glycoproteins
Carbohydrate-decorated protein chains
Glycoproteins are proteins with carbohydrate chains attached to them.
They perform crucial functions throughout biology—forming protective mucus layers, enabling cell-to-cell recognition, and allowing immune cells to identify foreign invaders.
Many hormones, antibodies, and cell surface markers are glycoproteins.
The sugar components often determine how the protein folds and where it goes in the body.
Sugar-binding proteins
Chained sugar molecule
- carbohydrateSugar or starch compound
- asparagineAmide-bearing amino acid
- serineProtein-forming amino acid
- threonineEssential amino acid
galactose · glucose · monosaccharide · N-glycan · branching
Thin tissue sheet
- endoplasmic reticulumCytoplasmic membrane network for synthesis
- Golgi apparatusProtein processing organelle
- secretionSubstance released by glands
- traffickingIllegal transport for profit
vesicle · lumen · signal peptide · quality control · folding · chaperone
Proteins targeting pathogens
- immunoglobulinsProtective blood proteins
- antigensImmunity-triggering foreign substances
- vaccinesPreparations conferring immunity
- cytokinesImmune signaling proteins
Molecule that binds centrally
- signalingConveying information nonverbally
- transductionSignal or energy transformation
- bindingLegally or morally required
- affinityNatural liking or attraction
activation · hormone receptor · phosphorylation · endocytosis · membrane-bound
Plasma protein for coagulation
- prothrombinThrombin's inactive precursor
- clotting factorsProteins enabling blood coagulation
- coagulationLiquid solidifying into mass
- serumBlood's watery portion
lectins
Sugar-binding proteins
polysaccharide
Chained sugar molecule
- carbohydrateSugar or starch compound
- asparagineAmide-bearing amino acid
- serineProtein-forming amino acid
threonine · galactose · glucose · monosaccharide · N-glycan · branching
membrane
Thin tissue sheet
- endoplasmic reticulumCytoplasmic membrane network for synthesis
- Golgi apparatusProtein processing organelle
- secretionSubstance released by glands
trafficking · vesicle · lumen · signal peptide · quality control · folding · chaperone
antibodies
Proteins targeting pathogens
- immunoglobulinsProtective blood proteins
- antigensImmunity-triggering foreign substances
- vaccinesPreparations conferring immunity
cytokines · interferons · complement · viral envelope · neutralization
ligand
Molecule that binds centrally
- signalingConveying information nonverbally
- transductionSignal or energy transformation
- bindingLegally or morally required
affinity · activation · hormone receptor · phosphorylation · endocytosis · membrane-bound
fibrinogen
Plasma protein for coagulation
- prothrombinThrombin's inactive precursor
- clotting factorsProteins enabling blood coagulation
- coagulationLiquid solidifying into mass
serum · hemostasis · platelet
deglycosylation
Carbohydrate chain removal
- trimmingCutting away excess
- processingSystematic operation on data