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Recent Advances in the Chemical Biology of N-Glycans
Asuka Shirakawa1, Yoshiyuki Manabe1,2, Koichi Fukase1,2
1Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan.
Abstract:
Asparagine-linked N-glycans on proteins have diverse structures, and their functions vary according to their structures. In recent years, it has become possible to obtain high quantities of N-glycans via isolation and chemical/enzymatic/chemoenzymatic synthesis. This has allowed for progress in the elucidation of N-glycan functions at the molecular level. Interaction analyses with lectins by glycan arrays or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) using various N-glycans have revealed the molecular basis for the recognition of complex structures of N-glycans. Preparation of proteins modified with homogeneous N-glycans revealed the influence of N-glycan modifications on protein functions. Furthermore, N-glycans have potential applications in drug development. This review discusses recent advances in the chemical biology of N-glycans.
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