The roles of enzyme localisation and complex formation in glycan assembly within the Golgi apparatus

Abstract

Cell surface glycans govern numerous cell-cell interactions are therefore key determinants of multicellular biology. They originate from biosynthetic pathways comprising an assembly line of glycosyltransferases within the Golgi compartment. Although the mechanisms of Golgi enzyme localisation are still under debate, the distribution of these enzymes among the Golgi cisternae can dictate the overall structures produced by the cell. Fine-tuning of glycan biosynthetic pathways is further accomplished by specific associations among glycosyltransferases. Together, localisation and association govern the assembly of complex glycans and thereby regulate interactions at the cell surface.