[Principles of spatial organization of group-specific glycoproteins]

Theoretical conformational analysis of O-glycosylated polypeptide chain has been carried out. It is shown that formation of a regular structure is possible, in which the peptide backbone is covered by a layer of well-packed carbohydrate side chains. A beta-barrel is proposed as the spatial model of blood group-specific glycoproteins; it consists of glycosylated beta-hairpins, which interact if they are sterically close. In this beta-barrel the peptide backbone forms an inner "tunnel" which is isolated by the compact carbohydrate coat.