What Are the Main Types of Protein Glycosylation
Protein glycosylation is a crucial cellular process involving the covalent attachment of one or more sugar moieties to protein molecules. The major types of glycosylation include the following:
1. N-Linked Glycosylation
This type of glycosylation occurs on the nitrogen atom of the asparagine side chain within specific consensus sequences. In N-linked glycosylation, an oligosaccharide is initially covalently attached to the nascent polypeptide chain and subsequently modified and matured in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus.
2. O-Linked Glycosylation
This modification occurs on the oxygen atom of serine or threonine residues. O-linked glycosylation typically takes place in the Golgi apparatus, and its biosynthetic process is generally more straightforward compared to that of N-linked glycosylation.
3. Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) Anchor
GPI anchors are glycolipid structures that tether proteins to the cell membrane via an amide linkage to the protein’s C-terminus. These anchors can be cleaved from the associated glycoproteins by specific phospholipases, allowing for regulated protein release.
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