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Oligosaccharide Assembly

Protein glycosylation starts in the ER lumen and continues in the Golgi apparatus. Glycosyltransferases catalyze the addition of sugar molecules or glycosylation of proteins. Usually, these enzymes add sugars to the hydroxyl groups of selected serine or threonine residues to form O-linked glycans or the amino groups of asparagine residues to form N-linked glycans. Different positions on the same polypeptide chain can contain differently linked glycans.
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Analysis of Fucosylated Human Milk Trisaccharides in Biotechnological Context Using Genetically Encoded Biosensors
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Analysis of Fucosylated Human Milk Trisaccharides in Biotechnological Context Using Genetically Encoded Biosensors

Published on: April 13, 2019

Structure-function relationships of human milk oligosaccharides.

Lars Bode1, Evelyn Jantscher-Krenn

  • 1Division of Neonatology and Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA. lbode@ucsd.edu

Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)
|May 16, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) have structures that determine their protective functions against infections and immune responses. Specific HMO structures are crucial for infant health, unlike those in current infant formulas.

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Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Analysis of Fucosylated Human Milk Trisaccharides in Biotechnological Context Using Genetically Encoded Biosensors
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Published on: April 13, 2019

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Improved In-gel Reductive β-Elimination for Comprehensive O-linked and Sulfo-glycomics by Mass Spectrometry

Published on: November 20, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Glycoscience
  • Human milk composition
  • Infant nutrition

Background:

  • Human milk contains over 100 distinct oligosaccharides (HMOs).
  • The structure of HMOs dictates their specific biological functions.
  • Current infant formulas lack the structural diversity of HMOs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how human milk oligosaccharide structures determine functionality.
  • To highlight the structure-specific benefits of HMOs for infant health.
  • To compare HMOs with oligosaccharides used in infant formula.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on HMO structure-function relationships.
  • Analysis of studies on specific HMOs, including fucosylated and sialylated variants.
  • Examination of preclinical data on HMOs and necrotizing enterocolitis.

Main Results:

  • Specific fucosylated HMOs inhibit Campylobacter jejuni adhesion.
  • Fucosylation can abolish HMO benefits against Entamoeba histolytica.
  • Fucosylated and sialylated HMOs reduce leukocyte adhesion and protect against excessive immune responses.
  • Sialylated HMOs show protective effects against necrotizing enterocolitis in neonatal rats.

Conclusions:

  • HMO structure is critical for specific health benefits, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.
  • Oligosaccharides in infant formula likely do not replicate HMO-specific functions.
  • Further intervention studies are needed to confirm HMO benefits in infants.
  • Breastfeeding remains the optimal choice for infant nutrition and development.