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Updated: Nov 21, 2025

Analysis of Fucosylated Human Milk Trisaccharides in Biotechnological Context Using Genetically Encoded Biosensors
Published on: April 13, 2019
Significance of fucose in intestinal health and disease
Jolene M Garber1, Thierry Hennet2, Christine M Szymanski1
1Complex Carbohydrate Research Center and Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
Abstract:
The deoxyhexose sugar L-fucose is important for many biological processes within the human body and the associated microbiota. This carbohydrate is abundant in host gut mucosal surfaces, numerous microbial cell surface structures, and some dietary carbohydrates. Fucosylated oligosaccharides facilitate the establishment of a healthy microbiota and provide protection from infection. However, there are instances where pathogens can also exploit these fucosylated structures to cause infection. Furthermore, deficiencies in host fucosylation are associated with specific disease outcomes. This review focuses on our current understanding of the impact of fucosylation within the mucosal environment of the gastrointestinal tract with a specific emphasis on the mediatory effects in host-microbe interactions.
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