Lecture 10C - Glycoproteins and Lectins

Thomas Mennella10 minutes read

Glycoproteins are proteins with sugars attached to them, important for cell signaling and adhesion, created in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. The diversity in glycoproteins comes from different sugar monomers and linkages, interacting with lectins like selectins for various functions in immune responses and cell interactions.

Insights

  • Glycoproteins, found on cell surfaces, play a vital role in cell signaling and adhesion by having sugars covalently attached to them, creating a branching tree-like structure as they move through the Golgi apparatus.
  • Selectins, a type of lectin, interact with glycoproteins to facilitate immune responses, embryo implantation, and the adherence of beneficial gut bacteria, showcasing the importance of these interactions in various biological processes.

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Recent questions

  • What are glycoproteins?

    Proteins with sugars linked, vital for cell functions.

  • How are proteoglycans different from glycoproteins?

    Proteoglycans are mainly sugar structures with scattered proteins.

  • How do glycoproteins interact with lectins?

    Lectins bind to glycoproteins through sugars for cell interactions.

  • What is the role of selectins in the body?

    Selectins anchor immune cells for inflammatory responses.

  • How do glycoproteins contribute to immune responses?

    Glycoproteins interact with selectins for immune cell recruitment.

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Summary

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Glycoproteins: Cell Signaling and Adhesion Essentials

  • Glycoproteins are proteins with sugars covalently linked to them, primarily found at the cell surface and involved in cell signaling and adhesion.
  • The creation of glycoproteins starts in the endoplasmic reticulum and is completed in the Golgi apparatus, with many secreted proteins being glycosylated.
  • Glycoproteins have complex carbohydrates outward-facing, resembling a branching tree structure, with the tree expanding and modifying as the protein moves through the Golgi.
  • Proteoglycans, on the other hand, are structures primarily composed of sugars with scattered protein components.
  • The diversity of glycoproteins arises from the various sugar monomers and linkages used, leading to a wide range of glycoproteins with different functions.
  • Glycoproteins interact with lectins, proteins that bind to and recognize glycoproteins through the sugars they carry, facilitating cell-cell interactions.
  • Selectins, a subset of lectins, are found in immune system cells and aid in anchoring these cells at sites of injury for inflammatory responses.
  • The interaction between selectins and glycoproteins is crucial for various processes, from immune responses to embryo implantation and even the adherence of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
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