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Review
. 2015 Jul;40(7):351-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2015.04.004. Epub 2015 May 20.

Glycan variation and evolution in the eukaryotes

Anthony P Corfield  1 , Monica Berry  2
Affiliations
Review

Glycan variation and evolution in the eukaryotes

Anthony P Corfield et al. Trends Biochem Sci. 2015 Jul.

Abstract

In this review, we document the evolution of common glycan structures in the eukaryotes, and illustrate the considerable variety of oligosaccharides existing in these organisms. We focus on the families of N- and O-glycans, glycosphingolipids, glycosaminoglycans, glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors, sialic acids (Sias), and cytoplasmic and nuclear glycans. We also outline similar and divergent aspects of the glycans during evolution within the groups, which include inter- and intraspecies differences, molecular mimicry, viral glycosylation adaptations, glycosyltransferase specificity relating to function, and the natural dynamism powering these events. Finally, we present an overview of the patterns of glycosylation found within the groups comprising the Eukaryota, namely the Deuterostomia, Fungi, Viridiplantae, Nematoda, and Arthropoda.

Keywords: eukaryotes; evolution; glycan; glycosylation; glycosyltransferase; molecular mimicry.

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