Glykaaniketjut

Glykaaniketjut, often referred to as glycans or oligosaccharides, are complex carbohydrate chains formed by monosaccharide units linked together. These chains are fundamental to many biological processes and play crucial roles in cell recognition, cell adhesion, immune responses, and protein folding. They can be linear or branched structures. Glycans are attached to proteins (forming glycoproteins) or lipids (forming glycolipids) on the surface of cells, as well as being secreted into the extracellular matrix. The specific sequence and branching pattern of the monosaccharides in a glycan chain determine its biological function. These structures are synthesized by enzymes called glycosyltransferases and are essential for the proper functioning of virtually all living organisms. Alterations in glycan structures are associated with various diseases, including cancer and infectious diseases, making them important targets for therapeutic intervention and diagnostic research.