N-linked glycosylation

N-linked glycosylation is a critical biological process that involves the attachment of a glycan (sugar molecule) to a nitrogen atom in the amino acid asparagine, found in a protein. This process is a form of protein modification that can influence the protein's function, stability, and cellular location.

Process

N-linked glycosylation occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus of a cell. The process begins in the ER, where a pre-assembled oligosaccharide is transferred to the nascent protein. This oligosaccharide is then modified as the protein travels through the ER and Golgi apparatus. The final glycosylated protein can have a variety of complex structures, depending on the specific modifications that have occurred.

Function

The addition of a glycan to a protein can have several effects on the protein's properties. It can influence the protein's folding, stability, and function. It can also serve as a signal for the protein's cellular location. For example, certain glycans can direct a protein to the cell surface or to specific organelles within the cell.

Clinical significance

Abnormalities in N-linked glycosylation can lead to a variety of diseases, known as congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG). These disorders can affect many different systems in the body, leading to symptoms such as developmental delay, organ dysfunction, and neurological problems.

See also

• O-linked glycosylation
• Glycoprotein
• Glycosylation

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