alphaLfucosyl

alphaLfucosyl refers to an alpha-linked fucose residue attached to another molecule. Fucose is a deoxy sugar, a six-carbon monosaccharide, and its alpha linkage describes the orientation of the bond between the anomeric carbon of fucose and the hydroxyl group of the acceptor molecule. This type of glycosidic linkage is commonly found in biological systems, particularly in glycoproteins and glycolipids.

In glycoproteins, alphaLfucosyl residues can be found on the asparagine-linked (N-linked) glycans or on the serine/threonine-linked (O-linked) glycans. Their presence and position can significantly impact the structure, function, and recognition properties of the glycoprotein. For example, alphaLfucosyl moieties are important components of the human ABO blood group antigens. They also play a role in cell-cell recognition, immune responses, and pathogen binding.

In glycolipids, alphaLfucosyl groups are part of the carbohydrate head groups and contribute to cell surface recognition and signaling. The specific alpha linkage, such as alpha(1->2), alpha(1->3), or alpha(1->4), determines the precise structure and biological activity of the glycoconjugate. Enzymes called fucosyltransferases are responsible for catalyzing the formation of these alphaLfucosyl linkages. Aberrant expression of alphaLfucosyl structures has been associated with various diseases, including cancer and inflammatory disorders.