The manifold roles of sialic acid for the biological functions of endothelial glycoproteins. (10th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: D'Addio, Marco; Frey, Jasmin; Otto, Vivianne I
• Is Part Of: Glycobiology. Volume 30:Number 8(2020)
• Page Start: 490
• Page End: 499
• Publication Date: 2020-02-10
• Subjects: biophysical properties -- endothelial cells -- glycan-binding proteins -- sialic acid -- vascular system; Glycoproteins -- Periodicals; Glycolipids -- Periodicals; Glycoconjugates -- Periodicals; 572.567
• DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwaa008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6658

Abstract

Abstract: Vascular endothelia are covered with a dense glycocalix that is heavily sialylated. Sialylation of vascular glycoconjugates is involved in the regulation of cell–cell interactions, be it among endothelial cells at cell junctions or between endothelial and blood-borne cells. It also plays important roles in modulating the binding of soluble ligands and the signaling by vascular receptors. Here, we provide an overview over the sialylation-function relationships of glycoproteins expressed in the blood and lymphatic vasculature. We first describe cellular interactions in which sialic acid contributes in a stereospecific manner to glycan epitopes recognized by glycan-binding proteins. Our major focus is however on the rarely discussed examples of vascular glycoproteins whose biological functions are modulated by sialylation through other mechanisms.