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Related Concept Videos

Membrane Lipids01:32

Membrane Lipids

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Lipids are an essential component of all biological membranes. The average lipid content in mammalian membranes is 50%, though it can be as low as 20% in the inner mitochondrial membrane or as high as 80% in the myelin sheath present around the nerve cells.
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Protein glycosylation starts in the ER lumen and continues in the Golgi apparatus. Glycosyltransferases catalyze the addition of sugar molecules or glycosylation of proteins. Usually, these enzymes add sugars to the hydroxyl groups of selected serine or threonine residues to form O-linked glycans or the amino groups of asparagine residues to form N-linked glycans. Different positions on the same polypeptide chain can contain differently linked glycans.
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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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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,...
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Biological membranes show uneven distribution of different types of lipids in the inner and outer layers, resulting in transverse asymmetric membranes. The treatment of the erythrocyte membrane with the enzyme phospholipase confirmed the asymmetric nature of the lipid bilayer. The enzyme hydrolyzes lipids into fatty acids and hydrophilic groups. The phospholipase acts only on the outer layer of the membrane, while the inner layer remains intact. The phospholipase treatment resulted in 80%...
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Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Glycosphingolipid Antigens
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Glycosphingolipids in human parasites.

Richard D Cummings1

  • 1Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

FEBS Open Bio
|June 19, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are crucial membrane components in parasites that infect humans. Understanding their structure and immune recognition can lead to new treatments and vaccines for parasitic infections.

Keywords:
antibodiesglycansglycolipidsglycosphingolipidsoligosaccharidesparasites

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Parasitology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are essential membrane lipids found in animals, parasitic protozoans, and worms.
  • The specific roles of GSLs in parasites are largely unknown, but they are recognized by host antibodies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diversity of GSL glycans in human parasites.
  • To highlight the immune recognition of parasite GSLs.
  • To explore the potential of GSLs for developing new drugs, diagnostics, and vaccines against parasitic infections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on GSL structures, biosynthesis, and host immune responses in human parasites.
  • Analysis of recent findings on GSL diversity and immunogenicity in infectious organisms.

Main Results:

  • Significant diversity of GSL glycans has been identified in various human parasites.
  • Many parasite GSLs are targets of host antibody recognition, indicating their potential as immunomodulators.

Conclusions:

  • GSLs in human parasites represent a promising area for therapeutic and diagnostic development.
  • Further research into parasite GSLs can inform novel vaccine strategies against infectious diseases.