methods for identifying new biological targets using carbohydrate mimetics and scaffolds, including chip technology.
Main Results:
- Carbohydrates are critical regulators of gene product function.
- Advanced methods like combinatorial synthesis and chip technology are enabling glycome research.
- The study of carbohydrates is essential for a comprehensive understanding of genetics.
Conclusions:
- Studying the glycome is the next frontier in understanding gene functions.
- Carbohydrate research significantly advances the field of chemical genetics.
- New strategies are emerging for the discovery of carbohydrate-related biological targets.