Plant Glycobiology – a sweet world of lectins, glycoproteins, glycolipids and glycans

Plant Glycobiology – a sweet world of lectins, glycoproteins, glycolipids and glycans
Author: Els J. M. Van Damme
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Total Pages: 137
Release: 2015-02-12
Genre: Botany
ISBN: 2889194213

Plants synthesize a wide variety of unique glycan structures which play essential roles during the life cycle of the plant. Being omnipresent throughout the plant kingdom, ranging from simple green algae to modern flowering plants, glycans contribute to many diverse processes. Glycans can function as structural components in the plant cell wall, assist in the folding of nascent proteins, act as signaling molecules in plant defense responses or (ER) stress pathways, or serve within the energy metabolism of a plant. In most cases, glycans are attached to other macromolecules to form so-called glycoconjugates (e.g. glycoproteins, proteoglycans and glycolipids), but they can also be present as free entities residing in the plant cell. Next to the broad, complex set of glycans, plants also evolved an elaborate collection of lectins or proteins with a lectin-like domain, which can recognize and bind to endogenous (plants-own) or exogenous (foreign) glycans. Though still poorly understood in plants, the dynamic interactions between lectins and carbohydrate structures are suggested to be involved in gene transcription, protein folding, protein transport, cell adhesion, signaling as well as defense responses. As such, a complex and largely undetermined glycan-interactome is established inside plant cells, between cells and their surrounding matrix, inside the extracellular matrix, and even between organisms. Studying the biological roles of plant glycans will enable to better understand plant development and physiology in order to fully exploit plants for food, feed and production of pharmaceutical proteins. In this Research Topic, we want to provide a platform for articles describing the latest research, perspectives and methodologies related to the fascinating world of plant glycobiology, with a focus on following subjects: 1. Identification and characterization of plant glycans, their biosynthetic and degradation enzymes 2. Characterization of plant lectins and glycoproteins 3. Plant glycans in the plant’s energy metabolism 4. Role of plant glycans in plant defense signaling 5. Use of plant lectins in pest control 6. Plant lectins as new tools in human medicine 7. Glyco-engineering in plants

The Glycome

The Glycome
Author: Adeel Malik
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 305
Release: 2021-07-07
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1000344320

This volume provides a comprehensive understanding of the enigmatic identity of the glycome, a complex but important area of research that has been largely ignored due to its complexity. The authors thoroughly deal with almost all aspects of the glycome, i.e., elucidation of the glycan identity enigma and its role in regulation of the cellular process, and in disease etiology. The book bridges the knowledge gap in understanding the glycome, from being a cell signature to its applications in disease etiology. In addition, it details many of the major insights regarding the possible role of the glycome in various diseases as a therapeutic marker. The book systematically covers the major aspects of the glycome, including the significance of substituting the diverse monosaccharide units to glycoproteins, the role of glycans in disease pathologies, and the challenges and advances in glycobiology. The authors stress the significance and huge encoding power of carbohydrates as well as provide helpful insights in framing the bigger picture. The Glycome: Understanding the Diversity and Complexity of Glycobiology details state-of-the-art developments and emerging challenges of glycome biology, which are going to be key areas of future research, not only in the glycobiology field but also in pharmaceutics.

Essentials of Glycobiology

Essentials of Glycobiology
Author: Ajit Varki
Publisher: CSHL Press
Total Pages: 694
Release: 1999
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9780879696818

Sugar chains (glycans) are often attached to proteins and lipids and have multiple roles in the organization and function of all organisms. "Essentials of Glycobiology" describes their biogenesis and function and offers a useful gateway to the understanding of glycans.

Carbohydrate Recognition

Carbohydrate Recognition
Author: Binghe Wang
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 448
Release: 2011-09-06
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0470592079

This book contains contributions from interdisciplinary scientists to collectively address the issue of targeting carbohydrate recognition for the development of novel therapeutic and diagnostic agents. The book covers (1) biological problems involving carbohydrate recognition, (2) structural factors mediating carbohydrate recognition, (3) design and synthesis of lectin mimics that recognize carbohydrate ligands with high specificity and affinity, and (4) modulation of biological and pathological processes through carbohydrate recognition.

Transforming Glycoscience

Transforming Glycoscience
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 171
Release: 2012-10-23
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309260868

A new focus on glycoscience, a field that explores the structures and functions of sugars, promises great advances in areas as diverse as medicine, energy generation, and materials science, this report finds. Glycans-also known as carbohydrates, saccharides, or simply as sugars-play central roles in many biological processes and have properties useful in an array of applications. However, glycans have received little attention from the research community due to a lack of tools to probe their often complex structures and properties. Transforming Glycoscience: A Roadmap for the Future presents a roadmap for transforming glycoscience from a field dominated by specialists to a widely studied and integrated discipline, which could lead to a more complete understanding of glycans and help solve key challenges in diverse fields.

