Glycobiology: a growing field for drug design

Recent information on protein-carbohydrate interactions in physiological and pathological situations substantiates the intuitive belief in carbohydrates as candidates for drug design. Most noteworthy, short saccharide sequences have been shown to be specific receptors for adhesion of circulating leukocytes to vascular endothelial cells, a phenomenon induced at local inflammatory sites. There is strong evidence that mammalian sperm cells carry proteins that interact specifically with saccharide receptors on eggs. The influenza virus receptor on animal cells, sialic acid, has been analysed in the crystal conformation as a complex with the viral receptor-binding protein. These and other convincing examples discussed here by Karl-Anders Karlsson will inspire new approaches to the treatment of several important medical conditions where existing methods are insufficient.