OGlykoside

OGlykoside is a term used in carbohydrate chemistry to describe a glycoside where the anomeric carbon atom is a glycosidic bond. Glycosides are formed when a carbohydrate, known as a glycone, is bonded to another functional group, called the aglycone, through a glycosidic linkage. The glycone is typically a cyclic hemiacetal or hemiketal. The term "OGlykoside" specifically indicates that the oxygen atom of the hydroxyl group at the anomeric center of the carbohydrate is involved in the glycosidic bond. This is in contrast to other types of glycosides, such as S-glycosides (where sulfur is involved) or N-glycosides (where nitrogen is involved). O-glycosidic bonds are the most common type of glycosidic linkage found in nature. They are crucial for the structure and function of many biological molecules, including polysaccharides like cellulose and starch, and also in glycoproteins and glycolipids. The formation and cleavage of O-glycosidic bonds are catalyzed by enzymes called glycosidases and glycosyltransferases, respectively, playing vital roles in metabolic pathways and cellular recognition.