Other related information : Functions of Glycans 

Since 1980, basic research on sugar chains has progressed rapidly, and sugar chains play important roles in and outside the body. A number of examples have been reported (table below). While these basic researches will continue to be actively pursued in the future, applied research using them is also progressing gradually. One example is the application to diagnosis and treatment. Methods for preventing and treating infections by controlling the function of sugar chains (glycopharmaceuticals, artificial proteins) and methods for diagnosing disease-specific changes in sugar chains are being developed. 

 

Sugar Chain - related features Relevant substance 1  Relevant substance 2  Application
Bacterial Infection Cell surface Glycans Bacterial Lectins 
E.coli Adhesin
Infection Control
Viral Infection Cell surface sugar Viral Lectin Influenza Virus
Hepatits B virus
Cell surface Lectin CD4
  brain
  membrane
 
Protozoan parasitism, Infection Cell surface sugar Adhesion molecules of protozoa 
Malaria
 
Binding of toxins Cell surface sugar Toxin
Vibrio Cholerae etc
 
Hormone Binding Cell surface Glycans Hormones  
Fertilization Sperm receptor Vitelline membrane recognition
Molecule Glycosyltransferase
 
Developmental Differentiation Cell surface Glycans    
Blood Cell differentiation Cell surface Glycans    
Protein Clearance Asialoglycoprotein    Lectins in animals
Galactose-binding protein
 DDS
Intracellular transport of enzymes

Glycans of lysosomal enzymes

Mannose 6-phosphate

 Mannose 6-phosphate receptor

 
Protein Stability Glycan   Proteases etc  
Leukocyte Adhesion
(Inflammatory response, immune response)

 Leukocyte

Lymphocyte surface sugar chain

Vascular endothelial cell

Inflammatory site E-selectin   
Cancer cell metastasis

Cancer cell

sugar chain 

Vascular endothelial cell 

Selectin

 Diagnostics Vaccine Development
Apoptosis   Cell surface glycans  

 References
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