How Do Cells Communicate?

Glycoproteins

• "Almost without exception, whenever two or more living cells interact in a specific way, cell surface carbohydrates will be involved."¹    
• "About 200 monosaccharides (carbohydrates) are found in nature, however only eight are found in...the chains of glycoproteins."²
• Glycoproteins have a wide distribution in nature and serve a vast number of functions.³
• The sugars that commonly occur in glycoproteins include glucose, galactose,  mannose,   N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetyl-galactosamine,  sialic acid,  fucose,  and  xylose.
  

1. John Hodgson, Bio/Technology, 1990.
2. Murray, R. et. al., Harper's Biochemistry, 1996.
3. Kornfeld, R & Kornfeld S. Annual Rev Biochem  45:217-37. 1976.