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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Characterization of Glycoproteins with the Immunoglobulin Fold by X-Ray Crystallography and Biophysical Techniques
Published on: July 5, 2018
Glycoprotein tertiary and quaternary structures are monitored by the same quality control mechanism
Natasha Keith1, Armando J Parodi, Julio J Caramelo
1Laboratory of Glycobiology, Fundación Instituto Leloir, Avenida Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires C1405 WE, Argentina.
Abstract:
Folding of glycoproteins entering the secretory pathway is strictly surveyed in the endoplasmic reticulum by a quality control system. Folding intermediates and proteins irreparably misfolded are marked via glucosylation by the UDPglucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase, an enzyme that acts as a folding sensor by exclusively labeling glycoproteins not displaying their native structures. Here we show that this sensing mechanism also applies to the oligomerization of protein complexes, as the glucosyltransferase appeared to be able to glucosylate folded complex subunits lacking the full complement of oligomer components.
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