glükoosülatsiooni

Glükoosülatsioon refers to a metabolic process where a glucose molecule is attached to another molecule, typically a protein or lipid. This process is crucial for a wide range of biological functions in living organisms. In eukaryotes, it often occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, involving complex enzymatic machinery.

There are two main types of glucose attachment to proteins: N-linked and O-linked glycosylation. N-linked glycosylation involves the attachment of a pre-assembled oligosaccharide chain to an asparagine residue within a specific amino acid sequence. O-linked glycosylation involves the addition of a single sugar molecule, or a short chain of sugars, to a serine or threonine residue.

Glycosylation plays a vital role in protein folding, stability, and trafficking. It can also influence protein function, cell-cell recognition, immune responses, and signaling pathways. Aberrant glycosylation patterns are associated with various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and inflammatory disorders, making it a significant area of research in biochemistry and medicine.