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Glycans, a class of complex heterogeneous molecules, can be covalently attached to proteins to form glycosylated proteins that regulate various physiological and pathological processes. Glycosylated proteins or glycoproteins comprise N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides. O-glycosylation is the most common type of protein glycosylation. Here, glycans attach to the oxygen atom of the hydroxyl groups of Serine or Threonine residues. O-linked glycosylation occurs later in protein processing,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Glycan Node Analysis: A Bottom-up Approach to Glycomics

Glycan Node Analysis: A Bottom-up Approach to Glycomics

Published on: May 22, 2016

Complicated N-linked glycans in simple organisms.

Birgit Schiller¹, Alba Hykollari, Shi Yan

¹Department für Chemie, Universität für Bodenkultur, A-1190 Wien, Austria.

Biological Chemistry

|September 5, 2012

Summary

The study explores the complex N-glycans and N-glycosylation pathways in invertebrates and unicellular organisms. Deciphering these unusual glycomes is crucial due to their biotechnological, developmental, and immunological relevance.

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Area of Science:

Glycomics
Carbohydrate Chemistry
Biotechnology

Background:

The sequencing of numerous genomes has highlighted significant gaps in our understanding of eukaryotic glycomes.
Research is advancing in characterizing N-glycans and N-glycosylation pathways in specific invertebrate and unicellular groups.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the complex and unusual N-glycan structures found in various eukaryotic organisms.
To understand the implications of these novel glycan structures for traditional classification systems.

Main Methods:

Comparative glycomic analysis of selected invertebrate and unicellular species.
Characterization of N-glycosylation pathways and their variations.

Main Results:

Discovery of a multitude of modifications in the core regions of N-glycans.
Identification of unusual glycan antennae structures.
Demonstration that traditional glycan classification is insufficient for these novel structures.

Conclusions:

The glycomes of invertebrates and unicellular organisms are rich in structural diversity and novel modifications.
Deciphering these unusual glycomes holds significant biotechnological, developmental, and immunological importance.
Further research into these unique glycomes is essential, extending beyond purely academic interest.