Department of Plant Biotechnology

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VU BIC 101 Fundamentals of Biochemistry (2+1)

Lecture - 5
Glycoprotein
 Glycoprotein
• Glycoproteins are proteins that contain
oligosaccharide chains (glycans) covalently
attached to polypeptide side-chains.

• They are classified into three groups:

1. N-linkage (N -acetylglucosamine to asparagine)

2. O-linkage (N -acetylgalactosamine to serine)
3. Glycosyl-phosphatidyl-inositol (GPI) linkage
• N-Glycosidic linkage (ie, N-linked), involving the amide
nitrogen of asparagine and N -acetylglucosamine
(GlcNAc-Asn)

• O-Glycosidic linkage (ie, O-linked), involving the

hydroxyl side chain of serine or threonine and a sugar
such as N -acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc-Ser[Thr])

• Glycosyl-phosphatidyl-inositol (GPI) linkage:Linked to

the carboxyl terminal amino acid of a protein via a
phosphoryl-ethanolamine moiety joined to an
oligosaccharide (glycan), linked via glucosamine to
phosphatidylinositol (PI).
Functions:
• They act as receptors on cell surfaces that
bring other cells and proteins (collagen)
together giving strength and support to a
matrix.
• In certain bacteria the slime layer that
surrounds the outermost components of cell
walls are made up of glycoproteins of high
molecular weight.
Protection:
• High molecular weight polymers called mucins
are found on internal epithelial surfaces.
• They form a highly viscous gel that protects
epithelium form chemical, physical, and
microbial disturbances. Examples of mucin
sites are the human digestive tract, urinary
tract, and respiratory tracts.
• Mucins are also found on the outer body
surfaces of fish to protect the skin.
Reproduction:
• Glycoproteins found on the surface of spermatozoa appear
to increase a sperm cell's attraction for the egg by altering
the electrophoretic mobility of the plasma membrane. 
Hormones:
• There are many glycoproteins that function as hormones
such as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) which is
present in human pregnancy urine.
• Another example is erythropoietin which regulates
erythrocyte production.
Enzymes:
• Glycoprotein enzymes are of three types. These are:
oxidoreductases, transferases, and hydrolases.
Clinical Significances of Glycoproteins:
Glycoproteins on cell surfaces are important for
communication between cells, for maintaining
cell structure and for self-recognition by the
immune system.
lectin
 lectin
Introduction
• They are carbohydrate binding proteins that are highly
specific for sugar moieties.
• Discovered by Peter Hermann Stillmark in1888.
• Isolated ricin (toxic hemaglutinin) from seeds of castor plant

Structure and binding interaction

• Lectins are tetramer made up of 4 nearly identical subunits.
• Made up of carbohydrate binding proteins, They are highly
specific to carbohydrate moieties .
• The binding of lectins is reversible and Non covalent with
carbohydrate conjugates
Biological activities:

• Lectins perform recognition on the cellular and

molecular level involving cells , carbohydrates and
proteins.
• Mediate attachment and binding of bacteria and viruses
to their intended targets.
• Responsible for sugar transport or carbohydrate storage.
• Symbiotic & pathogenic interaction between
microorganisms.
• Tomato lectins bind to mucosal cells and resist
denaturation by acids and enzymes.
Clinical significance
• A decrease in the availability of the normal subunit protein
may lead to a “Reduction of the functional mannose-binding
lectin in blood.” With decreased levels of mannose-binding
lectin, the body does not recognize and fight foreign invaders
efficiently.
Questions
 MCQs
1. How many types of glycoprotein?
a) 4 b) 5
c) 3 d) 2
2. Glycoproteins are mainly contains
a) Monosaccharide b) Disaccharides
c) Oligosaccharide d) non the above
3. High molecular weight polymers called
a) Mucinb) Lectin
c) glycine d) Non the above
 Fill in the blanks
1. Lectin discovered by _________.
2. Glycoprotein enzymes are of three types
__________.
3. Human pregnancy involved glycoprotein
called _________.
4. The binding of lectins is _________with
carbohydrate conjugates.
 Match the following
1. Glycoprotein - a) N-acetylglucosamine
to asparagine
2. Lectin - b) Toxic hemaglutinin
3. ricin - c) N-acetylgalactosamine
to serine
4. N-linkage -d) Tetramer
5. O-linkage -e) Oligosaccharide
 Descriptive questions
1. Write a short note on Glycoprotein and their
types.
2. Explain the clinical significance of
Glycoprotein.
3. Write a short note on lectin ?
4. Write a short note on biological activites of
lectin.