Plant Lectins

Plant Lectins
Author: A. Pusztai
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 276
Release: 1991
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0521328241

This volume surveys the chemistry, biochemistry, biosynthesis, metabolism and pharmacological properties of lectins. Lectins, which are most commonly found in plants, are widespread natural products with striking biological activities. Their specific ability to recognise and bind to simple or complex saccharides facilitates their role as effective information protein molecules. As agents of cell-to-cell recognition, lectins promote symbiosis between plants and specific nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria. As natural defensive molecules, they can protect plants against predators such as bacteria, fungi and insects. As part of our diet, lectins are powerful exogenous growth factors in the small intestine and influence our health, the digestive function and the bacterial ecology of the alimentary tract. Lectins are also important research tools in preparative biochemistry and cell science.

The Art of Carbohydrate Analysis

The Art of Carbohydrate Analysis
Author: Gerrit J. Gerwig
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 362
Release: 2021-10-23
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 303077791X

The growing importance of glycobiology and carbohydrate chemistry in modern biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry makes accurate carbohydrate analysis indispensable. This book provides the principles and protocols of various fundamental carbohydrate analysis methods. Choice of method is entirely dependent upon the type of material being investigated (biological samples, food products, etc.), and the level of structural detail required, i.e. sugar content, compositional analysis, linkages between the sugar components, or the total chemical structure of a given molecule. Full structural characterization of carbohydrate chains requires significant time, resources, and skill in several methods of analysis; no single technique can address all glycan analysis needs. This book summarizes several existing analytical techniques (both chemical and physical) in an introductory volume designed for the non-expert researcher or novice scientist. While background in carbohydrate chemistry is assumed, all information necessary to understanding the described techniques is addressed in the text.

Food Carbohydrates

Food Carbohydrates
Author: Steve W. Cui
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 431
Release: 2005-05-23
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0203485289

Unique in its broad range of coverage, Food Carbohydrates: Chemistry, Physical Properties and Applications is a comprehensive, single-source reference on the science of food carbohydrates. This text goes beyond explaining the basics of food carbohydrates by emphasizing principles and techniques and their practical application in quality control, pr

Bioactive Components in Milk and Dairy Products

Bioactive Components in Milk and Dairy Products
Author: Young W. Park
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 439
Release: 2009-09-15
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0813819490

Although bioactive compounds in milk and dairy products have been extensively studied during the last few decades – especially in human and bovine milks and some dairy products – very few publications on this topic are available, especially in other dairy species’ milk and their processed dairy products. Also, little is available in the areas of bioactive and nutraceutical compounds in bovine and human milks, while books on other mammalian species are non-existent. Bioactive Components in Milk and Dairy Products extensively covers the bioactive components in milk and dairy products of many dairy species, including cows, goats, buffalo, sheep, horse, camel, and other minor species. Park has assembled a group of internationally reputed scientists in the forefront of functional milk and dairy products, food science and technology as contributors to this unique book. Coverage for each of the various dairy species includes: bioactive proteins and peptides; bioactive lipid components; oligosaccharides; growth factors; and other minor bioactive compounds, such as minerals, vitamins, hormones and nucleotides, etc. Bioactive components are discussed for manufactured dairy products, such as caseins, caseinates, and cheeses; yogurt products; koumiss and kefir; and whey products. Aimed at food scientists, food technologists, dairy manufacturers, nutritionists, nutraceutical and functional foods specialists, allergy specialists, biotechnologists, medical and health professionals, and upper level students and faculty in dairy and food sciences and nutrition, Bioactive Components in Milk and Dairy Products is an important resource for those who are seeking nutritional, health, and therapeutic values or product technology information on milk and dairy products from the dairy cow and speciesbeyond. Areas featured are: Unique coverage of bioactive compounds in milks of the dairy cow and minor species, including goat, sheep, buffalo, camel, and mare Identifies bioactive components and their analytical isolation methods in manufactured dairy products, such as caseins, caseinates, and cheeses; yogurt products; koumiss and kefir; and whey products Essential for professionals as well as biotechnology researchers specializing in functional foods, nutraceuticals, probiotics, and prebiotics Contributed chapters from a team of world-renowned expert scientists