N-Acetylglucosamine Functions in Cell Signaling
Author
Source
Issue
Vol. 2012, Issue 2012 (31 Dec. 2012), pp.1-15, 15 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2012-12-05
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
15
Main Subjects
Natural & Life Sciences (Multidisciplinary)
Diseases
Abstract EN
The amino sugar N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) is well known for the important structural roles that it plays at the cell surface.
It is a key component of bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan, fungal cell wall chitin, and the extracellular matrix of animal cells.
Interestingly, recent studies have also identified new roles for GlcNAc in cell signaling.
For example, GlcNAc stimulates the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans to undergo changes in morphogenesis and expression of virulence genes.
Pathogenic E.
coli responds to GlcNAc by altering the expression of fimbriae and CURLI fibers that promote biofilm formation and GlcNAc stimulates soil bacteria to undergo changes in morphogenesis and production of antibiotics.
Studies with animal cells have revealed that GlcNAc influences cell signaling through the posttranslational modification of proteins by glycosylation.
O-linked attachment of GlcNAc to Ser and Thr residues regulates a variety of intracellular proteins, including transcription factors such as NFκB, c-myc, and p53.
In addition, the specificity of Notch family receptors for different ligands is altered by GlcNAc attachment to fucose residues in the extracellular domain.
GlcNAc also impacts signal transduction by altering the degree of branching of N-linked glycans, which influences cell surface signaling proteins.
These emerging roles of GlcNAc as an activator and mediator of cellular signaling in fungi, animals, and bacteria will be the focus of this paper.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Konopka, James B.. 2012. N-Acetylglucosamine Functions in Cell Signaling. Scientifica،Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-15.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-475650
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Konopka, James B.. N-Acetylglucosamine Functions in Cell Signaling. Scientifica No. 2012 (2012), pp.1-15.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-475650
American Medical Association (AMA)
Konopka, James B.. N-Acetylglucosamine Functions in Cell Signaling. Scientifica. 2012. Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-15.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-475650
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-475650