Carbohydrate Recognition

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.

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.

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.

In the last decade there has been a great expansion in our knowledge of the existence, nature and functions of mammalian carbohydrate binding proteins. This book covers the structures and postulated functions for the major classes of mammalian carbohydrate binding proteins. These include intracellular lectins involved in diverse functions such as protein synthesis quality control, targetting of lysosomal enzymes and in the secretory pathway. In addition, several chapters are devoted to other major families of lectins that are found at the cell surface or in extracellular fluids which are involved in various recognition functions such as cell-cell interactions in inflammation and recognition of pathogen carbohydrates in host defence.

Recognition of carbohydrates in biological systems has been gaining more and more attention in recent years. Although methodology for studying recognition has been developing, there is no volume that covers the wide area of methodology of carbohydrate recognition. This volume, Recognition of Carbohydrates in Biological Systems, Part B: Specific Applications, and its companion, Volume 362, present state-of-the-art methodologies, as well as the most recent biological observations in this area. Covers carbohydrate-binding proteins Discusses glycoproteins and glycolipids Polysaccharides, enzymes and cells are also covered

Contributors to this volume explore the role of carbohydrates in communication between cells of multicellular organisms. Topics covered include the thermodynamics and spatial restrictions of oligosaccharide-protein interactions, the role of carbohydrates in recognition and as components of cell adhesion molecules, and abnormal glycosylation in several disease states.

Recognition of carbohydrates in biological systems has been gaining more and more attention in recent years. Although methodology for studying recognition has been developing, there is no volume that covers the wide area of methodology of carbohydrate recognition. This volume, Recognition of Carbohydrates in Biological Systems, Part A: General Procedures, and its companion, Volume 363, present state-of-the-art methodologies, as well as the most recent biological observations in this area. Covers the isolation/synthesis of substances used in studying interactions involving carbohydrates Discussed the methodology for measuring such interactions Biological roles for such interactions are also covered