Abstract Many different theories have been advanced concerning the biological roles of the oligosaccharide units of individual classes of glycoconjugates. Analysis of the evidence indicates that while all of these theories are correct, exceptions to each can also be found. The biological roles of oligosaccharides appear to span the spectrum from those that are trivial, to those that are crucial for the development, growth, function or survival of an organism. Some general principles emerge. First, it is difficult to predict a priori the functions a given oligosaccharide on a given glycoconjugate might be mediating, or their relative importance to the organism. Second, the same oligosaccharide sequence may mediate different functions at different locations within the same organism, or at different times in its ontogeny or life cycle. Third, the more specific and crucial biological roles of oligosaccharides are often mediated by unusual oligosaccharide sequences, unusual presentations of common terminal sequences, or by further modifications of the sugars themselves. However, such oligosaccharide sequences are also more likely to be targets for recognition by pathogenic toxins and microorganisms. As such, they are subject to more intra- and inter-species variation because of ongoing host—pathogen interactions during evolution. In the final analysis, the only common features of the varied functions of oligosaccharides are that they either mediate ‘specific recognition’ events or that they provide ‘modulation’ of biological processes. In so doing, they generate much of the functional diversity required for the development and differentiation of complex organisms, and for their interactions with other organisms in the environment.
Biological roles of oligosaccharides: all of the theories are correct
Published 1993 in Glycobiology
ABSTRACT
PUBLICATION RECORD
- Publication year
1993
- Venue
Glycobiology
- Publication date
1993-04-01
- Fields of study
Biology, Medicine
- Identifiers
- External record
- Source metadata
Semantic Scholar, PubMed
CITATION MAP
EXTRACTION MAP
CLAIMS
CONCEPTS
- context-dependent oligosaccharide function
A mechanism where one oligosaccharide sequence supports different effects depending on location, ontogeny, or life-cycle timing.
- intra- and inter-species variation
Differences in oligosaccharide sequence patterns found within a species and between species in the context described.
- oligosaccharide common functional modes
The two broad oligosaccharide action classes repeatedly identified as specific recognition and modulation of biological processes.
Aliases: specific recognition, modulation of biological processes
- oligosaccharide functional importance spectrum
The graded range of biological significance assigned to oligosaccharide functions, from minor roles to essential roles in development and survival.
Aliases: trivial to crucial roles
- oligosaccharide units
Carbohydrate chain motifs that decorate glycoconjugates and can influence biological outcomes.
Aliases: oligosaccharides
- pathogen and toxin recognition
Targeting or binding of oligosaccharide motifs by pathogenic microorganisms or toxins.
Aliases: pathogenic toxins, microorganisms
- theories of oligosaccharide biological roles
Proposed explanatory models describing how oligosaccharide moieties contribute to biological function.
- unusual oligosaccharide sequences
Atypical oligosaccharide patterns, unusual terminal presentations, or additional sugar modifications linked to specific functional outcomes.
Aliases: unusual terminal sequences, modified sugars