Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope

Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope

The outermost layers of prokaryotic cells play a critical role in their survival, virulence, and interaction with the environment. These layers, often composed of polysaccharides, polypeptides, or proteins, form protective and adhesive structures that vary in organization and function.Capsules and Slime LayersCapsules are highly organized, tightly bound layers that firmly attach to the bacterial cell wall. Capsules are usually made of polysaccharides, though some are made of polypeptides. These...

Glycocalyx and its Functions

Glycocalyx and its Functions

The glycocalyx is a carbohydrate-rich, fuzzy-appearing layer on the outer surface of the cell membrane. It is highly hydrophilic, because of this it attracts large amounts of water to the cell's surface. This aids the cell's interaction with the watery environment and also helps it to obtain substances dissolved in the water. It is also important for cell identification, self/non-self determination, and embryonic development and is used in cell-to-cell attachments to form tissues.

Bacterial Cell Wall

Bacterial Cell Wall

The bacterial cell wall is an essential structural component that encases the plasma membrane, preserving cellular integrity, determining shape, and protecting against osmotic stress. This rigid yet flexible structure primarily comprises peptidoglycan, a polymer that forms a mesh-like matrix conferring mechanical strength and flexibility.Peptidoglycan Composition and StructurePeptidoglycan, the core of the bacterial cell wall, comprises alternating units of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and...

Protein Glycosylation

Protein Glycosylation

Glycosylation, the most common post-translational modification for proteins, serves diverse functions. Adding sugars to proteins makes the proteins more resistant to proteolytic digestion. Glycosylated proteins can act as markers and receptors to promote cell-cell adhesion. Additionally, they have many essential quality control functions in the cell, such as correct protein folding and facilitating transport of misfolded proteins to the cytosol, which can be degraded.
Glycosylation occurs in...

Proteoglycans

Proteoglycans

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,...

Matrix Proteoglycans and Glycoproteins

Matrix Proteoglycans and Glycoproteins

Proteoglycans are extensively glycosylated proteins, commonly found in the extracellular matrix, interwoven with collagen fibers. Hyaline cartilage, the most common type of cartilage in the body, consists of short and dispersed collagen fibers associated with large amounts of proteoglycans. These proteoglycans have long negative charges that attract cations, which in turn attract water molecules. This influx of ions and water molecules swells up the proteoglycan like a water-soaked gel that can...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Beyond the protein lattice: bacterial S-layer glycans - from structure to functional frontier.

Current opinion in microbiology·2026

Same author

Molecular insights into the dual-glycoprotein surface layer of the oral bacterium Tannerella serpentiformis.

Journal of molecular graphics & modelling·2026

Same author

Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Periodontal Host Cells and a Seven-Species Periodontitis Model Biofilm.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025

Same author

Vitamin D<sub>3</sub> Modulates Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Responses in Oral Epithelial Cells Exposed to Periodontitis-Associated Bacteria.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025

Same author

A new age in structural S-layer biology: Experimental and in silico milestones.

The Journal of biological chemistry·2025

Same author

Chemical Synthesis of Complex Carbohydrates.

Handbook of experimental pharmacology·2025

Same journal

Late stage O-glycosylation: A strategic gateway to complex therapeutic natural products.

Advances in carbohydrate chemistry and biochemistry·2025

Same journal

Visible-light-induced, photocatalyst-free generation of glycosyl radicals: Emerging routes for glycosylation.

Advances in carbohydrate chemistry and biochemistry·2025

Same journal

Emerging trends in stereoselective glycosyl ester synthesis.

Advances in carbohydrate chemistry and biochemistry·2025

Same journal

Stereoselective 1,2-cis glycosylation via intramolecular aglycone delivery: Opportunities and challenges.

Advances in carbohydrate chemistry and biochemistry·2025

Same journal

Synthesis and biomedical applications of glycopolymers.

Advances in carbohydrate chemistry and biochemistry·2025

Same journal

Carbohydrates and cardiovascular disease.

Advances in carbohydrate chemistry and biochemistry·2025

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

Homogeneous Glycoconjugate Produced by Combined Unnatural Amino Acid Incorporation and Click-Chemistry for Vaccine Purposes

Homogeneous Glycoconjugate Produced by Combined Unnatural Amino Acid Incorporation and Click-Chemistry for Vaccine Purposes

Published on: December 19, 2020

Bacterial cell-envelope glycoconjugates.

Paul Messner¹, Christina Schäffer, Paul Kosma

¹Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology Unit, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.

Advances in Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biochemistry

|November 27, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Prokaryotic glycosylation is crucial for bacterial cell wall integrity and adaptation. This review explores the diverse structures, functions, and applications of bacterial and archaeal glycoconjugates and cell-envelope polysaccharides.

Keywords:

Archaea Bacteria Glycoprotein Secondary cell-wall polymers Surface layer

More Related Videos

Separation of the Cell Envelope for Gram-negative Bacteria into Inner and Outer Membrane Fractions with Technical Adjustments for Acinetobacter baumannii

Separation of the Cell Envelope for Gram-negative Bacteria into Inner and Outer Membrane Fractions with Technical Adjustments for Acinetobacter baumannii

Published on: April 10, 2020

Glycan Node Analysis: A Bottom-up Approach to Glycomics

Glycan Node Analysis: A Bottom-up Approach to Glycomics

Published on: May 22, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 5, 2026

Homogeneous Glycoconjugate Produced by Combined Unnatural Amino Acid Incorporation and Click-Chemistry for Vaccine Purposes

Homogeneous Glycoconjugate Produced by Combined Unnatural Amino Acid Incorporation and Click-Chemistry for Vaccine Purposes

Published on: December 19, 2020

Separation of the Cell Envelope for Gram-negative Bacteria into Inner and Outer Membrane Fractions with Technical Adjustments for Acinetobacter baumannii

Separation of the Cell Envelope for Gram-negative Bacteria into Inner and Outer Membrane Fractions with Technical Adjustments for Acinetobacter baumannii

Published on: April 10, 2020

Glycan Node Analysis: A Bottom-up Approach to Glycomics

Glycan Node Analysis: A Bottom-up Approach to Glycomics

Published on: May 22, 2016

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Glycobiology
Biochemistry

Background:

Prokaryotic glycosylation is vital for bacterial cell wall structure, function, and adaptation.
Recent decades have seen significant expansion in understanding bacterial and archaeal protein glycosylation.
Glycosylation impacts various cellular components, including flagella, pili, enzymes, and surface layers.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a comprehensive overview of prokaryotic cell-envelope glycoconjugates.
To discuss the structure, analysis, function, biosynthesis, and applications of these molecules.
To highlight the diversity and importance of S-layer glycoproteins and associated glycans.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on prokaryotic glycosylation.
Analysis of structural diversity in cell-envelope glycopolymers.
Discussion of genetic basis, biosynthesis pathways, and applications.

Main Results:

Prokaryotic glycopolymers exhibit enormous structural diversity, comparable to lipopolysaccharides and capsular polysaccharides.
Secondary cell wall polysaccharides are key for S-layer attachment and orientation.
Examples from both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (e.g., Tannerella forsythia) and archaea are presented.

Conclusions:

Prokaryotic glycosylation is a complex and diverse field with significant implications for bacterial survival and interaction.
Understanding these glycoconjugates is crucial for biomedical and biotechnological advancements.
The review underscores the broad scope and importance of cell-envelope glycans in prokaryotes.