glykosylované

Glykosylované refers to a molecule that has undergone glycosylation, a process where a carbohydrate molecule is attached to another molecule, typically a protein or lipid. This covalent attachment of a glycan (a chain of sugars) to a protein is known as N-linked glycosylation if it attaches to an asparagine residue, or O-linked glycosylation if it attaches to a serine or threonine residue. Glycosylation of lipids is called glycosylceramide formation.

Glycosylation is a crucial post-translational modification in many biological systems. It plays a vital role in protein folding, stability, and function. Glycans can influence how a protein interacts with other molecules, its solubility, and its lifespan within a cell. For instance, many secreted and membrane-bound proteins are glycosylated.

The process of glycosylation is complex and occurs in specific cellular compartments, such as the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus. The resulting glycans can vary significantly in structure, from simple monosaccharides to highly branched complex oligosaccharides. This structural diversity contributes to the wide range of functions glycosylation can mediate.

Glycosylated molecules are involved in numerous biological processes, including cell-cell recognition, immune responses, and pathogen binding. Aberrant glycosylation patterns are often associated with various diseases, including cancer and inflammatory disorders, making the study of glycosylation an important area in glycobiology and medicine.