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Related Concept Videos

Carbohydrate Metabolism01:36

Carbohydrate Metabolism

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Carbohydrates are polymers composed of molecules containing atoms of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. One gram of carbohydrate can provide four kilo-calories of energy, which makes it the most efficient instant energy source.
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Biosynthesis of Polysaccharides01:26

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Polysaccharides such as glycogen and starch are synthesized from nucleoside diphosphate sugars, primarily uridine diphosphate glucose (UDPG) and adenosine diphosphate glucose (ADPG). These activated glucose donors act as key intermediates in carbohydrate metabolism and biosynthesis. UDPG primarily involves glycogen synthesis in animals and many bacteria, while ADPG plays a fundamental role in starch synthesis in plants and certain bacteria.UDPG is formed when glucose-1-phosphate reacts with...
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Carbohydrate Absorption01:25

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Carbohydrates are essential macronutrients that serve as the body's primary energy source. Their digestion begins in the mouth, where salivary amylase partially breaks down complex carbohydrates such as starch into smaller oligosaccharides. This mechanical and enzymatic activity prepares carbohydrates for further processing in the gastrointestinal tract.
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Protein Glycosylation01:25

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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.
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Sugars as Energy Storage Molecules01:10

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Sugar (a simple carbohydrate) metabolism (chemical reactions) is a classic example of the many cellular processes that use and produce energy. Living things consume sugar as a major energy source because sugar molecules have considerable energy stored within their bonds. Consumed carbohydrates have their origins in photosynthesizing organisms like plants. During photosynthesis, plants use the energy of sunlight to convert carbon dioxide gas into sugar molecules, like glucose. Because this...
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Carbohydrate Digestion00:57

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Carbohydrate digestion and metabolism break down simple and complex carbohydrates from food into saccharides (i.e., sugars) for the body to use as energy. Carbohydrate digestion starts in the mouth during mastication, or chewing. The masticated carbohydrates remain intact in the stomach. Digestion resumes in the duodenum of the small intestine, where pancreatic alpha-amylase and brush border enzymes of the microvilli convert complex carbohydrates to monosaccharides. Finally, the monosaccharides...
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Carbohydrate-Active enZyme (CAZyme) enabled glycoengineering for a sweeter future.

Chandra Kanth Bandi1, Ayushi Agrawal1, Shishir Ps Chundawat1

  • 1Department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 98 Brett Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.

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Enzymatic synthesis of complex carbohydrates like glycans is advancing glycobiology. Engineered Carbohydrate-Active enZymes (CAZymes) offer improved specificity and catalytic efficiency for producing valuable glycans.

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Area of Science:

  • Glycobiology and Glycochemistry
  • Enzymatic Synthesis and Protein Engineering

Background:

  • The synthesis of complex carbohydrate-based molecules, including glycopolymers and glycoconjugates, has historically posed significant challenges in glycobiology.
  • These complex carbohydrates are crucial for various biological processes and therapeutic applications, such as glycosylated monoclonal antibodies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review enzymatic strategies for the biosynthesis of diverse glycan structures.
  • To highlight recent advancements in protein engineering techniques for enhancing Carbohydrate-Active enZymes (CAZymes).
  • To discuss the application of engineered CAZymes in synthesizing and remodeling glycans for biotherapeutics and biotechnology.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing engineered Carbohydrate-Active enZymes (CAZymes), including glycosyl transferases, transglycosidases, and glycosynthases.
  • Implementing rational design and directed evolution approaches for protein engineering of CAZymes.
  • Applying improved CAZymes for the synthesis and modification of glycans.

Main Results:

  • Engineered CAZymes have demonstrated increased specificity and catalytic turnover rates.
  • These advancements facilitate the production of a wider array of complex glycans.
  • Successful application of engineered CAZymes in synthesizing and remodeling glycans for biopharmaceutical and biotechnological purposes.

Conclusions:

  • Enzymatic routes, powered by engineered CAZymes, are revolutionizing glycan synthesis.
  • Protein engineering strategies are key to overcoming limitations in CAZyme performance.
  • Improved CAZymes are enabling significant progress in developing novel biotherapeutics and biotechnologies.