Insights into the structure and function of membrane-integrated processive glycosyltransferases.
Complex carbohydrates perform essential functions in life, including energy storage, cell signaling, protein targeting, quality control, as well as supporting cell structure and stability. Extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) represent mainly structural polymers and are found in essentially all kingdoms of life. For example, EPS are important biofilm and capsule components in bacteria, represent major constituents in cell walls of fungi, algae, arthropods and plants, and modulate the extracellular matrix in vertebrates. Different mechanisms evolved by which EPS are synthesized. Here, we review the structures and functions of membrane-integrated processive glycosyltransferases (GTs) implicated in the synthesis and secretion of chitin, alginate, hyaluronan and poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG).
Center for Membrane Biology, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, 480 Ray C. Hunt Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22908, United States.
Yunchen
Y
Bi
Center for Membrane Biology, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, 480 Ray C. Hunt Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22908, United States.
Caitlin
C
Hubbard
Center for Membrane Biology, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, 480 Ray C. Hunt Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22908, United States.
Pallinti
P
Purushotham
Center for Membrane Biology, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, 480 Ray C. Hunt Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22908, United States. Electronic address: jochen_zimmer@virginia.edu.
Jochen
J
Zimmer
D000818:Animals; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002687:Chitin Synthase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D016695:Glycosyltransferases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D054730:Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D001704:Biopolymers; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011134:Polysaccharides; D016695:Glycosyltransferases; D002687:Chitin Synthase